Here's a delicious ham and cauliflower casserole that's super easy to prepare. It's the perfect way to repurpose leftover ham!
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💛 Why you'll love it
If you have leftover ham, then you need this recipe. It's a delicious way to reuse all that ham so that you enjoy it again. We all need recipes that repurpose food in a new way.
This ham casserole is filled with crispy yet tender cauliflower florets and covered in a tantalizing cream sauce. Then, it's all topped with shredded cheddar cheese.
The cheese gets all melted and gooey within this low-carb cauliflower casserole with ham. It's the perfect way to use up any leftover ham from the holidays. Or, you could use deli ham if you don't have leftovers from a large baked ham.
Even if you are just looking for a fun new side dish, this ham and cheese recipe is perfect!
📋 INGREDIENTS
For this leftover ham casserole, I use really easy ingredients to find. Here's a bit more information about what I used.
Ham
As long as the ham is made without a sugary glaze, you can use it. If you use country ham, I suggest not adding more salt to the recipe.
Here's my recipe for keto glazed ham!
Cauliflower
Use either fresh cauliflower or frozen cauliflower florets. You can even add in some broccoli florets to mix things up.
Cheese
Any type of cheese will work perfectly in this casserole. Shredded cheddar is the easiest to find and use.
I chose to use taco cheese in this cheesy low-carb ham casserole because it has a nice spicy flavor. Honestly, regular cheddar cheese goes well too.
Egg
The egg is used as a binding agent to keep everything in this casserole together.
Milk
I used both unsweetened almond milk and heavy cream. This milk mixture gives a deep flavor profile to the dish!
Spices
I kept this casserole basic and just used some dried minced onion and garlic powder.
Pork Rinds
The crushed pork rinds are optional. I added them on top to give the leftover ham casserole a lovely crunch. You can also top it off with some keto breadcrumbs!
Please note: Check out the recipe card at the bottom for a full list of ingredients used to make this low-carb recipe.
💭 TIPS
- Add fresh veggies. Be creative and make this dish with your favorite low-carb vegetables.
- Add an additional egg. If you want the ingredients to stick together more, just add another egg.
- To make it dairy-free, use almond milk. Replace the cream with unsweetened almond milk and a pinch of xanthan gum to thicken it!
🔪 INSTRUCTIONS
Here's how to make your leftover ham casserole easily in the oven. All the complete instructions for this casserole recipe are in the printable card at the bottom of this post.
Pre-cook the cauliflower
First, preheat the oven so that it will be ready when you need to bake the casserole.
Then, either steam the fresh cauliflower in boiling water on the stove or in the microwave. You just want them to be crisp-tender.
Mix ham and cauliflower
Then, mix your cauliflower with some keto ham. I chopped it into small bite-sized, diced pieces.
Stir milk mixture
In a separate mixing bowl, stir the milk, cream, and spices together. Then, add it to the ham and cauliflower mixture in your casserole dish.
Add cheese to ham and cauliflower casserole
Next, add the cheese to the casserole. It's best to shred the cheese yourself because pre-shredded cheese has added starch to keep the shredded cheese from clumping together.
Some dried minced onion and garlic powder rounded out the taste.
Top with pork rinds and more cheese
A little bit of grated cheddar cheese was saved to sprinkle on top. I also added some crushed pork rinds, but you can leave those out if you'd like.
🍽️ SERVING SUGGESTIONS
This is one of my favorite side dishes because it goes with almost any main entree you prepare. It will taste perfect for breakfast alongside some keto biscuits and gravy!
Or, prepare some cauliflower rice and low-carb baked beans for a filling and delicious dinner.
📒 VARIATIONS
This is such a simple recipe, so there are a lot of different variations and changes you can make that will still taste delicious.
Instead of cauliflower, make ham and broccoli. You can change it up and make a broccoli casserole with fresh broccoli florets. You can use frozen broccoli too!
Add some sour cream and mustard powder to give it a tangier taste. If you want the casserole to be thicker and richer, add some softened cream cheese!
🙋 FAQS
Before we get to the printable recipe card, here are some questions people often ask about how to make this ham and cheese casserole.
