Roasted Butternut Squash and Bacon Pasta

This is a Cooking Light recipe that I changed up a little. :-)

Roasted Butternut Squash and Bacon Pasta

3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Onion Powder
Garlic Powder
3 cups (1-inch) cubed peeled butternut squash
Cooking spray ( I used Olive Oil)
12 Turkey Bacon (raw)
1 cup thinly sliced shallots
8 ounces uncooked mini penne (or shell, elbow)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
3/4 cup (3 ounces) shredded sharp provolone cheese (I used Extra Sharp Cheddar)
1/3 cup (1 1/2 ounces) grated fresh Parmesan cheese  (I just used regular)


Preheat oven to 425°.



Combine 1/4 teaspoon salt, rosemary, and pepper. Place squash on a foil-lined baking sheet coated with cooking spray; sprinkle with salt mixture. Bake at 425° for 45 minutes or until tender and lightly browned. Increase oven temperature to 450°.



Cook the bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon from pan, reserving 1 1/2 teaspoons drippings in pan; crumble bacon. (Since Turkey Bacon doesn't have a lot of fat, I just cut it up and cooked it, and then used Olive oil to make the milk and flour mixture) Increase heat to medium-high. Add shallots to pan; sauté 8 minutes or until tender. Combine squash mixture, bacon, and shallots; set aside.



Cook pasta according to the package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain well.



Combine flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly with a whisk; bring to a boil. Cook 1 minute or until slightly thick, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Add provolone, stirring until cheese melts. Add pasta to cheese mixture, tossing well to combine. Spoon pasta mixture into an 11 x 7-inch baking dish lightly coated with cooking spray; top with squash mixture. Sprinkle evenly with Parmesan cheese. Bake at 450° for 10 minutes or until cheese melts and begins to brown.