Contents

Irresistibly Cheesy Low-Carb Broccoli Rice Casserole with Ham: Your New Favorite Comfort Food

Craving a dish that’s both hearty and healthy? Look no further than this incredibly comforting and satisfying Cheesy Low-Carb Broccoli Rice Casserole with Ham. Forget bland, diet-friendly meals – this casserole packs a flavorful punch, making it the perfect family-friendly dinner or meal prep staple. Swapping traditional rice for fluffy cauliflower rice and leaning into the savory goodness of ham instead of chicken, this recipe offers a fresh take on a beloved classic. It’s a complete meal in one dish, brimming with tender broccoli, rich cheese sauce, and succulent ham, all designed to fit seamlessly into your low-carb or keto lifestyle without sacrificing taste.

This casserole isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience. Imagine a golden-brown top, bubbling with melted cheese, giving way to a creamy, veggie-packed interior. Each spoonful delivers a medley of flavors and textures – the slight crispness of perfectly cooked broccoli, the tender bite of cauliflower rice, and the salty richness of diced ham, all enveloped in an irresistible cheese sauce. It’s the kind of dish that brings warmth to your table and smiles to faces, proving that eating low-carb can be utterly delicious and deeply satisfying.

Why This Cheesy Low-Carb Broccoli & Ham Casserole Will Become a Household Favorite

Many of us grew up with the comforting aroma of a classic chicken and rice casserole baking in the oven. This Cheesy Low-Carb Broccoli Rice Casserole with Ham offers a nostalgic twist, reimagining that beloved dish for today’s health-conscious eaters. It’s perfect for those seeking a delicious low-carb alternative, or anyone simply looking to incorporate more vegetables into their diet in an exciting way. The blend of textures – from the tender broccoli florets and delicate cauliflower rice to the savory chunks of ham – creates a symphony in every bite.

What truly sets this casserole apart is its incredible versatility and ease of preparation. It’s a fantastic solution for busy weeknights when you need a wholesome meal on the table in under an hour. Beyond its speed, this dish is a nutritional powerhouse, combining lean protein from the ham with nutrient-dense broccoli and cauliflower. The rich, creamy cheese sauce, seasoned with a thoughtful blend of spices like mustard powder and paprika, elevates the entire experience, transforming simple ingredients into an extraordinary meal that you’ll be eager to bake week after week.

Whether you’re a seasoned keto enthusiast or just starting your low-carb journey, this casserole proves that healthy eating doesn’t mean compromising on taste or satisfaction. It’s a testament to how simple swaps, like using cauliflower rice, can drastically reduce carb counts while maintaining the comforting essence of a traditional casserole. Prepare to fall in love with a dish that effortlessly combines convenience, flavor, and nourishing ingredients.

Mastering Cauliflower Rice: Tips for a Perfect Low-Carb Casserole Base

One of the heroes of this low-carb casserole is cauliflower rice, a fantastic substitute for traditional grains that significantly reduces the carbohydrate content without sacrificing texture. While pre-riced and steamable frozen cauliflower rice are readily available in most grocery stores and certainly convenient, preparing it fresh at home often yields superior results in terms of flavor and consistency.

Why Fresh is Often Best: When you make cauliflower rice from scratch, you have greater control over its moisture content and texture. Frozen cauliflower rice, especially the steamable varieties, tends to hold a lot of water. If this excess moisture isn’t thoroughly removed, it can make your casserole watery and less appealing. A runny casserole means a diluted cheese sauce and a less cohesive dish overall. Therefore, if you opt for frozen cauliflower rice, be sure to squeeze out as much liquid as possible after thawing and cooking it, perhaps even patting it dry with paper towels.

The Food Processor Method: The simplest and most efficient way to make fresh cauliflower rice is by using a food processor. Start by washing and thoroughly drying a head of cauliflower. Remove the core and cut the florets into manageable pieces. Place these florets into your food processor and pulse in short bursts. The key is to pulse, not blend continuously, to avoid turning it into a paste. You’re aiming for a consistency that resembles rice grains – finely chopped, but still distinct.

Cooking for Texture and Flavor: Once you have your cauliflower rice, don’t just add it raw to the casserole. For the best results, cook it briefly in a large skillet with a touch of oil and your favorite seasonings (a pinch of salt and pepper, maybe some garlic powder, works wonders). This quick sauté serves a dual purpose: it helps to evaporate any remaining moisture, preventing a soggy casserole, and it tenderizes the “rice” slightly, ensuring it’s not too crunchy in the final dish. This pre-cooking step also develops a richer, more nuanced flavor, making it a truly integral part of the casserole’s deliciousness.

By taking a few extra minutes to properly prepare your cauliflower rice, you’ll guarantee a casserole that’s perfectly textured, incredibly flavorful, and truly highlights the best of this versatile low-carb ingredient.

