Skinny Au Gratin Potatoes

Ingredients

• 1 bag Simply Potatoes; home style slices
• 1 cup reduced fat shredded Mexican Cheese Blend; reserve 1/4 cup for topping
• 1 Tbsp butter; unsalted
• 2 slices bacon; chopped
• 1 medium sized onion; chopped
• 1/2 cup green bell pepper; chopped
• 1/2 cup red bell pepper; chopped
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp smokey paprika
• 3 cloves of garlic; sliced
• 2 Tbsp flour
• 2 cups skim milk
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 wedges of Laughing Cow Cheese wedges; Swiss (room temperature)
• 1/4 cup Panko; seasoned
• Cooking Spray

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and spray a 1.5 or 2 quart baking dish with cooking spray; set aside
2. In a large saute pan over medium heat, cook chopped bacon until crispy (4-5 minutes); Remove bacon bits & set aside
3. Melt butter in the same pan that bacon was cooked. Add onions, garlic & bell peppers, cooking until onions begins to brown. (about 5-7 min)
4. Add Flour and cook until well combined; slowly stir in milk and bring to gentle boil. Stir in seasonings: salt, pepper, paprika.
5. Add potatoes and bring to boil (again). Once boiling; add 3/4 cup shredded cheese & cheese wedges. Stir to combine well.
6. Transfer to baking dish and cover with foil. Bake for 1 hour. Remove foil & sprinkle Panko, bacon bits & 1/4 cup shredded cheese on top. Cook for additional 20-30 minutes until the top is golden brown & potatoes are fork tender.
7. Serve or Store for later in the week :)