Skillet Baked Ziti

Delish!

Skillet Baked Ziti

Ingredients

• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 teaspoons olive oil
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• salt and pepper
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes (I like Hunts)
• 3 cups water
• 12 ounces ziti pasta (3¾ cups)
• 4 ounces (1/2 cup) part-skim ricotta
• ½ cup heavy cream or half and half
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 tbsp basil, dried
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
  

Instructions

1. Combine 1 tablespoon oil, garlic, pepper flakes, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in 12-inch skillet and saute over medium-high heat until fragrant, about 1 minute.
2. Add crushed tomatoes, water, ziti and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
3. Cover and cook, stirring often and adjusting heat as needed to maintain vigorous simmer, until ziti is almost tender, 15-18 minutes. Make sure you don't cook it too much. It will continue to cook as you go.
4. Meanwhile, combine ricotta, remaining 1 teaspoon oil, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper in a bowl. Set aside.
5. Stir in cream, Parmesan, and basil into the skillet and season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Add dollops of the ricotta mixture with a spoon and sprinkle mozzarella evenly over ziti.
7. Cover the skillet with a lid and melt the cheese.