5 ingredient skillet baked pasta

Sometimes less is more ... like in the case of this amazing cheesy, saucy, and comforting pasta dish that only requires five ingredients. Yep, just five. Pasta, tomato sauce, sausage, mozzarella, and ricotta. Sometimes more is more .... like in the case of wine and dessert {both sure would go well with this dish}. In any case, this recipe is perfect for those days when measuring and mixing seems like too much, when you're too tired to carry a large bag of groceries, or when you just need some cheese and carbs in your life {aka all days that end in "y" for me}. 

I also really enjoyed having only my skillet to clean... again, less is so much more. 

Here's what you'll need... 
3/4 lb penne pasta
1/2 lb italian sausage (turkey and chicken sausage work well too)
1 jar of your favorite tomato sauce
8 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese

Here's what to do... 
Cook pasta to al dente according to instructions on box. Drain well and set aside. Remove sausage from casing and cook in large skillet over medium high heat until cooked through. Use the back of a large spoon to break apart sausage. Spoon about 1/4 cup of your tomato sauce into the bottom of your skillet and spread a thin layer over the bottom of the skillet. Put half of your cooked pasta into the skillet, spreading into an even layer. Top with half of the sausage, 1/2 cup of tomato sauce, 1/2 of the cheese mozzarella cheese, and dollop 1/2 cup of the ricotta over pasta evenly. Top with remaining pasta, then remaining sausage, 1/2 cup sauce, and finish with remaining cheeses. Bake at 375 degrees for about 25 minutes. Turn broiler on high and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes under broiler, until cheese is bubbly. Sprinkle 1 tsp of italian seasoning over the top (optional 6th ingredient but just as yummy without it!)