Welcome!

The first time I made this for Thanksgiving, my guests were a bit sceptical.  Now, they request this dish for every holiday meal!  Definitely a fan favorite.

Prep Time:  20 mins

Cook Time:  40-50 mins

Total Time:  1 hour 1 hour 10 mins

Serves:  8-10  (as a side dish)

• 1 lb bacon, chopped
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves, garlic, minced
• 2-3 canned chipotle chili peppers, seeded, + 1 tbs adobe sauce from can (Optional)
• 3-6 tbs flour (Gluten free:  Use Bob's Red Mill all purpose gluten-free flour)
• 1 quart half and half (Dairy-free:  Use Coconut Cream)
• 3 cups milk of choice
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 6  tbs chopped parsley
• 1  butternut squash, peeled and  diced (see recipe notes for how to peel a butternut squash)
• 1 lb pasta of choice (I use Rigatoni.  Gluten-free:  Use gluten-free pasta)
• 2 cups shredded Gruyere Cheese , separated (Dairy-free:  Find a dairy-free gruyere cheese recipe HERE)
• 1 cup cream cheese (Dairy-free:  Use non-dairy cream cheese substitute)
• 2 cups regular or panko breadcrumbs (Gluten-free:  Use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs).

1. Preheat oven to 375 F.
2. Saute bacon, onions, garlic, chipotle, and butternut squash over medium heat in a dutch oven until bacon is cooked and veggies are soft.
3. Meanwhile, heat water for pasta in separate pot and cook according to package directions until it is al dente..
4. Whisk in  flour (the amount of flour you use will depend on the amount of fat rendered from the bacon. Use an equal ratio of flour to fat.  If you have 2 tbs bacon fat, add 2 tbs flour).
5. Add half and half, milk, and nutmeg to bacon and veggie mixture  and bring to buil.  Reduce heat to simmer and  stir frequently until thickened - approximately 5 minutes.
6. Add 1/2  cup of Gruyere  cheese and 1 cup of cream cheese. Turn heat to medium and stir until cheeses are melted.  
7. Add salt and pepper.  Adjust seasonings if  necessary.
8. In a separate bowl, mix remaining Gruyere cheese with parsley and breadcrumbs.
9. Add pasta to cream sauce and stir well.  Top with breadcrumb-cheese mixture.
10. Bake for 10 mins, or until breadcrumbs begin to brown.