Recipe Sifter

Stuffed polenta with meat sauce: two layers of Parmesan polenta sandwiching a meaty tomato-basil sauce and mozzarella, baked hot until bubbly. A lighter Italian alternative to lasagna.

Pork with red chili sauce, braised cubes of pork shoulder simmered with chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic, and a whisper of honey. Tender Tex-Mex taco filling for warm tortillas with rice and beans.

Gluten-free pizza with a crispy rice crust made from cooked rice, Parmesan, and egg. Topped with sauteed mushrooms, peppers, and bubbly mozzarella.

Competition-style Texas chili with 4 pounds of cubed round steak, 14 spices including curry and cinnamon, green chiles, and a secret weapon: milk chocolate melted in at the end.

Hearty fish soup loaded with haddock, cod, scallops, shrimp, and clams in a tomato broth with garlic, oregano, and bay leaves. A cioppino-style seafood stew.

Spicy white chicken chili with great northern beans, green chilies, Monterey Jack cheese, cumin, and cayenne. A creamy, cheesy twist on classic chili ready in 45 minutes.

A layered baked spaghetti casserole with crumbled tofu, cottage cheese, and melty mozzarella in a herb-tomato sauce. The surprise? It's vegetarian and nobody will guess.

Guisado rico, a Mexican pork stew with roasted loin simmered in green chiles, tomatoes, beer, and chicken broth. Served in bowls with cilantro, refried beans, and warm tortillas.

Beef vegetable soup with egg noodles in a spicy Italian tomato broth. Ground beef, frozen vegetables, oregano, chili powder, and cayenne make this a filling one-pot meal topped with Parmesan.

Vegan oatburgers with mushrooms, soy sauce, nutritional yeast, and herbs. Baked until firm with a savory, meaty flavor. Makes a big batch of 20 to 25 patties.

Baked mushroom pate with cream cheese, Italian herbs, and a full pound of fresh mushrooms. A rich, savory vegetarian appetizer served at room temperature with crackers.

Hearty Italian spaghetti with ground beef, tomato sauce, tomato paste, black olives, and green peppers simmered 90 minutes. A slow-cooked Sunday sauce topped with Parmesan cheese.

Taco chicken grill marinates oven-baked chicken in a tangy taco-spiced barbecue sauce with molasses and tomato, then finishes over coals with melted Monterey Jack. Two-stage cooking for fall-off-the-bone tender meat with a smoky crust.

A unique lasagna layered with seasoned ground beef, spaghetti sauce, olives, corn, peas, and melted mozzarella. This family-size casserole puts a creative Midwestern spin on classic Italian lasagna.

Vegan red lentil lasagna loaded with broccoli, mushrooms, zucchini, and corn in a tomato-herb sauce, topped with a dairy-free nutritional yeast cheese sauce.

Crumbled silken tofu scrambled with mushrooms, red pepper, green olives, scallions, and a hit of turmeric for color. Vegan, protein-packed, and ready in 40 minutes.