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So you need a quick dinner, huh?
Simple ingredients, simple to cook and simply comforting.
Oh, and hey would you look at that. It’s red and it is Valentines Day. Plus it’s pasta. Extra plus it is cheesy. Real cheesy. And not just any cheese, gouda cheese. Which just makes everything that much better. Don’t ya think?
So you want to know the truth?
I totally screwed up today’s original post. Like bad.
I was going to make this fancy dish. With like fancy expensive cheese. It was going to be just awesome. The perfect romantic dinner for Valentines day. Somewhere, I went wrong. For one I think the cheese I used was bad. It had no smell and was just kind of off. Then I added just too much of something, probably salt and definitely too much liquid. I do not know what I did, but it was not good. Nor was it pretty. By this point the kitchen was a disaster. Yeah, and you thought food blogging was soooo glamorous.
Whatever. I am over it. I made something better anyway. Something uncomplicated and just as cozy. As Kai says, “Sometimes you just makes things too complicated.” But he is referring to how I stuff his cookie dough with things like peanut butter, oatmeal and nutella. He’s a little weird.
Quick + Easy Cheesy Baked Skillet Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 pound gemelli pasta or other short cut pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves large garlic, minced
- 1 ounce can san marzano whole peeled tomatoes, 28
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 2 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1/2 cup of marinara sauce, plus more if desired
- pinch of salt
- pinch of pepper
- 1 1/2 cups shredded gouda cheese
- 1 cup shredded fresh mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- fresh basil, for serving
Instructions
- Cook gemelli according to directions on package. Drain and set aside. Preheat broiler.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Saute garlic over medium high heat for 1-2 minutes, stirring so the garlic doesn’t burn. Add tomatoes, dried basil, parsley, oregano and crushed red pepper. Season with salt and pepper. Begin to break up the tomatoes using the back of a wooden spoon and simmer for 5-10 minutes or until mixture thickens slightly.Continue to break up the tomatoes as you stir. Add the marinara and 1/4 cup parmesan cheese. Remove from heat and add to the pasta, toss well. Add more marinara sauce if you like more sauce. If your skillet is not oven safe transfer to a baking dish.
- Top with the shredded gouda and mozzarella cheese and place under broiler for 5-8 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Sprinkle with fresh basil and serve with parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
I would suggest ending this meal with some Truffle Cookies, Chocolate Cake or Dark Chocolate Creme Brulee. Or maybe all three. Yeah all three for sure. It is Valentines Day!
Shared with: Inside BruCru Life, Lil Luna, Chef In Training, Buns In my Oven, Foodie Friday Friends, Tidy Mom, Taste and Tell, Cheerios and Lattes, Somewhat Simple, Mom and Timeout, I Heart Nap Time, Fine Craft Guide, The Country Cook
Now this is a meal for my guys! Thanks for sharing at Show Me Your Plaid Monday’s!
This looks wonderful! Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friends Friday!
This looks wonderful! I’m such a pasta lover. Pinned!
Thank you and thanks for pinning!
We are pasta fiends, and I’m always looking for easy new ones. I love lasagna, but it’s such a pain! Thanks for sharing at Church Supper. Have a blessed week & come back soon.
Sounds like the perfect quick easy and yummy comfort food !!!
This looks absolutely delicious! Thanks for sharing!!
Selene @ restorationbeauty.com
All that cheese is making me swoon in ecstasy! Delish!
This looks absolutely amazing! I am pinning this to make for my family real soon. I would love it it if you would share it at my new link party. http://www.realcoake.blogspot.com/2013/02/real-family-fun-1.html
Have a great weekend.
KC
This looks so yummy! Visiting from Foodie Friday!
This couldn’t look any better! Amazing!
this looks delish! i love the cheesy pic!
That is my favorite pic to!
I love gouda cheese and this looks delicious. What a great easy dinner for the family! Thanks for linking up to the Weekend Potluck. Have a terrific weekend!
This is like a Pizza pasta! LOVE! 🙂
I found you through the Foodie Friday link up . . . this sounds and looks AMAZING. 🙂
This looks so great! Can’t wait to try it! Thanks for linking!