Description
Cheesy Baked Ziti Skillet
“A comforting, cheesy, and meaty pasta bake that’s perfect for family dinners!”
Ingredients
For the Pasta & Sauce:
12 oz ziti or penne pasta
1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
2 cups marinara sauce
1/2 cup heavy cream or ricotta cheese
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
Salt & black pepper to taste
For the Cheese Layer:
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup shredded cheddar or provolone
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
Fresh parsley or basil for garnish
Instructions
Cook the Pasta
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook ziti/penne until al dente, drain, and set aside.
Prepare the Meat Sauce
In a large oven-safe skillet or pan, brown the ground beef/sausage over medium heat.
Drain excess fat and stir in marinara sauce, heavy cream/ricotta, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
Combine Pasta & Sauce
Add the cooked ziti pasta to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce.
Add the Cheese & Bake
Sprinkle mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
Transfer the skillet to a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Garnish & Serve
Sprinkle with fresh parsley or basil. Serve hot & enjoy!
Pro Tip: For extra flavor, add red pepper flakes or a sprinkle of garlic butter before baking! Want to make it extra creamy? Mix in a spoonful of ricotta cheese!
