Cheesy Cauliflower Pumpkin Casserole

Look, I love mac and cheese. I would eat it everyday and be ridiculously happy. I also love any potato dish... scalloped potatoes, mashed potatoes, cheesy potatoes au gratin. I'm basically a carboholic. So, when I saw this Cauliflower Pumpkin Casserole, I was excited but skeptical.  

Basically, it has some of the delish flavours of cheesy potatoes or mac and cheese, but in a healthier all-veggie casserole. The combination of roasted cauliflower (which gets nutty and sweet as it cooked) and a creamy cheddar cheese and pumpkin sauce gives you the comfort of a cheesy casserole, while still allowing you to eat for your goals! 

Ingredients

• 1 large cauliflower, cut into florets
• Nonstick cooking spray
• Sea salt (or Himalayan salt) and ground white pepper (to taste; optional)
• ¾ cup unsweetened almond milk
• ⅓ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• ½ cup pure pumpkin puree
• 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
• ¼ cup whole wheat panko bread crumbs

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425° F.
2. Place cauliflower on baking sheet that has been lightly coated with spray. Season with salt and pepper if desired.
3. Bake for 24 to 28 minutes, or until golden brown. Set aside.
4. While cauliflower is cooking, bring almond milk to a boil in medium saucepan over medium high heat, stirring frequently. Reduce heat to medium-low.
5. Add cheese, pumpkin, and mustard; cook, stirring frequently, for 3 to 4 minutes, or until well blended.
6. Add cauliflower; mix well.
7. Pour cauliflower minute into 8 x 8-inch casserole dish that has been lightly coated with spray.
8. Top with bread crumbs.
9. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.