Easy Weeknight Bacon Mac n' Cheese

By carvalhohm

Ingredients

• 3 cups uncooked penne pasta (10 oz)
• 1 can (18 oz) Progresso™ Recipe Starters™ creamy three cheese cooking sauce
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 teaspoon chopped garlic in water (from 4.5-oz jar) or 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
• 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (6 oz)
• 2 oz American cheese loaf, shredded (1/2 cup) or 4 slices American cheese, diced
• 1 bag (2.5 oz) cooked real bacon pieces or bits
• 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper, if desired
• Garnish, if desired
• Italian style panko crispy bread crumbs

Details

Servings 6
Adapted from pillsbury.com

Preparation

Step 1

1 Heat oven to 400°F. Spray 2-quart casserole with cooking spray. Cook and drain pasta as directed on package.

2 Meanwhile, in 3-quart saucepan, heat cooking sauce, milk and garlic to boiling. Remove from heat; stir in cheeses until melted. Stir in pasta, bacon and bell pepper. Spoon into casserole.

3 Bake uncovered 20 minutes or until edges are bubbly. Sprinkle with bread crumbs.

Serving Size: 1 Serving Calories470 ( Calories from Fat190), Total Fat21g (Saturated Fat11g, Trans Fat0g ), Cholesterol60mg Sodium1170mg Total Carbohydrate45g (Dietary Fiber2g Sugars3g ), Protein24g