Recipe Sifter

Pastichio (Greek lasagna) with ziti, seasoned ground meat, crumbled feta, cream cheese, Parmesan, and eggs baked into a rich, set casserole. A simplified take on the classic Greek baked pasta.

Hearty one-pot minestrone loaded with swiss chard, spicy pepperoni, lima beans, and pasta in a savory beef broth. A filling Italian-style soup that feeds six in about 30 minutes.

Vegetarian bulgur chili with kidney beans, mushrooms, and tomatoes. Bulgur wheat absorbs the spiced broth and adds a meaty chew without any meat. Ready in 50 minutes.

Oven-barbecued short ribs braised in a Burgundy wine and tomato sauce with mustard, vinegar, and cayenne. Browned first, then slow-baked covered until fork-tender and falling off the bone.

Vegetarian lentil pie in a whole wheat double crust with celery, Brazil nuts, soy sauce, and warming spices of cinnamon and cloves. A hearty meatless main with savory-sweet depth.

A thick, belly-warming chicken soup loaded with pearl barley, lentils, and tomatoes, seasoned with Adobo and Sazon for a Latin-inspired twist. Feeds six in under an hour.

A light, brothy Mexican pozole with tender fish, hominy, tomatoes, green chiles, and cumin, finished with fresh lime. This seafood twist on the classic soup is ready in 30 minutes.

A thick vegan split pea stew packed with sweet potato, broccoli, Roma tomatoes, and fresh dill. High in fiber and protein with under 1 gram of fat, this plant-powered bowl is weeknight meal prep gold.

Green tomato relish with onions, red bell peppers, and banana peppers in a tangy white vinegar brine with pickling spices. A classic end-of-season canning recipe that yields 11 pints.

Full-flavored borscht in 40 minutes flat, thanks to the pressure cooker. Beets, cabbage, carrots, parsnips, and tomatoes in a rich beef stock with caraway and allspice. Finished with vinegar and sour cream.

A stunning layered terrine of baked eggplant, ripe tomato wedges, and buffalo mozzarella set in a light tomato gelatin. Chilled, pressed, and sliced for an elegant appetizer.

Here is how Boston chef William Poirer makes red chowder, and it is good enough to convert the most diehard white chowder fanatic.

Stuffed eggplant filled with quinoa, chickpeas, walnuts and peppers in a savory tomato base, then baked tender. A hearty, high-protein vegan dinner with a complete plant-protein punch.

John Wayne's cheese casserole with Monterey Jack, cheddar, green chiles, and a fluffy egg souffle base. A legendary Southwestern-style baked cheese dish with a light, puffy texture.

One-skillet Mexicali franks with browned hot dogs served over chili-spiced rice, pinto beans, tomato, salsa, and melted Monterey Jack. A cheap, kid-friendly Tex-Mex dinner that feeds six.

If you don't have a lot of time on your hands to be in kitchen, then try this succulent dish made with fish fillets, shrimp and clams.