Leaner Cubano Casserole

GF NF SF Jun 15, 2026

Recipe Nutrition Comment Print
Share on:

All the flavors of a classic Cubano Sandwich, but without the bread. It's also lower in fat due to leaner chicken instead of fatty pulled pork. The sauce features the classic swiss cheese, while still being creamy without mayo or heavy cream. Topped with pickles and baked until golden, this low carb, low fat, and high protein Cuban sandwich alternative is sure to hit any cravings!

STEP 1
- 8 oz (226 g) Ham, cooked

STEP 2
- 2 cup (454 g) Nonfat cottage cheese

STEP 3
- 8 oz (226 g) Simple Shredded Chicken
- 1/4 cup (60 g) Dijon mustard
- 2 oz (56 g) Swiss cheese
- 1 tsp (3 g) Paprika
- 1 tsp (3 g) Garlic powder
- 1 tsp (3 g) Onion powder
- 1 tsp (3 g) Black pepper, ground

STEP 4
- 2 oz (56 g) Swiss Cheese
- 2 oz (56 g) Pickles

1. Preheat your oven to 400F. Heat a 10" cast iron pan on the stove over medium heat. Cut your ham into small cubes. When the pan is hot, add in the ham, and cook for about 5 minutes, or until the outside is lightly browned

2. Add your cottage cheese to a large bowl, and beat with an electric hand mixer to break up any large curds

3. Add in the ham, cooked chicken, mustard, swiss, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Mix until fully combined

4. Add your mixture to the cast iron pan. Top with the rest of your swiss and sliced pickles

5. Cover with foil and bake at 400F for about 20 minutes, or until steamy and bubbly. Optionally broil the top for 1-2 minutes to further brown the cheese

6. Allow to cool for about 5 minutes before serving

https://www.poormanprotein.com/recipes/cubano-casserole

Servings: 4
~2 cups (~270 g)
Calories: 373
Protein: 45 g
Fat: 14 g
Carbs: 15 g
Fiber: 2 g

Description

Time

Prep Time:

15 minutes

Cook Time:

20 minutes

Total Time:

35 minutes

Cost

Total Cost:

Cost per Serving:

$2.13

Ingredients

Serving(s)

Step 1

8 oz Ham, cooked

Step 2

2 cup Nonfat cottage cheese

Step 3

8 oz Simple Shredded Chicken

1/4 cup Dijon mustard

2 oz Swiss cheese

1 tsp Paprika

1 tsp Garlic powder

1 tsp Onion powder

1 tsp Black pepper, ground

Step 4

2 oz Swiss Cheese

2 oz Pickles

Instructions

Cook Mode Off: Prevents screen dimming

Pictures: Shown

Preheat your oven to 400F. Heat a 10" cast iron pan on the stove over medium heat. Cut your ham into small cubes. When the pan is hot, add in the ham, and cook for about 5 minutes, or until the outside is lightly browned

Add your cottage cheese to a large bowl, and beat with an electric hand mixer to break up any large curds

Add in the ham, cooked chicken, mustard, swiss, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Mix until fully combined

Add your mixture to the cast iron pan. Top with the rest of your swiss and sliced pickles

Cover with foil and bake at 400F for about 20 minutes, or until steamy and bubbly. Optionally broil the top for 1-2 minutes to further brown the cheese

Allow to cool for about 5 minutes before serving

Notes

I was only able to find sliced swiss in my store instead of shredded. I just tore the slices into small chunks for the inside and topping. Each part gets 2 oz (56 g) of cheese, which is about 2 1/2 slices each in the bowl and on top, as my slices weigh about 23 g.
For a low carb Cuban sandwich, serve this on a High Fiber Psyllium Wrap!