Roasted Butternut Squash and Bacon Pasta
(adapted from cookinglight.com)
ingredients
- 3/4 tsp salt, divided
- 1/2 tsp dried rosemary
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 3 cups (1-inch) cubed peeled butternut squash
- Cooking spray
- 6 sweet hickory-smoked bacon slice -- i actually sub this out with pancetta
- 1 cup thinly sliced shallots
- 8 oz uncooked mini penne
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups 2% reduced-fat milk
- 3/4 cup shredded sharp provolone cheese
- 1/3 cup grated fresh Parmesan cheese
directions
- Preheat oven to 425F.
- Combine 1/4 tsp salt, rosemary, and pepper. Place squash on a foil-lined baking sheet coated with cooking spray; sprinkle with salt mixture. Bake at 425F for 45 minutes or until tender and lightly browned. Increase oven temperature to 450F.
- Cook the bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove the pancetta from pan, reserving 1 1/2 tsp drippings in pan; crumble bacon. Increase heat to medium-high. Add shallots to pan; sauté 8 minutes or until tender. Combine squash mixture, bacon, and shallots; set aside.
- Cook pasta according to the package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain well.
- Combine flour and 1/2 tsp salt in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly with a whisk; bring to a boil. Cook 1 minute or until slightly thick, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Add provolone, stirring until cheese melts. Add pasta to cheese mixture, tossing well to combine.
- Spoon pasta mixture into an 11 x 7-inch baking dish lightly coated with cooking spray; top with squash mixture. Sprinkle evenly with Parmesan cheese. Bake at 450F for 10 minutes or until cheese melts and begins to brown.