Skillet Baked Spaghetti

This beef recipe, Skillet Baked Spaghetti, leans on lean ground beef or turkey, garlic and Pinch of red pepper flakes. It makes 6 servings and takes about 35 minutes.

• Yield 6 servings
• Ready in 35 minutes
• Prep 15 minutes
• Cook 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 pound lean ground beef or turkey
• 2 cloves garlic (finely minced or pressed)
• Pinch of red pepper flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 12 ounces spaghetti (broken into 2-inch pieces)
• 3 (15-ounces each) cans crushed tomatoes
• 3 cups water
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 4 ounces light cream cheese (softened and cubed)
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. In a large 12-inch nonstick skillet (see note above) that is oven-safe, cook the ground beef or turkey with the garlic and red pepper flakes over medium to medium-high heat, breaking the meat into small pieces, until the meat is cooked through, 5-6 minutes. Drain any excess grease, if needed.
2. Stir in the oregano, basil, thyme, spaghetti, crushed tomatoes, water, salt and pepper. The skillet will be very full! You are going to want to curse my name. It's ok. If you stir carefully, you'll be fine. Just kind of lift the pasta up and over to get everything well combined.
3. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat and cook, covered, stirring every once in a while to prevent sticking and break up the noodles, for 12-14 minutes, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed. It's ok if it still looks quite liquidy as it will continue to thicken while it broils and rests. While the pasta cooks, preheat the broiler.
4. Stir in the cubed cream cheese until it has melted and combined with the pasta. Sprinkle the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over the top and broil until golden and bubbly, 2-3 minutes.
5. Remove the skillet from the oven and let it sit for 5 or so minutes before serving.

Give it a minute off the heat, then serve it while it is still hot.