Four Cheese and Sausage Pasta Bake

12 bacon slices, chopped

2 ½ pounds Italian sausage

1 large onion, chopped

1 teaspoon dried thyme, crumbled

1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crumbled

½ teaspoon fennel seeds, chopped

1 ½ pounds tricolored fusilli or rotini pasta

2 large carrots, peeled, sliced on diagonal into ¼ inch thick pieces

1 bunch broccoli, cut into florets

1 6 ½ ounce package creamy garlic and herb cheese, room temperature

½ cup whipping cream

1 cup chicken stock or canned broth

2 cups grated Fontina or Monterey Jack cheese (about 8 ounces)

1 ½ cups crumbled blue or Gorgonzola cheese (about 6 ounces)

1 28 ounce can Italian plum tomatoes, drained and chopped

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 3 ounces)

Cook bacon in heavy large skillet over medium heat until crisp, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes.  Transfer to paper towel using slotted spoon.  Add sausage to drippings in skillet and cook until brown on all sides, about 20 minutes.  Transfer to paper towel.  Pour off all but 3 tablespoons drippings from skillet.  Add onion, thyme, rosemary and fennel seeds to skillet.  Cook until onion is tender, stirring occasionally, about 6 minutes.  Set aside.

Bring large pot of salted water to boil.  Add pasta and cook 4 minutes.  Add carrots and cook 2 minutes.  Add broccoli and continue cooking 2 minutes.  Drain and refresh pasta and vegetables under cold water.  Drain well.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  Butter 6 quart casserole or baking dish.  Place herb cheese in large bowl.  Gradually wisk in cream.  Stir in stock.  Add pasta mixture, bacon, onion, and herb mixture, Fotina, blue cheese, tomatoes and 2/3 cup Parmesan.  Cut sausage on diagonal into 1 inch pieces.  Add sausage to pasta mixture.  Season with salt and pepper.  Toss to combine.  Transfer pasta mixture to prepared dish.  Sprinkle top with remaining 1/3 cup Parmesan.  (Can be prepared 1 day ahead.  Cover and chill.)  Cover and bake until cheese bubbles, about 50 minutes.

A Delicious Winter Dish

Serve with Tossed Salad and A Loaf of Hot Crusty Bread

Coffee or Tea and Double Chocolate Mint Cookies make a delightful finish!