Cheesy Bacon Pasta Bake with Broccoli Crumble

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a casserole dish.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook bow-tie pasta at a boil, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes.
• Meanwhile, place bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain bacon slices on paper towels, reserving bacon grease in the skillet. Let bacon cool enough to handle, about 5 minutes; crumble and set aside. Drain cooked pasta and set aside.
• Heat 2 tablespoons bacon grease in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Saute onion and garlic in the hot grease for 2 to 3 minutes. Add crumbled bacon, heavy cream, and 1 tablespoon butter; continue cooking until sauce becomes thick and creamy, 5 to 7 minutes. Mix in gouda cheese and stir until melted. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and mix pasta into the cream sauce. Pour mixture into the prepared casserole dish.
• Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a medium, microwave-safe bowl in a microwave for 20 seconds. Mix in panko bread crumbs and riced broccoli; stir very well to coat in butter. Spread mixture on top of pasta.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven.
• Set an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler.
• Continue to bake in the preheated oven until crumble is browned, about 5 minutes more.