SLOW-COOKER BARBECUE BACON, CHICKEN AND CHEDDAR PASTA

Slow-Cooker Barbecue Bacon, Chicken and Cheddar Pasta image

As if the combination of barbecue, bacon, chicken and Cheddar wasn't enough, in this addictive dish, we add penne pasta for an easy slow-cooker meal you'll make again and again.

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories Entree

Time 3h20m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

3 cups whole milk
1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
1/2 cup barbecue sauce
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne)
1 package (16 oz) uncooked penne pasta
4 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (16 oz)
8 oz Kraft™ Velveeta™ cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
8 slices bacon, crisply cooked and crumbled
3 cups shredded deli rotisserie chicken
2 tablespoons butter
2/3 cup Progresso™ plain panko crispy bread crumbs

Steps:

Spray inside of 5-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. In slow cooker, beat milk, evaporated milk, 1/4 cup of the barbecue sauce, the melted butter, salt, pepper and red pepper with whisk. Add pasta, 3 1/2 cups of the Cheddar cheese and the Velveeta™ cheese. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 2 1/2 to 3 hours or until pasta is cooked, but not mushy.
Reserve 1/4 cup of the crumbled bacon.
When the pasta has cooked, increase to High heat setting; stir in chicken and remaining bacon. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese on top. Cover; cook about 15 minutes or until melted. Turn off slow cooker and let stand, still covered, 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, in 6-inch skillet, heat 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add bread crumbs, and stir to coat. Cook and stir 3 to 4 minutes or until golden brown. Add reserved 1/4 cup bacon to bread crumbs. Sprinkle crumbs and bacon over pasta. Drizzle with remaining 1/4 cup barbecue sauce, and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 740, Carbohydrate 60 g, Cholesterol 140 mg, Fat 3, Fiber 2 g, Protein 41 g, SaturatedFat 20 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 1510 mg, Sugar 16 g, TransFat 1 g