Cauliflower Mac & Cheese

Don't let this word, cauliflower scare you. All my life the only way I have eaten cauliflower was with dip. I didn't think of it any other way until now. A friend shared the recipe with me. I tested it,  and found it to be fantastic. So I am sharing it with you today.

Cauliflower Mac & Cheese

• 16 ounce bag frozen cauliflower
• 4  ounces cream cheese
• 2 Tablespoons heavy cream
• 2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• salt & pepper to taste

Cook the cauliflower until tender & drain.  Butter a 9x13 casserole dish, set a side.  Microwave the cream cheese until soft, whisk in the heavy cream until smooth, then stir in about 2 cups of the cheddar cheese.  Microwave until the cheese is melted.  Add salt and pepper and stir. Add the cauliflower and stir to coat. Place into the buttered casserole dish. Top with the remaining cheese and bake at 350º for 35 minutes, until bubbly and brown on top. Let it stand a few minutes.

Servings: 12
Calories: 139
Carbs: 2.22

Chicken and Broccoli Cheesy Casserole

I can remember my Mom saying, "Eat your broccoli"!  Broccoli is one of my favorites.  Whether its steamed, stir fried, baked or boiled.  I wanted to try and make a casserole so here is what I came up with. My kids even ate it. 

Chicken and Broccoli Cheesy Casserole

• 3 cups cubed cooked chicken
• 16 oz (1lb) bag of frozen broccoli
• 1 cup diced onion
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 chicken broth (or 1 cube chicken bouillon dissolved in 1/2 cup water)
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 tsp pepper (or to taste)
• 1/4 c sour cream
• 1 cup ricotta

Grease a 9 x 13 inch casserole pan. Add broccoli, onion, chicken broth or bouillon, olive oil and pepper to a medium pan. Cook covered for about 10 minutes. Stir occasionally. In a medium bowl mix the chicken chunks, garlic powder, sour cream and ricotta cheese together, mix till blended. After 10 minutes of cooking the veggies, pour the broccoli mix into the bowl with the chicken. Stir until mixed. Add 1/4 c of the shredded mozzarella cheese to the mix. Stir. Transfer to the greased pan and spread evenly. Add the remaining mozzarella cheese to the top and pop that baby in the oven!

Bake at 350 degrees for 50 - 60 minutes. Once the top layer of cheese is browned a bit it should be done. If you like your broccoli on the softer side bake until the florets are to your liking.

Servings: 12
Calories: 116.3
Carbs per servings: 4.6