Hash Brown Casserole With Bacon And Cheddar - cooking recipe

Ingredients

8 ounces bacon
1/2 medium onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups milk
1 lb frozen hash brown potatoes
1/2 cup snipped fresh chives
1 1/4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Preparation

1.\tPreheat oven to 350 \u00b0 F. Butter an 8-inch-square glass baking dish.
2.\tCook bacon in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat until crisp. Remove slices; drain on a paper-towel-lined plate In same skillet over medium-low heat, cook onion and pepper in bacon dripping 8 minutes, until softened, stirring often.
3.\tKeep skillet at medium-low. Stir in flour. Slowly pour in milk, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring to incorporate smoothly with the flour. Cook until mixture thickens and comes to a simmer, about 5 minutes, stirring often. Crumble bacon into mixture.
4.\tEvenly spread potatoes in prepared dish. Top with half of the chives, 1 cup of the cheese, and the vegetable-bacon mixture. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup of cheese. Bake 40-50 minutes, until potatoes are tender. Sprinkle with remaining chives before cutting into squares.