Courtesy of Hello, Cereal Lovers (@hellocereal)

Cereal: it's what's for dinner. In celebration of National Cereal Lovers Week, Justin Warner, winner of Next Food Network Star, created recipes using cereal in new and unusual ways that brought the traditionally morning meal into the night. And who better than Warner, known for his creative interpretation of ingredients throughout his time on TV, to reinvent pasta carbonara with cocoa puffs?

We may have been skeptical at first, but after taking a bite of this already decadent dish, we were pleasantly surprised at the hint of sweetness and new texture the little chocolate balls bring to the plate. Don't trust us? Try making half of this recipe without cereal, and half with. Then, let us know in the comments which you prefer. Sorry-we can't help it-we're crazy for the cocoa puffs.

Cocoa Puffs® Carbonara

Serves 4

Ingredients:

2 eggs

1/2 teaspoon grated lemon peel

2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

1 cup grated fresh Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup Cocoa Puffs® cereal

4 slices bacon, diced

2 2/3 cups rotini pasta (8 oz)

Finely chopped fresh parsley

Directions:

In small bowl, beat eggs, lemon peel, lemon juice, cheese and cereal; set aside.

In 12-inch skillet, cook bacon until crisp. Re­serve bacon drippings with bacon; set aside.

Cook pasta as directed on package; drain.

Add pasta to skillet with bacon and drip­pings; toss. Over medium heat, gradually add egg mixture, stirring constantly, to make a sauce. Toss; sprinkle with parsley.

Recipe reprinted with permission from General Mills.