3949. BACON PROVOLONE PENNE PASTA BAKE

Yields 4


12 ounces uncooked penne pasta
3 cups marinara sauce
1 cup water
1 pound bacon
14 slices provolone cheese
cooking spray

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Cook bacon in a large pan over medium-high heat until crispy enough to crumble. Drain on paper towels, blotting off excess grease. When cool enough to handle, crumble into 1/2 inch or smaller pieces.

Spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with cooking spray.Mix the sauce with a cup of water, and pour one cup on the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Pour half of the uncooked pasta over the sauce in an even layer. Layer 6 slices of provolone on top of the pasta and sprinkle with half of the crumbled bacon. Top with remaining pasta, sauce, and bacon, put the remaining cheese on the side.

Bake in the preheat oven for about 40 minutes, or until the pasta is soft. Stir well, top with remaining cheese, and return to the oven for about 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Serve with a salad and garlic bread, if desired.


bacon recipe source: Bernadette Martin (@BernadetMartin), Rants From My Crazy Kitchen, February 8, 2014