America's Test Kitchen Skillet Baked Ziti

berly333's Note:

From the TV show, only one pan, easy clean-up and very good flavor.

• Total Time: 35 mins
• Prep Time: 25 mins
• Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 6 garlic cloves , minced
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• salt & fresh ground pepper
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 3 cups water
• 12 ounces ziti pasta (3 3/4 cups)
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ½ cup parmesan cheese , grated
• ¼ cup fresh basil leaf , minced
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese , shredded

Directions:

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat oven to 475.
2. Combine oil, garlic, pepper flakes, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in 12-inch ovensafe nonstick skillet and saute over medium-high heat until fragrant, about 1 minute. (If your skillet is not ovensafe, transfer the pasta mixture into a shallow 2-quart casserole dish before sprinkling with the cheese and baking).
3. Add crushed tomatoes, water, ziti and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
4. Cover and cook, stirring often and adjusting heat as needed to maintain vigorous simmer, until ziti is almost tender, 15-18 minutes.
5. Stir in cream, Parmesan, and basil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Sprinkle mozzarella evenly over ziti. Transfer skillet to oven and bake until cheese has melted and browned, about 10 minutes. Serve.

Reviews

[Chef #1550695]

This has become a family favorite. I use rigatoni instead of ziti, and two 14 1/2 oz cans of petite diced tomatoes w garlic & olive oil instead 28 oz of crushed. It is fantastic!

[Chef Johnny Roastbeef]

One of the easiest, if not the easiest pasta recipe I've ever made. I pan fried some italian style chicken sausage before hand and added it back in to enhance the flavor. WOW! ok? WOW! Can be made very easily and efficiently at a fire station.

[Chef #931263]

I love this recipe! I've also been known to add in some zucchini (sauteed in butter and garlic) as well as mushrooms.