You can buy ham straight from the deli counter or buy ham steaks from the meat section of the grocery store. However, when you buy ham, always read the ingredients label. Do not buy ham that has sugar as one of the ingredients.
Yes, ham is keto-friendly meat - as long as you make sure not to eat ham that is covered in a maple or sugar glaze. By itself, ham is just like any other type of meat.
Store leftover keto ham casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This side dish will stay fresh for up to three days.
if you have a larger family to feed. It's a simple meal to make for dinner on weeknights or busy weekends.
📚 RELATED RECIPES
If you enjoyed this keto ham and cauliflower casserole recipe, here are some more easy casserole recipes and keto side dishes you should make next. They are some of my favorites!
- Keto Taco Pie is an entire meal in one dish, layered with cheese, ground beef, and lots of spices.
- Chicken Broccoli Casserole with Cream Cheese is so rich and filling and compliments any meal.
- Low Carb Chicken Green Bean Casserole is another light and creamy casserole that kids love.
- Keto Hamburger Cabbage Casserole is a creative and tasty way to cook cabbage.
- Philly Cheesesteak Casserole is packed with peppers and lots of cheese - and it only has 4 grams of net carbs per serving.
📖 Recipe
Cheesy Ham and Cauliflower Casserole
Video
Ingredients
- 1 pound ham
- 16 oz bag frozen cauliflower or mix with broccoli
- 2 cups taco or cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 egg
- ½ cup almond milk
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 Tablespoon dried minced onion
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ cup crushed pork rinds optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325F.
- Microwave cauliflower 5 minutes.
- Mix ham and cauliflower in 9x13 casserole dish.
- Beat egg with milk, cream, dried onion and garlic powder.
- Stir egg mixture into ham and cauliflower.
- Reserve ½ cheese.
- Mix remaining 1 ½ cups cheese with other ingredients.
- Top mixture with reserved cheese and crushed pork rinds, if desired.
- Bake for 40 minutes.
Low Carb Sweeteners | Keto Sweetener Conversion Chart
Nutrition
Additional Info
Note on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts as it has been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
Unauthorized use of this material without written permission from Lisa MarcAurele is strictly prohibited unless for personal offline purposes.
Single photos may be used, provided that full credit is given to LowCarbYum.com along with a link back to the original content.
First published on May 16, 2011. Post updated on May 24, 2022, with additional recipe information and new photos.
rainman
Followed recipe in the book, Low Carb Yum SIMPLE KETO MEALS FOR BEGINNERS, and was VERY disappointed. I will try this recipe probably again in the future BUT with the recipe on-line. The result from the book was too watery and onion tasting dominant (fresh onion chopped medium to fine). I can see the difference now between the recipe on-line and the book. However, so far my wife and I are EXTREMELY pleased with the recipes in the book. This is by far the BEST Keto recipe book that I have purchased over the past couple of years. We intend to continue with some of our "favorites" after KETO for maintenance UNLESS Lisa Marcaurele prints a book for "after SIMPLE KETO".
Lisa MarcAurele
So sorry the cookbook recipe didn't work out. There were some errors found and that was one of them. This version should work out better.
Elayne Creighton
I can tell if I ate the portion sizes in your recipes, I too would lose. However, I can't imagine eating one cup.
However, I make the cabbage ground beef one, and loved it.
Bonnie Ryan
Very easy and delicious used a spicy
BBQ buffalo spiced pork grinds flavor which gave it a little spice/heat have made multiple times now
Kim
Made this last week and it was terrific! Portioned it out for supper meal preps and felt it was even better after 5 days in the fridge! Thanks for such a yummy recipe.
Rhea Powell
Just made this and it came out great- very tasty! I added fresh mushrooms as well and it was yummy.
BoJe
So simple and very tasty. We used cooked fresh cauliflower instead of frozen. I would make again.b
Lisa MarcAurele
Happy that the ham casserole worked out for you! Fresh is always best, but I don't always have it so I use frozen as I keep it in the freezer.
Lynne
Hi Lisa great recipe, can you freeze it after baked?
Thanks!
