Eat It And Weep For Joy - Low Carb Loaded Baked "Potato" Casserole

Tears of joy stream down my face as I type. 2015 brings much hope for the new year and for me one solid resolve, to skinny-down. My surefire method for slimming down is to reduce refined carbs and sugar, which is never an easy feat for someone who loves indulging in everything sweet and decadent. Cake? I'll have a slice! Bread? Give me some butter and I'll dig in.

In comes this phenomenal recipe that had me scooping forkfuls to my mouth while muttering expletives like "ooooh" "wow" "mmmm". This delectable side has ditched the taters and has reached for cauliflower instead. Yeah, I know. We've all had the cauliflower mashed potatoes South Beach diet made famous awhile ago but this side goes beyond that. It's an awesome creamy, cheesy casserole that makes ditching the real thing doable. Best part? It takes less than 10 minutes to make and is perfect for those watching carbs (South Beach, Atkins etc.). Definitely try this one! Soon you'll be muttering "mm, mmm" good!

Mash the cauliflower using a potato masher or pulse in food processor until crumbly.

Here's how it looks "crumbly". There are still some chunks of cauliflower.

Add sour cream, cheese, scallions, pepper and sausage.

Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake.

Remove from the oven when the cheese is melted and everything is golden brown and bubbly. 

Serve for dinner. I had mine with some pulled chicken and a low carb tortilla.

NOTES:

• Can't find Birds Eye Steamfresh Garlic Cauliflower? Substitute with plain frozen cauliflower.
• Reduced fat cheese won't brown as much as regular. Take out of oven when everything is bubbling and cheese is melted. 
• Regular cheese and sour cream can be used. 
• Want to make it meatless? Use a few slices of veggie sausage or faking bacon.
• I don't endorse any of these products. I mention them to make preparing the recipe easier. You can use your favorite products instead.

RECIPE:
Makes 6 servings
138 calories; 7.9 g total fat; 3.9 g saturated fat; 0 g saturated fat; 24 mg cholesterol; 500 mg sodium; 21 mg potassium; 5.6 g carb; .8 g fiber; 2.4 g sugar; 9.9 g Protein; 47% calcium; 23% vitamin C

1 package (12 ounces) of Birds Eye Steamfresh Garlic Cauliflower, cooked according to package directions and drained
3 scallions, sliced (reserve 1 of the 3 sliced scallions for garnish)
1/3 c reduced fat sour cream
ground pepper, to taste
3/4 c 2% Mexican Four Cheese (reserve 3 T for topping)
2 Banquet Brown'N Serve Lite Original sausage links, sliced lengthwise and then chopped into small pieces

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8x8 inch square pan with olive oil cooking spray. Set aside. In a heat safe bowl, mash cauliflower with a potato masher until crumbly (or pulse in food processor until crumbly). Stir in 2 sliced scallions, sour cream, ground pepper, the cheese (reserve 3 T of the 3/4 c for the topping) and sausage. Add mixture to the pan and sprinkle top with remaining cheese. Bake on the center rack for 20 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.