Pasta recipes

Ratatouille spaghetti pie turns a pressed spaghetti crust into the base for a chunky eggplant, zucchini, and pepper ratatouille, topped with pepperoni and a Parmesan-breadcrumb crust. A veg-packed pasta bake.

Low-fat spaghetti Napoli loaded with bell peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes, and basil. A colorful vegetarian pasta dinner that's on the table in just 20 minutes.

One-pot vegetarian noodles with broccoli, yams, and mushrooms tossed in melted mozzarella, soy sauce, and thyme. Everything cooks in the same pot of water.

Mee Krob: Thai crisp-fried rice noodles tossed in a sweet-sour-salty sauce with pork, chicken, or shrimp, topped with lacy fried egg nets. Crunchy, tangy, showstopping.

Nothing is more fascinating and delicious than eating at the open- air street hawker centers in Asia, particularly in Singapore. Each stall serves a specialty, typically an honest, unpretentious, home-style dish for $1 to $3 a plate. This rice noodle dish is hawker food at its best. If done right, its fragrance will tell you how good it's going to be as soon as it arrives at your table.

Asian-inspired sesame dressing with toasted sesame seeds, peanut butter, roasted garlic, dry mustard, and a sweet-tangy vinaigrette base. Ready in 5 minutes.

Thai kanom jin nam prik curry noodles built on a fragrant coconut-moong bean sauce with red curry paste, tamarind, and crispy fried shallots and garlic. Rich, tangy, and earthy, served over soft rice noodles with long beans and sprouts.

Chicken marinara made with a fast homemade tomato sauce of diced tomatoes, tomato paste, red wine, and basil spooned over cooked chicken pieces. A 25-minute weeknight Italian dinner with pantry staples.

Green tomato puree simmered two hours with just water and sugar, then blended smooth. A tangy pasta sauce that turns unripe end-of-season tomatoes into something worth keeping. Freezes beautifully.

Crawfish au gratin baked in a rich double-cheddar sauce with sauteed bell pepper, celery, and onion. A bubbly, cheesy Cajun casserole that's pure Louisiana comfort food.

Salsa pesto blends fresh basil, garlic, and onion with butter, olive oil, Parmesan, and toasted pine nuts for a richer, creamier spin on classic Genovese pesto. Toss with pasta, spread on grilled bread, or spoon over roast chicken.

Stir-fried rice noodles tossed with garlic, ginger, shredded cabbage, bean sprouts, and fresh basil, finished with crushed peanuts and lime. A vegan Thai noodle dish ready in under 40 minutes.

Curried sesame sauce made with tahini, curry powder, and soy sauce. A rich, nutty vegan sauce for mashed potatoes, pasta, biscuits, or roasted vegetables.

Hearty lentil tomato sauce with dried lentils, fresh tomatoes, and Italian herbs simmered into a thick, protein-rich vegetarian pasta sauce. Meaty texture without the meat.

Grilled lamb chops with Gorgonzola cream sauce reduced from white wine, heavy cream, blue cheese, and butter. A steakhouse-style entree for special-occasion dinners.

Peanut noodles toss fresh Chinese flour noodles with a quick peanut butter, chili-garlic paste, and fish sauce sauce. Six ingredients, 20 minutes, proper Southeast Asian flavor.