Baked Penne with Mushrooms, Bacon and Spinach for Two (TNT)

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Baked Penne w/Mushrooms Bacon & Spinach for Two (TNT)

(Serves 2 to 3 people)

Ingredients:

4 oz uncooked penne pasta
3/4 cup whipping cream
6 slices bacon, chopped
1 cups sliced onions
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
4 oz sliced fresh mushrooms (about 1 cup)
1/2 box (~ 4.5 oz) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, squeezed to drain (or you can simply use fresh, steamed spinach, if you prefer)
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (or you can just use 1/4 cup, if preferred)
3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (or you can just use 1/2 cup, if preferred)

Directions:

Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.

Cook pasta as directed on package. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta cooking water. Drain pasta; return to stockpot. Add cream; toss. Set aside.

Spray 12-inch sauté pan or skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium heat. Add bacon; cook until crisp. With slotted spoon, remove bacon from pan, then split the chopped bacon into two separate bowls and set aside (half goes in with the pasta and the other half will go on top after it bakes).

Add onions, salt and pepper to bacon drippings in pan; cook and stir 4 to 7 minutes or until translucent. Add mushrooms; cook 6 to 10 minutes longer or until browned and liquid evaporates. Add spinach and reserved pasta cooking water; cook and stir for about one minute. Toss in half of the cooked bacon bits.

Pour mushroom-bacon mixture over pasta; toss to coat. Pour into baking dish. Top evenly with both cheeses. Cover dish tightly with foil and bake for about 20 minutes. Remove foil; top with the other half of the chopped, cooked bacon. Bake uncovered 5 minutes longer.

Gail's Notes: This really is a delicious casserole (especially if you are a bacon fan like we are!). And another upside is that you can prepare and assemble the casserole (without baking) up to a day ahead of time! Just bake it at 350°F for about 30 minutes, then remove foil, add more bacon on top and bake about 5 minutes longer. Easy-peesy!

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