Cauliflower Ham Hotdish

Ham, rice, and cauliflower smothered by a cheesy sauce. Baked in a 13 x 9 dish, this Cauliflower Ham Hotdish feeds a small crowd. Unless, of course, you’re just one or two people, in which case you’ll be eating it happily all week. Tastes amazing, probably even better the next day. You can make it ahead of time, if need be, and you have the flexibility to switch out the cheddar for your favorite cheese. 

What is a hot dish?

In case you’re wondering what a hot dish is, it’s a casserole. It might be a mid-west thing, but that’s where I’m guessing.

The spelling? Well, per Merriam-Webster, hot dish is two words. Wikipedia and what would seem to be many bloggers, hotdish is also one word. I think that’s because they’re using it more as a name.

So today’s executive decision is to use it both ways, as a noun and as a name. Either way, it tastes the same.

Grab your apron, let’s start cookin’ a Cauliflower Ham Hotdish

Once everything is sliced and diced, this actually goes really quick. Chopping of the onions, ham, cauliflower, etc. isn’t part of the prep time on the recipe.

This is because some people buy their stuff pre-sliced and pre-diced. Also, you can use left-over rice, so you won’t have to make that either.

So, if you’re like me and prefer doing all the prep work yourself, add another 10 minutes or so to that time. 

With that full disclosure out of the way, in a large pot, saute the onions in the butter.

While they’re cooking, mix together the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and low-sodium chicken broth. I always use low-sodium chicken broth when cooking with ham, because ham can be unexpectedly salty. Not always, but play it safe and salt it afterwards if you think it needs it.

Once the onions have turned opaque, add the soup mixture to the pot. 

As soon as the soup starts to bubble, add in the cauliflower and ham. Give it a good stir and let it warm up for another couple of minutes. 

Then add the cooked rice and cheese. Cook a few minutes more while you preheat the oven to 350° and lightly grease the 13 x 9 baking dish. Once your oven is ready, pour everything from the pot into the baking dish and cover. Bake for 20 minutes.

Making a Ritz Cracker crumb topping

While the food is baking, crush some Ritz Crackers until you have one cup of crumbs. Add the crumbs to the melted butter and mix. 

Once the hot dish has been baking for 20 minutes, remove it from the oven. Uncover the dish and spread the crumbs evenly over the top. Leave it uncovered this time as you return it to the oven for the last 10 minutes.

That’s it, time to eat. 

Just look at that cheese sauce over the chunks of ham and cauliflower. Scrumptious. The rice and onions give it even more flavor, and the parsley sprinkled on top is just for fun. Plus it looks pretty. 

Be prepared to share this Cauliflower Ham Hotdish. I knew I had to share it with you.

Cauliflower Ham Hotdish, plus more ham recipes.

If you love ham like I do, here are some other ham recipes to try:

• Old Fashioned Ham and Scalloped Potatoes
• Cheesy Potato Ham Chowder
• Puffy Ham Melt

I love a good hot dish, or casserole, whatever you want to call it. One dish with everything in it is just so efficient. It has the meat, the rice, and the vegetable all in one spot. 

Well ok, so maybe the dessert isn’t in it, but here are some recipes you might like to try: Sugar Cookie Lemonade Crumble, Deep Dish Cobbler Pie, and this absolutely delicious no bake Banana Split Pie. 

Follow me on Pinterest and post a picture of your Cauliflower Ham Hotdish. I love hearing from my readers, so please feel free to rate the recipe below and leave a comment. 

Have a blessed day, my friend.

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