Smoked Mozzarella Pasta with Chicken
Ingredients:
- bacon, diced, fried crisp, reserve grease - 6 slices
- roasted chicken breast, skin removed, shredded - 2 cups
- grated Parmesan cheese - 1/2 cup
- smoked Mozzarella - 2 cups
- grated sharp cheese - 1 cup
- whole milk - 2 cups
- penne pasta - 1 pound
- onion, diced - 1
- garlic, minced - 3 cloves
- flour - 2 T
- butter - 2 T
- olive oil - 1 T
- oregano, crushed, dried - 1 t
- creole seasonings - 1 t
- garlic powder - 1 t
- onion powder - 1 t
- chili powder - 1 t
- black pepper - 1 t
Instructions:
Prepare pasta per directions on box, but cook pasta 2 minutes less than cooking time on pasta box. Drain pasta, rinse, drain again, coat pasta with a little olive oil; set aside. Combine seasonings; set aside. Place butter and 2 T bacon grease in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, cook for 2 - 3 minutes. Add flour and whisk well for 2 minutes, add milk, whisk well. Reduce heat to medium low, add spices, gradually add cheese, stir until cheese is melted. Stir chicken and pasta into cheese sauce. Pour mixture into a greased 13 x 9 inch casserole dish. Sprinkle bacon over top, bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for 15 - 20 minutes.
