Today's Recipe 3/5/2012

Easy Pierogi Casserole

What You Need

9 lasagna noodles, uncooked

4 cups hot mashed potatoes

1/2 cup (1/2 of 8-oz. tub) PHILADELPHIA Chive & Onion Cream Cheese Spread

6 green onions, thinly sliced

1 pkg. (3 oz.) OSCAR MAYER Real Bacon Bits, divided

2 cups KRAFT Shredded Triple Cheddar Cheese with a TOUCH OF PHILADELPHIA, divided

Make It

HEAT oven to 375°F.

COOK noodles as directed on package, omitting salt. Meanwhile, combine potatoes, cream cheese spread, onions, 1/2 cup bacon and 1 cup Cheddar.

PLACE 3 noodles in 13x9-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray; cover with 1/3 of the potato mixture. Repeat layers twice. Top with remaining bacon and Cheddar; cover.

BAKE 30 min. or until heated through. Uncover; bake 3 to 5 min. or until cheese is lightly browned. Let stand 10 min. before cutting to serve.

Note

You will need to cook about 2 lb. baking potatoes (about 6) to get the 4 cups mashed potatoes needed to make this recipe.

Substitute

For a change of pace, substitute BREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN Cottage Cheese for the mashed potatoes.