Lynne
Lisa MarcAurele
I've never froze this one. The cauliflower may get a little mushy but other than that it should be fine.
Liz Pisano
Tried this tonight doubled only the cauliflower...
Really good.... it even got approved by my picky husband.... lol
Any other low carb recipes..... you can suggest..??
Lisa
He may like the cheesy taco skillet recipe too.
Ellen
I made this tonight and everyone loved it, did not have heavy cream or almond milk so I subbed half and half and sprinkled sliced almonds on top, very good.
Cheryl
Lisa, please take me seriously.... 1st do you know IF your adopted? Don't freak on me... heehee.. really I want NOTHING FROM YOU. You look amazingly like my sister .
A twin to my found (24 yrs. later) given up at birth sister. Mother said she had twins on June 25, 1964. On my birthday, only 9 years later, making them the last born from my parents. I'd go on w/the story, but if your certain your not adopted, I don't want to intrude on your life?
I thoroughly enjoy your low carb crock-pot listings. I have fibromyalgia so use the crock pot to be able to still make my wonderful hubby of 43 years still "think" I'm the worlds best cook! Of course him coming from a family who's mom "boiled" everything... yep, even fried chicken...?(poor chicken) it's no wonder a southern farm worker like me could impress him! I have tried to break the chains of the "frying" pan the last 10 years? Sorry for taking up your time, but I'm still looking for my missing sister whom my parents sold into adoption, straight from the Calif. hospital.
Maybe your her? Cheryl
Lisa
Hi Cheryl! I do hope you find your sister. My birth records show that I was born at a hospital in Florida to the parents who raised me. But, I have been told that I look like others so I know we all have twins out there. Surprisingly, I don't have too may crock pot recipes and it could be because my parents have never owned one. The first one I had was given to me when I got married.
Cassie Miller
My husband is doing the keto diet and this is one of our favorite recipes(I did it with the broccoli to add some color)! Thank you so much for sharing this!
Lisa
You're welcome! My picky husband loves this one too!
Raylene Pratt
We made this tonight, my husband added an extra egg, and we used real onion, so yummy!
Lisa
Thanks for sharing! An additional egg will help hold things together better.
Lori
Anxious to try, but want it to be dairy free. Can I omit the cream or substitute it? Thanks.
Lisa
You could sub with all almond milk and add in a thickener like xanthan gum or pureed cauliflower.
Cate
This was really delicious. I made it a few weeks ago using a bag of broccoli only (no cauliflower) because that's what I had on hand, and omitted the optional pork rinds.
The consistency was perfectly creamy and cheesy, a true comfort food casserole. I froze leftovers into lunch portions and they reheated well. This is my number one recipe for leftover Easter ham, but I don't know if I can wait that long before making this again.
Lisa
I need to try this with broccoli!
Jennifer
I made this tonight and doubled everything. It was really soupy. Should it be? Maybe I shouldn't double the liquid mixture. Or use cream cheese to help thicken it? Husband and 3 year old liked it. Thank you.
Lisa
It should have thickened with doubling the eggs. Either reduce liquid or increase eggs.
Sarah
Do you think this could be frozen before baking?
Lisa
I don't see why it couldn't be frozen first.
Mickie Gibbs
I made this tonight with packaged diced ham cubes. It was delish! Very creamy, very tasty, and very much comfort food.
Malainie
This looks so good! Think I'll cut the ham back to 8 oz. and add one cup of chopped green, bell pepper. I, also, found grilled frozen cauliflower at Trader Joe's, I bet would really be good with this! Is that an 8X8 inch casserole dish?
Lisa
Oops. Sorry that I didn't specify the size dish I used. It's a standard 9x13-inch casserole pan.
Cassidy
Lisa,
Do I need to cover this in tin foil when I bake it?
Lisa
You can cover if you want to reduce browning. I did not cover it.
Michelle
I was wineries g if I could use fresh cauliflower instead of frozen in this recipe?
Lisa
Yes. Either fresh or frozen works in this recipe.
Gail Bisho
Lisa,
This looks delicious. I'm going to try it tonight.
Thanks,
Gail
Lisa
Hi Gail! Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.