Recipe Sifter

Pasta with tomato, chard, and sunflower seed sauce where ground toasted sunflower seeds thicken a fresh tomato-basil sauce. A vegan, nut-free pasta with hidden protein and earthy greens.

Baked chicken legs with a lemon-herb seasoning roasted until golden, then smothered in mushroom gravy and baked again until fork-tender. A two-stage roasting method for maximum flavor.

Spinach and mushroom Florentine lasagna with ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan layered three times and baked under marinara or tomato-cream sauce. A vegetarian restaurant copycat.

Vegetarian baked pasta with mushrooms, bell pepper, and tomatoes, layered with a cottage cheese filling and topped with savory tomato sauce. Lighter, lower-fat take on classic baked ziti.

Vegetarian Mexican stuffed peppers filled with brown rice, black beans, cumin, and chili powder, baked in a tomato sauce. A hearty plant-based main dish with warm Southwestern spices.

Italian stuffed meatloaf layered with zucchini, mushrooms, black olives, and mozzarella, blanketed in spaghetti sauce. A showstopping party loaf that serves a crowd of twenty.

Homemade beef and pork sausage seasoned with sage, cumin, aniseed, and red pepper flakes. Stuff into casings for links or shape into patties for grilling.

Macaroni and cheese baked into firm, sliceable squares with eggs, breadcrumbs, and a quick herbed tomato sauce. A retro pantry dinner that actually holds its shape on the plate.

Bruschetta with chopped tomato salad featuring red and yellow bell peppers, capers, fresh basil, and balsamic vinegar. Low-fat, no oil, served as a mound alongside garlic-rubbed toast.

Italian turkey sausage patties with lemon zest, bread crumb coating, herbed tomato sauce, and melted mozzarella. A lighter skillet sausage Parmesan in under 45 minutes.

Bacon-topped meatloaf made with a classic mix of ground beef, pork and veal, seasoned with marjoram, oregano and basil. Shaped into round loaves and crossed with bacon for a crisp, salty crust.

Italian bean and pasta salad with anasazi beans, spinach spaghetti, fresh vegetables, and a lemon-herb dressing. A no-cook, protein-packed side that improves as it chills.

Linguine with white clam sauce built from canned minced clams, garlic, olive oil, and Italian herbs. Italian-American pantry pasta on the table in 35 minutes for 8.

Vegetarian chili with bulgur wheat, kidney beans, chickpeas, and a hearty veggie base. Vegan, protein-packed, and meatier in texture than most plant-based chilis.

Cozy lentil and brown rice soup with diced tomatoes, carrots, garlic, and Italian herbs simmered into a thick, hearty one-pot meal. Gluten-free, low-fat comfort that gets better the next day.

Low-fat fettuccine primavera tossed with broccoli, red bell pepper, and a microwave cheese sauce made from skim milk, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Light, creamy, and under 30 minutes.