Pasta recipes

Italian-American spaghetti and meatballs with a three-meat blend (beef, pork, veal), a slow-simmered tomato sauce with red wine, and parmesan-bread crumb meatballs browned then finished in sauce.

A fragrant homemade Chinese ten-spice blend with toasted star anise, Szechuan peppercorns, fennel, coriander, and cumin. Toast, grind, and store for marinades, stir-fries, sauces, and meat rubs.

Butter-seared chicken breast simmered in white wine, heavy cream, and chewy sun-dried tomatoes with a hint of Cajun spice. Ready in 40 minutes, serve over pasta for a rich weeknight dinner.

Tofu and ricotta spinach lasagna blends crumbled tofu into the ricotta for a lighter, protein-packed cheese layer, stacked with spinach, tomato sauce, and noodles. A hearty vegetarian lasagna that bakes up creamy.

Spinach ricotta gnocchi tossed in a simple butter-cream Parmesan sauce. Handmade Italian green gnocchi that are light, pillowy, and freezer-friendly.

Irish-style spaghetti sauce with ground beef, red wine, tomato puree, chicken broth, and a warm hint of nutmeg. Simmered for an hour into a rich, velvety meat sauce.

Italian no-cook tomato cucumber summer salad with red onion, basil, parsley, and a touch of red pepper flakes. Italian-style topping for bruschetta or tossed cold with pasta.

Fragrant Asian pesto with peanuts, fresh basil, mint, cilantro, green chilies, and ginger. A bold, herbaceous sauce for noodles that's ready in 15 minutes. Vegetarian-friendly.

Mediterranean stuffed meatballs hide blanched vegetables inside seasoned beef with Parmesan and nutmeg, breaded and deep-fried, served over spaghetti with ratatouille sauce.

Mediterranean turkey casserole with egg noodles, artichoke hearts, kalamata olives, roasted red peppers, and two cheeses in a white wine cream sauce. A great way to use leftover turkey.

Quick beef spaghetti sauce with ground beef, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, and a glug of white wine stirred in near the end. Ready while the pasta boils.

Vegetable lasagna layered with zucchini, spinach, mushrooms, and a red wine tomato sauce. Make-ahead and lighter than meat lasagna, with cottage cheese standing in for ricotta.

Chicken liver and prosciutto lasagne layered with ricotta, Parmesan, and mozzarella in a rich wine-tomato sauce. An Italian-style baked pasta worth the effort.

Middle Eastern halvah cake made with tahini, semolina, and warm spices, soaked in a citrusy orange-lemon syrup. Dense, fragrant, and not overly sweet.

Classic fettuccine Alfredo sauce with just butter, cream, and Parmigiano-Reggiano. Four ingredients, 30 minutes, and a plate of pure Italian indulgence.

Lobster stir-fried in sesame and chili oil, tossed with angel hair pasta, shiitake and oyster mushrooms, bell peppers, and a rich soy butter sauce. Restaurant-level wow factor at home.