Rotini with Swiss Chard & Bacon

Here is a recipe I made up last night. I actually measured and wrote down what I put in it this time! ALl of my family liked it, even the boys.

1 lb. tri-color rotini
8 strips of thick sliced bacon
1 lb. fresh chard
1 1/2 cup cottage cheese
1 large egg
1/3 cup pesto
1 cup Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup milk
2 Tablespoonsful chopped fresh parsley
1 cup grated mozzarella cheese

Cook rotini according to package directions and drain. Cook bacon and reserve drippings. Cook chard in bacon drippings til wilted and tender. In a separate bowl, mix cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, salt, pepper, parsley, pesto and milk. Add rotini, bacon, and cooked chard. Top with grated mozzarella. Bake in a 9" x 13"x2" casserole for 30 minutes at 350 F.
Just for the record, I read that chard that isn't freshly picked can taste bitter, so be sure to use as fresh as possible (farmers market or from your garden). I used homemade cottage cheese, but storebought is probably OK, too.