The Heart of the Dish: Crafting the Ultimate Cheesy Sauce for Your Casserole

A casserole, especially a comforting one, is only as good as its cheese sauce. In this Cheesy Low-Carb Broccoli Rice Casserole, the sauce isn’t just an accompaniment; it’s the rich, unifying element that binds all the delicious components together. Our recipe utilizes a classic trio: creamy cream cheese, luxurious heavy whipping cream, and sharp cheddar cheese, creating a velvety smooth and intensely flavorful foundation.

Why This Cheese Blend Works: Cream cheese provides an unparalleled creaminess and tang, preventing the sauce from becoming too dense. Heavy whipping cream adds a decadent richness and smooth consistency, essential for a pourable sauce that coats every ingredient beautifully. Finally, sharp cheddar cheese delivers that quintessential, robust cheesy flavor that we all love in a casserole, contributing depth and a satisfying savory note.

Exploring Other Cheesy Possibilities: While our recommended blend is fantastic, feel free to experiment with other cheeses to customize the flavor profile to your liking. When substituting, aim for cheeses with similar melting properties to ensure a smooth sauce. For an extra layer of complexity and a firmer texture, consider incorporating:

Asiago: If you prefer a cheese with a sharper, more piquant “bite,” freshly shredded Asiago is an excellent choice. It melts beautifully and adds a sophisticated flavor dimension.
Gruyere: For a wonderfully nutty and slightly smoky flavor, Gruyere is an ideal candidate. It’s a fantastic melting cheese that imparts a gourmet touch, pairing exceptionally well with both ham and broccoli.
Pecorino Romano: If you’re seeking a bolder, saltier, and distinctly nutty taste, Pecorino Romano will deliver. Use it sparingly, as its flavor is quite potent, or combine it with a milder cheese.
Monterey Jack or Colby: For a milder, more approachable cheese flavor that still melts wonderfully, Monterey Jack or Colby are great alternatives, especially if you have picky eaters.
Provolone or Mozzarella: These Italian cheeses offer excellent meltability and a milder, stretchier texture, perfect for a less intense cheese profile.

The Golden Rule: Shred Your Own Cheese! Regardless of your chosen cheese, there’s one non-negotiable tip for achieving the best flavor and texture: always shred your own cheese from a block. Pre-shredded cheeses often contain anti-caking agents like cellulose or potato starch. While harmless, these additives can prevent the cheese from melting smoothly, resulting in a grainy or clumpy sauce. Freshly shredded cheese, on the other hand, melts into a luxurious, silky-smooth sauce that truly elevates the casserole’s taste and texture. It might take an extra minute or two, but the difference is profoundly worth it.

Ham It Up: Making the Most of This Casserole’s Star Protein

One of the brilliant aspects of this Cheesy Low-Carb Broccoli Rice Casserole is its incredible ability to transform humble ingredients, especially leftover ham, into a gourmet experience. This recipe is an absolute game-changer for utilizing that delicious ham from a holiday feast or a large family dinner, preventing food waste while creating an entirely new, equally delectable meal.

The Beauty of Leftover Ham: Cooked ham already boasts a rich, savory, and often slightly smoky flavor that infuses beautifully into the creamy cheese sauce and complements the earthiness of the broccoli and cauliflower. Whether you have spiral-cut ham, a boneless ham roast, or even ham steaks, they are all excellent candidates. If you’re starting from scratch, consider preparing a delicious Keto Baked Ham with Honey Mustard Glaze specifically for this recipe – its sweet and tangy notes will add an extra layer of flavor to your casserole.

Preparation is Key: For optimal distribution of flavor and texture, it’s best to dice the ham into small, uniform pieces, roughly ½-inch cubes. This ensures that every forkful of casserole contains a perfect balance of ham, broccoli, and cheesy goodness. You can also shred the ham for a different texture, especially if you prefer it to blend more seamlessly into the sauce.

Perfect Pairings & Serving Suggestions: While this casserole is a complete meal on its own, its comforting nature makes it a fantastic centerpiece for a larger low-carb spread. For a truly hearty and satisfying experience, consider pairing it with:

Soups: A warm bowl of Keto Ham Bone and Veggie Soup would be an exceptional companion, extending the ham theme and adding a liquid element to your meal.
Low-Carb Breads: To soak up every last drop of that creamy sauce, some keto-friendly bread is a must. Options like Keto Garlic Knots or Low-Carb Everything Bagel Breadsticks would be absolutely delicious, adding a delightful chew and extra flavor.
Side Salads: A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette can offer a refreshing contrast to the richness of the casserole, balancing the meal beautifully.
Roasted Vegetables: If you’re looking for more vegetable variety, a simple side of roasted asparagus or green beans would complement the casserole without overpowering its flavors.

This broccoli and ham casserole isn’t just a meal; it’s an opportunity to create a memorable and delicious low-carb dining experience, whether it’s a casual weeknight or a special gathering.

Storing and Reheating Your Cheesy Ham & Broccoli Casserole: Meal Prep Made Easy

One of the many benefits of a hearty casserole is its fantastic suitability for meal prepping and enjoying as leftovers. While this Cheesy Low-Carb Broccoli Rice Casserole with Ham is undeniably at its peak when served piping hot and fresh from the oven, its flavors actually deepen and meld beautifully overnight, making it just as delicious – if not more so – on subsequent days.

