Honey Goat Cheese Carrot & Couscous Casserole with Bacon Crumbles
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” It was “clean out the fridge time, it was use it or throw it out time.”
You know what I’m talking about. All those leftover bits and pieces being ignored for far too long. I was guilt-ridden over the half pint of dried-up strawberries, the once luscious head of leafy lettuce now turned the color of Yuk and the best-not-to-open-if-you-value-your-life container of onion dip from a month earlier.
I stared into the fridge then proceeded to remove all that could harm. I made good progress until I heard a commotion in the produce drawer. When I opened the drawer, the carrots were snapping their shredded tendrils demanding to be seen.
A few days earlier, I had used carrots in Carrot Cupcakes and Mandarin Orange Salad (coming soon). I hadn’t needed all the carrots so I saved (and had promptly forgotten) the extras.
The carrots snapped again and I got the hint. I checked them out and decided they didn’t warrant being thrown in the trash. Now what?
It’s pretty amazing what one can do with a little ingenuity and a well-stocked pantry. I found some honey goat cheese in the cheese bin, bacon in the freezer and tri-colored couscous in the pantry. Game on!
The resulting dish is simple but tastes amazing. All of the flavors: carrots, honey goat cheese, sweet onion, bacon and herbs blend beautifully. Be sure you take your fair share at the beginning of the meal, because THIS is what you will see when you go back for seconds.
This dish lends itself to versatility. Substitute other cheeses, herbs or rice; add sausage, chicken, fish (shrimp would be fantastic) or toasted nuts. Have fun and make it your own.
The next time it is time to clean out your refrigerator, be sure you listen well – there just might be some shredded carrots snapping to get your attention.
Enjoy!
BACON…a side note.
To read how to make PERFECT STOVE-TOP BACON CRUMBLES on The Cookie Rookie.
Honey Goat Cheese Carrot & Couscous Casserole
Ingredients
- 3-5 medium carrots total of 1½ cups shredded carrots
- 8 strips Bacon thin-sliced, (divided in-half)
- ½ ounce 1/2 package Honey Goat Cheese
- ½ small sweet yellow onion diced
- 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
- 2 cups cooked 3/4 cup dry tri-color couscous
- 1/8 teaspoon Bouquet Garni – or your favorite
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
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- For Topping:
- ½ cup Panko crumbs
- 1- tablespoon butter melted
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- For Garnish:
- Bacon crumbles the saved half / *see notes on bacon crumbles
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Spray a 1½-2 quart baking/casserole dish.
- Shred the carrots with a food processor or box grater and place in a large bowl. Set aside.
- Cut bacon crosswise into ¼” pieces. Peel and dice the onion. Heat oil or butter in a medium skillet - add bacon pieces and onion. Cook on medium until the bacon is crispy and onion is translucent. Once cooked, transfer onion/bacon mixture to a paper-towel lined plate to drain. Once drained, add to carrots.
Cook couscous according to package directions. Once cooked, drain thoroughly then add to the carrots, bacon, onion and goat cheese.
- Add Bouquet Garni, salt & black pepper to the carrot mixture and mix well.
- In a small bowl, combine Panko crumbs and melted butter, mix well.
- Pour the carrot/couscous mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread the panko/butter crumbs on top.
- Bake 25-30 minutes or until golden on top. (If needed, broil the dish for a few minutes until the top turns golden.)
- If desired, sprinkle crispy bacon pieces on top.
- Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
*For Perfect Stovetop Bacon Crumbles - http://www.thecookierookie.com/perfect-bacon-crumbles/
Del's cooking twist
Looks healthy and really tasty! :)Susie Gall
Thank you, Del! Thanks for coming by!Linda (Meal Planning Maven)
What a beautiful holiday side dish! I love the idea of using honey goat cheese and tr-color couscous!Susie Gall
Thanks for EVERYTHING, Linda!!!!A. Glen
I wonder if this would work with Quinoa for higher protein and vitamin content.Aunt Bee
Oh my goodness, you had me at honey goat cheese! This is AMAZING!Susie Gall
Thank you, Brandi - I think you will love it. It has become a favorite recipe.Culinary Flavors
I first tried couscous many years ago in Morocco and I loved it! This one looks so tasty and delicious!Susie Gall
Thanks so much, Katerina and thanks for coming by.kristy
When do you add the goat cheese?Susie Gall
Hello Kristy, I'm so glad you asked about the goat cheese, because I left that information out. I'm so sorry. Add the goat cheese at the same time you add the carrots, bacon and onion. I have updated the recipe. Thanks so much for taking the time to ask...I truly appreciate the feedback. Have a great week. Susie