Sausage and cauliflower casserole is a healthy 21 Day Fix dinner. It’s rich and creamy, featuring sausage, cauliflower, ricotta cheese, and leafy greens.
This recipe was originally posted on Apr 17, 2015. It has been updated with new photos, a video, and Instant Pot directions.
I often try to use leftover groceries to create new, healthy meals. One week I had turkey sausage, a head of cauliflower, half a container of ricotta, and some greens — and this casserole was born.
It turned out even better than I expected. My husband, who was skeptical at first, scraped the dish clean, and our one-year-old gobbled it up as well. I’ll be making this easy casserole again and again.
Instant Pot Update
How to Steam Cauliflower in the Instant Pot
Steaming a whole head of cauliflower in the Instant Pot is quick and convenient. Trim the leaves and part of the core, keeping the head mostly intact. Add one cup of water to the pot, place the cauliflower on the trivet or in a steamer basket, and set the Instant Pot to steam for zero minutes. Yes — zero minutes. This short steam yields cauliflower that is tender but still firm, so it won’t turn mushy when mixed with the ricotta and sausage.
If you prefer cauliflower as a side, cut it into larger florets before steaming and still set the pot for zero minutes. This method saves time and avoids the need to watch a boiling pot on the stove.
How to Make Sausage and Cauliflower Casserole in the Instant Pot
After steaming the cauliflower, brown the sausage and cook the aromatics using the Instant Pot’s sauté function. Combine with ricotta and greens, transfer to a casserole dish, top with Parmesan, and finish under a broiler or with a crisping lid (Mealthy CrispLid or Ninja Foodi) until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Why This Works for Low-Carb and Meal Prep
This casserole is an excellent low-carb or keto-friendly option for lunch, dinner, or meal prep. If you can’t find turkey or chicken sausage, you can substitute or make your own sausage from ground turkey or chicken with seasonings to taste.
Sausage and Cauliflower Casserole
Author: Nancylynn
Sausage and cauliflower casserole is rich, creamy, and packed with sausage, cauliflower, ricotta, and greens.
Servings
4 servings
Prep & Cook Time
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 20 minutes
- Total time: 35 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower, chopped into florets
- 1 lb spicy turkey or chicken sausage
- 1/4 cup diced onion
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup low sodium chicken broth (omit for Instant Pot version)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1–2 cups spinach and/or kale
- Cooking spray
- 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese blend
Instructions — Stovetop/Oven
- Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook cauliflower florets until tender. Drain and return to the pot.
- Meanwhile, coat a skillet with cooking spray and brown the turkey sausage. Add onion, garlic, and greens; cook until greens begin to wilt. Stir in chicken broth.
- Add the sausage and vegetable mixture to the pot with the cauliflower and stir in the ricotta until evenly combined.
- Spray a casserole dish with cooking spray and spread the mixture into the dish. Top with Parmesan.
- Bake at 425°F for 10–15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and lightly golden.
Instructions — Instant Pot/Oven
- Place the whole head of cauliflower on the trivet and add 1 cup of water to the Instant Pot. Set to steam for zero minutes. When the pot reaches pressure, quick release immediately.
- Carefully remove the cauliflower, cut into small florets, and set aside.
- Drain the pot and dry it. Spray with cooking spray, set to Sauté, and brown the sausage. Add onion, garlic, and greens and cook until wilted.
- Return the cauliflower to the pot and stir in the ricotta. If the mixture seems too thick, add a couple of tablespoons of broth.
- Transfer to a casserole dish, top with Parmesan, and bake at 425°F for 10–15 minutes.
Instructions — Instant Pot with Mealthy/Crip Lid
- Steam the whole cauliflower on the trivet for zero minutes as above and quick release.
- Remove and cut into florets. Drain and dry the pot, spray, and brown the sausage. Add onion, garlic, and greens until wilted.
- Mix in cauliflower and ricotta, top with Parmesan, then use the Mealthy CrispLid on broil for 5–10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Notes
21 Day Fix: 1 green, 1 1/4 red, 1/4 blue (per serving)
WW: 9 points per serving (calculated using hot Italian turkey sausage and reduced-fat ricotta). To lower points, use 99% lean ground turkey instead of turkey sausage.
Nutrition (per serving)
- Calories: 375 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Fat: 26 g
- Sodium: 1358 mg
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