Optimal Storage: To keep your leftover casserole fresh and safe for consumption, ensure it cools completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Once cooled, place the container in the refrigerator. Properly stored, this casserole will maintain its quality and flavor for up to three days. This makes it an ideal candidate for preparing ahead of time for busy work lunches or quick dinners throughout the week.

Reheating for Perfection: Due to the cream cheese and other dairy components, the casserole will naturally firm up and become quite dense when chilled. Don’t worry, this is entirely normal! Reheating will restore its creamy texture. You have a couple of excellent options for bringing it back to life:

Microwave Method: For individual servings, the microwave is your quickest friend. Place a portion in a microwave-safe dish and heat on medium power, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly warmed through and the cheese sauce is molten and smooth again. This usually takes 1-3 minutes depending on your microwave’s power and portion size.
Oven Method: For larger portions or to reheat the entire remaining casserole, the oven is an excellent choice to maintain that lovely crispy top. Preheat your oven to 300-325°F (150-160°C). Place the casserole in an oven-safe dish, potentially adding a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce if it seems too dry. Cover it loosely with foil to prevent drying out and bake for 20-30 minutes, or until heated through and bubbling around the edges. Remove the foil for the last 5-10 minutes if you want to crisp up the topping.

No matter your reheating method, you’ll find that this casserole remains incredibly flavorful and satisfying. Its robustness makes it a dream for batch cooking, ensuring you have delicious, low-carb meals ready to go when hunger strikes.

Cheesy Low-Carb Broccoli Rice Casserole with Ham: The Recipe

Get ready to create this incredibly satisfying and healthy casserole! Below you’ll find all the ingredients and step-by-step instructions to bring this low-carb masterpiece to your table. The detailed measurements are provided, making this recipe straightforward and enjoyable to follow.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 6
Net Carbs: 8 net carbs per serving
Calories: 275 kcal per serving

Ingredients:

4 cups Broccoli Florets (cooked and cut into small pieces)
4 cups Cauliflower Rice (cooked)
2 tbsp Butter
½ Onion (chopped)
1 ½ cups Heavy Whipping Cream
2 tsp Minced Garlic
½ tsp Mustard Powder
½ tsp Paprika
4 ounces Cream Cheese (softened)
1 ½ cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese (divided)
8 ounces Diced Ham
Salt and Pepper (to taste)

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a large pot or oven-safe skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.

Add the chopped onions to the pot and sauté until they are translucent and softened, about 5-7 minutes.

Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

Add the mustard powder, paprika, and softened cream cheese to the pot. Stir continuously until the cream cheese has fully melted and is incorporated into the mixture, creating a smooth base.

Gradually whisk in the heavy whipping cream, stirring slowly until the sauce begins to thicken to your desired consistency. This should take a few minutes of simmering.

Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese until it has completely melted into the sauce. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked cauliflower rice, cooked broccoli florets, and diced ham.

Pour the warm cheese sauce over the mixture in the mixing bowl. Stir everything together thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly coated with the creamy sauce.

Spread the combined mixture evenly into a well-greased 9×13 inch baking dish.

Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese generously over the top of the casserole.

Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly around the edges and the cheese on top is melted and golden brown.

Once baked, remove from the oven and allow the casserole to sit for about 10 minutes before serving. This resting period allows the sauce to set slightly, making for easier and cleaner serving. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes:

The nutritional information for this recipe is calculated as a courtesy and is an approximate only. We cannot guarantee the absolute accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipes on this site. Please consult a professional nutritionist for precise dietary advice.

More Delicious Low-Carb & Keto Casserole Inspirations

If you’ve fallen in love with the comforting simplicity and incredible flavor of this Cheesy Low-Carb Broccoli Rice Casserole with Ham, you’re in for a treat! The world of keto and low-carb casseroles is vast and brimming with delicious possibilities that make healthy eating both easy and exciting. Casseroles are perfect for meal prep, feeding a crowd, or simply enjoying a hearty, wholesome dinner without the guilt.

Building on the success of this recipe, we encourage you to explore other flavorful baked dishes that adhere to a low-carb lifestyle. Each of these recipes is designed to be bursting with flavor, satisfying, and perfect for incorporating into your weekly meal rotation. They prove that you don’t have to sacrifice taste when aiming for healthier eating habits.

Here are some more delectable low-carb casserole recipes that we highly recommend you try next:

Keto Creamed Spinach and Chicken Casserole
Low-Carb Pizza Casserole with Eggs
Keto King Ranch Chicken Casserole
Keto Baked Chicken Caprese Casserole
Keto Mexican Pulled Pork Taco Casserole

Don’t Miss Out! Pin This Recipe for Later!

Loved this recipe? Make sure to save it for easy access whenever a casserole craving strikes! Pin this delicious Cheesy Low-Carb Broccoli Rice Casserole with Ham to your favorite Pinterest board and share the low-carb love with your friends and family. Don’t forget to follow us on Pinterest for even more mouth-watering keto-friendly recipes and meal ideas!