Potatoes and ham that go for a swim in a delicious cream sauce before being baked in the oven is a favorite of many. Unfortunately, when trying to watch your weight, it can also be one of the most difficult dishes to give up. Luckily, as you'll see in the recipe that follows, you might not have to. Just substitute those potatoes for healthy and nutritious cauliflower instead.
In this recipe, a cheese sauce is quickly made that will enrobe the cauliflower and ham as it cooks. Of course, you can always use a concentrated cream soup in place of the béchamel. But when trying to keep things healthy, it's usually best to make it yourself. And it really does take just a few minutes. Plus, when you make it yourself it's so much tastier, adding to the overall deliciousness of this comforting casserole!
How to Make Ham and Cauliflower Casserole
6
5 minutes
55 minutes
1 hour
4 cups cauliflower florets
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup milk
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/2 cup sour cream
2 cups ham, cubed
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Grease a 9" x 13" casserole dish and preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Place two inches of water into a large pot and place a steamer basket inside. Place the cauliflower florets into the steamer basket and cover with a lid.
Heat the pan to high and steam cauliflower for about 5 minutes, until crisp-tender.
While cauliflower is steaming, melt butter in a separate saucepan over medium heat.
Add flour to the butter and whisk to thoroughly incorporate.
Slowly add cream and milk to the butter mixture, whisking as you do to prevent lumps from forming.
Bring milk and cream mixture to a boil and then lower heat and simmer for about 5 minutes, until thickened.
Remove cream mixture from heat and stir in sour cream and mozzarella cheese until melted.
In a large bowl combine the steamed cauliflower, ham, and cheese sauce. Pour into the prepared casserole dish.
Sprinkle with black pepper and spread evenly.
Place the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes until all the casserole is hot and bubbling throughout.