If you're looking for a delicious comfort food that won't break your diet, this creamy dish is perfect for a dinner the whole family will love. If you’re looking to eat a little healthier, this dish is sure to become a new favorite in your house.
In a large saucepan, add water and place over medium/high heat, and bring to a boil.
In the meantime, place a medium sized skillet over medium heat. Add salted butter and melt it.
In the skillet, add in panko breadcrumbs and stir to mix. Cook, stirring occasionally for approximately 4 minutes, or until the breadcrumbs are toasted.
Move the toasted breadcrumbs to a small mixing bowl, and allow to cool. When cool, add grated Pecorino Romano cheese and stir to mix. Set aside for later.
Cut cauliflower to small florets to make 3 cups. Set aside for later.
Cut the rest of the cauliflower, stem included, into 2 inch sized pieces.
In the boiling water, add the cauliflower and carrots. cook approximately 10 to 12 minutes, or until tender.
In the meantime, in a blender, add vegetable broth, cream cheese, mustard, ¼ cup of the Mexican Cheese, the Gruyère cheese, salt, pepper, and hot pepper sauce.
Using a slotted spoon, place the cooked cauliflower and carrots into the blender.
Puree the contents of the blender to until creamy.
In the same pot of boiling water, add pasta. Cook half of the time the packages directs. In the last minute of cooking, add in reserved cauliflower.
Using a colander, drain pasta mixture, and transfer back to the pot.
In the pasta mixture, add the cauliflower sauce and stir to mix well.
Prepare a 2½ quart, shallow baking dish by spraying with cooking spray.
Using a large spoon, transfer the pasta mixture into the baking dish in an even layer.
Sprinkle the rest of the Mexican cheese on top of the mixture, then add the crumb mixture on top.
In preheated oven, bake approximately 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is golden.
Notes
6 Points (2022/2023 Plan)MyWW Points: 6 Blue Plan and 7 Green Plan 6 WW Freestyle Points and 7 WW Smart PointsWe are not associated with Weight Watchers/WW in any way. Double check points on their official calculator.