CHEESY HAM AND CAULIFLOWER CASSEROLE (MOCK MAC AND CHEESE)

Cheesy Ham and Cauliflower Casserole (Mock Mac and Cheese) image

Provided by Joey Joan

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 medium head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
1 1/2 cups milk
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1/8 teaspoon dried minced onion
1 pinch garlic powder, or to taste
salt and ground black pepper to taste
3 cups chopped cooked ham
2 cups french-fried onions

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan.
Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Add cauliflower, cover, and steam until tender yet firm to the bite, 2 to 6 minutes.
While cauliflower steams, heat milk in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Mix softened butter and flour together until it forms a ball. Melt flour ball into heated milk; lower heat and stir constantly until thickened. Add Cheddar cheese, onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper; heat until cheese is completely melted.
Combine cauliflower, ham, and cheese sauce in a large bowl. Gently mix together. Pour into the prepared baking pan.
Bake in the preheated oven, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Top with french-fried onions and bake for 10 minutes more. Let sit for 5 minutes or more before serving.