Double-Cheese Ziti with Bacon

(Courtesy of Taste of Home)

Ingredients
1 pkg. (16 oz.) ziti or small tube pasta
3 c. (24 oz.) 4% cottage cheese
1/2 c. plus 1 Tbsp. butter, divided
1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. white pepper
1/4 tsp. garlic salt
3 c. half-and-half cream
1 c. milk
4 c. (16 oz.) shredded cheddar cheese
1 c. crumbled cooked bacon, divided
1/3 c. dry bread crumbs

Directions:

Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, place cottage cheese in a food processor; cover and process until smooth. Set aside.

In a large saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter. Stir in the flour, salt, pepper and garlic salt until smooth. Gradually add cream and milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.

Drain macaroni; transfer to a large bowl. Add the cheddar cheese, cottage cheese, white sauce and 3/4 cup bacon; toss to coat. Transfer to a greased 9x13 baking dish. (Dish will be full.) Melt remaining butter. Add bread crumbs; toss to coat. Sprinkle over casserole.

Bake, uncovered, at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining bacon. Bake 5 minutes longer or until bubbly.

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