(NC) As temperatures drop, the urge to indulge in hearty classics takes over. Whether it's soup, stew, or mac 'n' cheese, you can satisfy your family's comfort cravings with delicious alternatives to old school favourites.

Swap ingredients and add seasonal vegetables to give classic dishes a makeover. Simple changes such as using sweet potatoes instead of regular spuds add more nutrients to your meals. Pastas like Barilla Protein PLUS add an array of benefits including 14 grams of high quality protein from chickpeas, lentils and egg whites.

Give this Barilla Bacon and Brussels Sprouts Penne recipe a try and share your favourite comfort food makeovers with us!

Barilla Bacon and Brussels Sprouts Penne

Serves 8
Ingredients:
• 1 box Barilla Protein PLUS Penne
• 2 pounds Brussels sprouts
• 8 slices raw bacon
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup shallots, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup chicken broth, low-sodium preferred
• 1/4 cup pecans, roasted and chopped
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
 
Directions:
Cook pasta according to the package instructions. Preheat oven to 350°F. In a pot of boiling water, blanch Brussels sprouts for 5 minutes; place drained Brussels sprouts on baking pan in fridge to cool. Once cooled, cut sprouts in half. In an oven-safe skillet, cook bacon until crisp, remove and crumble; pour off all but 1 tablespoon of bacon fat. Add garlic and shallots to skillet and sauté until soft. To same skillet add olive oil and Brussels sprouts; bake in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes until caramelized. Remove from oven and add chicken stock; over medium heat, stir well and heat through. Add pasta, bacon and pecans, mixing well. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese before serving.

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