Pumpkin Mac and Cheese with Roasted Veggies Recipe

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line 2 large baking sheets with aluminum foil, and coat with olive oil spray.

Toss cauliflower and Brussels sprouts with olive oil, and season with salt. Spread in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet.

For DIY roasted pumpkin, cut the top of the pumpkin as if carving a jack-o-lantern. Then cut it in quarters. Scoop out the seeds.

Place the pumpkin on the prepared sheet pan and roast with the other veggies in the oven at 400 degrees F for 35 to 37 minutes, stirring the vegetables and rotating pans halfway through cooking time, until vegetables are soft and have begun to brown around the edges and the pumpkin is soft if pierced with a knife.

Remove the vegetables and pumpkin from the oven, and when cool enough to handle, remove the pumpkin from the skin. This will come off easily. Discard the skin and place pumpkin in a food processor. Purée until smooth, adding about 3 tablespoons of water if needed, until smooth.

While vegetables roast, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting fat and salt. Drain, and set aside.

Over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onion and cook over low heat for about 2 minutes.

Add flour and cook for about one minute, or until the flour is golden and well combined.

Add milk and broth and whisk, raising heat to medium-high until it comes to a boil; cook for about 4 to 5 minutes until it thickens slightly. Season with ¾ teaspoon salt, nutmeg and pepper.

Once it begins to thicken, stir in pumpkin and cook for about 2 minutes, until heated through. Remove from heat, add cheeses and parmesan and mix well until melted. Add the cooked macaroni and mix well, fold in the roasted vegetables.