Foodie Friday: Ain't Nobody Got Time...

I absolutely looove lasagna! The meat, the gooey cheese, the pasta...doesn't get much better. EXCEPT--i hate making it. It takes so.much.freaking.time!!!!! Boil the noodles, cook the meat, add the sauce, meticulously layer and layer and layer....then after all that, you have to bake the thing for an hour!! AND CLEAN UP!! You know what I say ....

Or maybe you prefer the words of wisdom from Miss Brown herself...

But never fear! This recipe has all of the yummy flavors of lasagna but it takes 1/3 of the time! I have to say, this is a family fave. I have never seen kids devour a plate of food so quickly. You'll love it!!

 "Ain't Nobody Got Time for That"--Skillet Lasagna
1 package of bow tie pasta (or whatever pasta you like)
1 lb of ground beef (i use 93% lean)
1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
1 small onion, diced
1 cup chicken stock
1 jar of your favorite marinara sauce (you know I only use Gina Rispoli!!!)
1 cup grated mozzarella (or more)
1/2 cup Ricotta
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
Salt/Pepper/Red pepper flakes to taste
Fresh Basil

1. Cook pasta according to package directions; set aside.

2. In the meantime, brown up the ground beef in a drizzle of olive oil. When beef is nearly brown, add in onions and season with about a teaspoon of each salt/pepper and Italian Seasoning. Cook for about 3 minutes.

3.  Add chicken stock, bring to a boil and simmer a few minutes longer.

4. Add in marinara sauce and simmer about 10 minutes until all flavors are combined.

5. Turn off the heat. Add mozzarella, ricotta and Parmesan. Stir until all cheeses are melted and combined. 

6. Toss in the pasta and stir to coat. Note: I usually only end up using about 3/4 of the box of pasta because my family likes it really saucy :) Season with salt or pepper if needed. Add red pepper flakes if you like, for a bit of heat.

7. Sprinkle with more Parmesan cheese and fresh basil, serve it up and watch it disappear!

Now THIS is somethin' you got time for :)

Oh...and in honor of Valentine's Day, if you really want to say "I love you," don't forget to make my Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake. Throw some strawberries on top and you're a hero. You got time fo' that!!!

XO ~ Casey