Bacon & pumpkin pasta bake with steamed greens

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 30

Total Time: 35

Servings people

Appliance/Function:

Bring a large steamer pot of hot tap water to a boil. Bring a large pot of salted hot tap water to a boil.

Cut 1 broccoliinto small florets. Peel and dice 500 g pumpkin into small 2cm cubes. Add the pumpkin to the steamer pot and cook for 12-15 minutes, until very tender. Then add pumpkin to a large heatproof bowl and reserve the pot with the water. Add the broccoli to the steamer pot (add more water if needed) and cook for 6-8 minutes, until tender.

Meanwhile, add 300 g penne pasta to the large pot of salted boiling water and cook according to package directions. Drain and set aside.

Peel and mince 2 cloves garlic. Peel and cut 1 brown onion in half, then thinly slice. Roughly chop 200 g bacon into bits. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a frypan over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and onion and cook for 1 minute or until the onion is tender. Transfer the garlic and onion to the bowl with the pumpkin. Reserve the frypan on heat and add the bacon. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until crispy and browned. Remove from heat and set aside.

Preheat the oven on the grill function. Add ½ cup vegetable stock, ½ cup milk, 1 tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp paprika, and ½ tsp onion powder to the bowl with the pumpkin. Use a stick blender or pour the mixture into a blender and blend to create a smooth sauce. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Add the pasta, sauce, bacon and broccoli to a baking dish and gently stir to combine. Grate over ½ cup cheese, then sprinkle ½ cup panko breadcrumbs over top. Place in the oven and grill for 3-4 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.