Baked Mac & Cheese

Ingredients

1 lb cavatappi

1 lb bacon, chopped

3 cups cottage cheese

3 cups sharp shredded cheddar, divided

2 cups sour cream

1 tsp Dijon mustard

2 eggs, lightly beaten

2 tsp salt

1/2 cup breadcrumbs

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Cook pasta according to package directions until just al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.

2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon, stirring occasionally, until the fat has rendered and the bacon is crispy, about 8–10 minutes. Remove from the pan and drain on a paper towel.

3. In a large bowl, combine the cottage cheese, 2 cups of cheddar, sour cream, eggs, Dijon, bacon, and salt. Fold in the cooked pasta until evenly coated.

4. Butter a large casserole dish and spoon the mixture in. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup of cheddar and the breadcrumbs.

5. Bake for 45 minutes, or until the top is deeply golden and crispy. Remove from the oven, top with chives, and serve.