Túrós Csusza (Hungarian Pasta with Cottage Cheese)

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1. 1Step 1: Set a large pot of salted water on to boil (use 1 - 2 teaspoons of salt).
2. 2Step 2: Stack the bacon slices on top of each other, cut them in half lengthwise, then cut crosswise to make ½-inch (1cm) dice. Cook the bacon in a large skillet (big enough to hold all the ingredients in later) over medium heat until it is golden-brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon bits to a plate and set it aside. Leave the bacon fat in the skillet and turn off the heat.
3. 3Step 3: Break the lasagna noodles into bite-sized chunks (1 to 2 inches in diameter). When the water boils, drop in the pasta shards, stirring continuously while adding them so they don't stick together. Stir them for a minute or two, until the water comes back up to a boil. Cook the noodles for the time suggested on the package, stirring occasionally (if using gluten free noodles, stir often, as they tend to stick together more).
4. 4Step 4: Drain the pasta and add it to the skillet with the bacon fat. Turn the heat under the skillet back on to medium. Season the pasta with salt and pepper to taste.
5. 5Step 5: Add ½ of the cottage cheese, ½ cup of the sour cream, and half the bacon bits to the pasta (use 1 cup of sour cream if using dry curd cottage cheese.) Toss to mix it. Cook the pasta until it is heated through and some of the cottage cheese curds are beginning to melt. Add the remaining ¼ cup of sour cream if the pasta looks a bit dry.
6. 6Step 6: Pile the pasta onto a serving platter, top with the remaining ½ cup of cottage cheese and the remaining bacon bits. Sprinkle with a bit of paprika and the green onions or chives, if desired.