1,250 black pasta recipes

Thick, paprika-rich vegetarian goulash with red kidney beans, mushrooms, red peppers, and potatoes. Miso adds savory depth to this hearty one-pot stew. Serve over rice or noodles.

Oven-braised beef short ribs in tomato paste gravy with onions, carrots, and celery, served over noodles tossed in the pan drippings. Slow-cooked comfort food that falls off the bone.

Poc-Chuc, the classic Yucatan grilled pork steak marinated in sour orange and achiote paste, served with habanero-spiked pickled red onions. Traditional Maya-style barbecue straight from Merida.

Old-fashioned bean and bacon soup made with dried pinto beans, smoky bacon, carrots, celery, and a splash of vinegar at the end. Slow-simmered, hearty, and far better than the canned version.

Nach Waxman's legendary slow-roasted beef brisket with a mountain of caramelized onions and a smear of tomato paste. Four hours in the oven, no liquid added, just pure beefy flavor.

This meat sauce is great for various dishes: spaghetti, moussaka, and the Greek mararoni dish, Pastitsio. It is also good spooned over tacos or ladled inside avocado half shells. This recipe makes a large quantity and freezes well.

Provençal anchovy paste pounded with garlic and olive oil, spread thick on bread, then baked until golden for rustic French toast that's salty, garlicky, and completely addictive.

Thai-style stir-fried spinach with crushed garlic, soy bean paste, dried red chilies, and tomato wedges. A bold, savory side dish that comes together in the wok in under 5 minutes.

Slow-simmered Italian tomato sauce with 4 pounds of fresh plum tomatoes, garlic, basil, oregano, and a full tablespoon of black pepper. Three hours on the stove.

Super cheese pizza sauce: a herb-loaded tomato paste base with oregano, marjoram, garlic and onion. Spread on crust, layer with mozzarella and parmesan, and bake at 450F for 8 minutes.

Mapo tofu is a Sichuan classic: silky tofu simmered with ground pork, black bean garlic sauce, and red chili paste, ladled over steamed white rice.

Killer shrimp: fiery herb-and-garlic broth with rosemary, thyme, fennel, and red pepper, simmered long then poached shrimp added at the end. Eaten with your fingers and plenty of bread.

Hot Indian chicken curry blooms cumin and cardamom in oil, then builds a tomato-onion masala with ginger, garlic, and Thai chili. Garam masala spiced, served over rice.

Spanahorizo is a traditional Greek one-pot dish of spinach and rice simmered in a garlicky tomato broth with olive oil and fresh parsley. Naturally vegan and deeply comforting.

Aubergine or Eggplant dip Serve with warm Pita or Lebanese bread

Crispy deep-fried salmon croquettes made with flaked salmon, mashed potatoes, and anchovy paste for a savory umami punch. Breaded and fried until golden with a tender, creamy center.