The idea of a healthy meal can turn people off. But sometimes the key to eating healthy is simply changing one key ingredient and letting the rest of the dish do the talking. Take the Watch-Your-Waistline Casserole, for instance; By simply making the base out of tender roast cauliflower, you ensure the dish is much lower in fat and much more nutritious than your run-of-the-mill casserole. At the same time, cauliflower has a naturally mild taste, perfect for pairing with a creamy, melty, and sharp cheese sauce and the succulent and crispy flavor of bacon. That’s what you taste and love the most! The eating healthy part is just a bonus. Watch-Your-Waistline Casserole will encourage you to find new ways of eating healthy without ever feeling like you are missing out on great food!
Ingredients
- 2 small heads cauliflower, cut into florets
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 1/2 cups cheddar, shredded and divided
- kosher salt, to taste
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1/4 cup green onions, sliced
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2 –In a large pot of salted boiling water, blanch the cauliflower, about 3 minutes.
Step 3 –Drain the cauliflower and squeeze out any water.
Step 4 –In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
Step 5 –Add the garlic, and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Step 6 –Add the flour and stir until golden, about 2 minutes.
Step 7 –Add the milk and bring the mixture to a low simmer.
Step 8 –Add the cream cheese, whisking until combined.
Step 9 –Transfer the skillet from the heat and stir in 1 cup of the cheddar cheese until melted.
Step 10 –Season the sauce generously with the salt and the pepper.
Step 11 –In a 9×13-inch dish, add the drained cauliflower.
Step 12 –Pour the cheese sauce over the cauliflower and stir until combined.
Step 13 –Stir in all but 1 tablespoon of the cooked bacon and all but 1 tablespoon of the green onions until combined.
Step 14 –Top the casserole with the remaining cheddar, the remaining bacon, and the remaining green onions.
Step 15 –Bake until the cauliflower is tender and the cheese is melty, about 30 minutes.
Step 16 –Serve.
