Cheesy Ground Beef & Cauliflower Casserole

(40)

Ground beef and cauliflower combine to create a hearty weeknight casserole that both kids and adults will love. Serve with tortilla chips and sour cream.

Active Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
30 mins
Servings:
6

Nutrition Notes

What Are the Health Benefits of Cauliflower?

Like broccoli, cauliflower is a cruciferous vegetable and cruciferous vegetables have been shown to have a wealth of health benefits. The compounds in cauliflower may help protect against some cancers, lower your risk of heart disease, and possibly protect you from Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.

A cauliflower with several florets cut off, and a knife next to the florets on the right side

Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco

Is Cheese Healthy?

Despite it containing saturated fat, including a little cheese in your diet has some impressive health benefits, including possibly reducing your risk of heart disease and diabetes, improving your cholesterol and increasing your muscular strength. Nibbling on cheese may even help you live longer.

Tips from the Test Kitchen

Can I Use Ground Turkey Instead of Ground Beef?

Yes, you can! We use lean ground beef for this recipe, but lean ground turkey or ground chicken would work nicely in this casserole.

What Is Ground Chipotle and What's a Good Substitute?

Ground chipotle is a spice made from chipotle peppers, which are smoked and dried jalapeños. It's mildly spicy with a smoky flavor. If you can't find ground chipotle, you can substitute it with ancho chile powder or ¼ teaspoon more chili powder.

Can I Make This Casserole Ahead?

Yes, you can bake the casserole ahead, cool completely and refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Can I Serve with Cheesy Ground Beef and Cauliflower Casserole?

Serve this hearty casserole with tortilla chips or sweet potato chips and a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt. It also pairs well with salads like Southwest Chopped Salad with Tomatillo Dressing, Mango & Avocado Salad or Pineapple & Cucumber Salad.

Additional reporting by Carrie Myers and Jan Valdez

Ingredients for the cheesy ground beef & cauliflower casserole recipe

Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

  • ½ cup chopped onion

  • 1 medium green bell pepper, chopped

  • 1 pound lean ground beef

  • 3 cups bite-size cauliflower florets

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 2 tablespoons chili powder

  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin

  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • ¼ teaspoon ground chipotle

  • 1 (15 ounce) can no-salt-added petite-diced tomatoes

  • 2 cups shredded extra-sharp Cheddar cheese

  • cup sliced pickled jalapeños

Directions

  1. Position rack in upper third of oven. Preheat broiler to high.

  2. Heat oil in a large broiler-safe skillet over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper; cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add beef and cauliflower; cook, stirring and breaking the beef up into smaller pieces, until it is no longer pink, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in garlic, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt and chipotle; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add tomatoes and their juices; bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid is reduced and the cauliflower is tender, about 3 minutes more. Remove from heat.

    Ingredients for the cheesy ground beef & cauliflower casserole mixed together in a skillet

    Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco

  3. Sprinkle cheese over the beef mixture and top with sliced jalapeños. Broil until the cheese is melted and browned in spots, 2 to 3 minutes.

    Cheesy ground beef & cauliflower casserole

    Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco

Equipment

Large broiler-safe skillet

Originally appeared: EatingWell.com, September 2021

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

351 Calories
23g Fat
11g Carbs
26g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Serving Size about 1 cup
Calories 351
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 11g 4%
Dietary Fiber 3g 11%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 26g 52%
Total Fat 23g 29%
Saturated Fat 11g 55%
Cholesterol 86mg 29%
Vitamin A 1522IU 30%
Sodium 672mg 29%
Potassium 639mg 14%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Related Articles