PCLinuxOS Recipe Corner:

Chicken, Bacon and Caramelized Onion Pasta Bake for Two

INGREDIENTS:

3 tablespoons butter
1 small onion, thinly sliced
1 cup uncooked Penne pasta
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup shredded Gruyïre cheese (4 oz)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup shredded cooked chicken
3 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
2/3 cup plain panko crispy bread crumbs
1 tablespoon butter, melted

DIRECTIONS:

1. Heat oven to 425F. (218C) In a 7-inch cast-iron skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the butter over medium heat. Add onion; cook 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions are browned. Remove from heat.

2. Meanwhile, cook pasta as directed on the package to al dente; drain.

3. In a 2-quart saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add flour; cook and stir for 1 minute. Beat in milk, salt and pepper with whisk; heat to boiling. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook and stir 1 to 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat; beat in Gruyïre and Parmesan cheeses. Add cooked pasta, chicken, bacon and browned onions; gently stir to combine. Transfer to the same 7-inch cast-iron skillet.

4. In a small bowl, mix bread crumbs and 1 tablespoon melted butter. Sprinkle over the top of the pasta mixture. Bake for 14 to 17 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown.

TIPS:

Swiss cheese can be substituted for Gruyïre in this recipe.
The pasta mixture can also be baked in an 8x4-inch loaf pan 18 to 22 minutes.
To lower calories substitute whole milk with 2% milk
Lower the sodium by substituting the salt with your favorite salt substitute.
Reduce carbs, calories and sodium while increasing fiber by substituting the Penne pasta with whole wheat Penne pasta

    Calories: 510         Carbs: 38g         Sodium: 1,009mg         Fiber: 4.6g