Monday, July 26, 2010

Alfredo Veggie Bacon Bake

I have been watching way to much FoodNetwork at my in-laws. (A real weakness.) I really like the show "Chopped" and every time I am cooking, I feel like one of the chefs competing with secret ingredients. It was my turn to cook at the Stewart house, and I was plum out of ideas... until I found a package of bacon, that is. (The secret ingredient.) I came up with this little casserole creation that made a big crowd happy! This is a WONDERFUL way to sneak in the veggies. I used a whole head of cauliflower and broccoli in this and you would NEVER KNOW! (This would be a good one with chicken too!)

Alfredo Veggie Bacon Bake (By Lyd)
1 package pasta, cooked and drained according to package instructions
1 lb bacon, cut into 1-2 inch pieces
1 onion, chopped
1 tsp garlic minced
1 head cauliflower and 1 head broccoli, cut from stem- flowered in tact
1 bell pepper
salt and pepper, to taste
1 bottle Alfredo sauce
1 cup mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

Cook and drain noodles. Place cauliflower and broccoli in a pot with about 1 inch boiling water. Put a lid on the pot and steam for about 5 minutes to soften veggies. When softened and cooled, roughly chopped and place in a 9x13 baking dish with drained noodles. Meanwhile, cook bacon well and saute onion, garlic, and pepper in some of bacon drippings. Place in baking dish and pour in Alfredo sauce over top and stir together. Sprinkle cheeses over the top and Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes or until bubbly and heated through.
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3 comments:

  1. MelindaJuly 26, 2010 at 9:58 PM

    Wowser! That looks so good! I am trying to think of how to lighten it up a bit. I wonder how it would taste if you used turkey bacon instead of regular and substituted the alfredo sauce for low-fat or fat-free sour cream mixed with pesto! And whole wheat pasta, of course. Mmmmm . . . I bet it would still be SOOOOO good! I'll have to try it! ;-D

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  2. Lyd StewJuly 28, 2010 at 9:28 AM

    Oh Melinda-
    I love the pesto idea! I think it is great in casserole type things! I also think turkey bacon would be awesome- I really like the flavor of it. I think if you are really trying to lighten it up, you could even just melt Parmesan cheese in there- it is low fat and you would still get the flavor. Good luck!
    -Lyd

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  3. jess and sethAugust 14, 2010 at 8:38 PM

    What a good idea with bacon in a casserole! I think my kids would actually eat the veggies, which would be nothing short of a miracle . . .

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