Bacon-Pepper Mac and Cheese

INGREDIENTS

• 3 cups uncooked penne pasta (10 oz)
• 1/3 cup butter
• 1 medium red bell pepper, thinly sliced (about 1 cup)
• 4 medium green onions, sliced (1/4 cup)
• 1/4 cup Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 2 1/4 cups milk
• 10 slices packaged precooked bacon (from 2.1-oz package), cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (4 oz)
• 4 oz Muenster cheese, shredded (1 cup)
• 2 oz Gruyère cheese, shredded (1/2 cup)
• 1/4 cup Progresso® Italian style bread crumbs

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 2-quart casserole with cooking spray. Cook and drain pasta as directed on package.
2. Meanwhile, in 3-quart saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Reserve 1 tablespoon of the butter in small bowl. Stir bell pepper and onions into butter in saucepan. Increase heat to medium; cook and stir 1 minute. Stir in flour, salt, pepper and mustard. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is bubbly. Increase heat to medium-high. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly, until mixture boils and thickens, about 5 minutes. Gently stir in bacon and pasta.
3. Remove from heat; stir in cheeses until melted. Pour into casserole. Stir bread crumbs into melted butter in small bowl. Sprinkle over pasta mixture.
4. Bake uncovered 20 to 25 minutes or until edges are bubbly.