Recipe Sifter

Made this Italian grilled cheese with 15-minute tomato soup (see the linked recipe below) for lunch, and what more can I say other than delicious. Grilled cheese and tomato soup are a classic pair, so it always a winner.

Meticulously seasoned ground chicken placed on top of a delicious golden brown fried plantain to create a scrumptious edible boat.

Breaded and golden-fried goat cheese medallions are a great appetizer served with a drizzle of honey, garnished with sliced or diced peppers and spread on baguette slices. These little beauties would also be great atop a green salad.

A succulent and savory lasagna made with mild pork sausage, mushrooms and a variety of tasty cheeses.

Spanish rice with avocado toasts long-grain rice in butter and olive oil with onion and garlic, simmers it in seasoned chicken broth, then folds in diced avocado off the heat. A creamy, savory pilaf with cumin, oregano, and a golden turmeric tint.

Microwave meatloaf shapes seasoned ground beef into a ring around an inverted custard cup and cooks in 15 minutes flat. A weeknight shortcut for tender meatloaf without firing up the oven.

Microwave Italian pot roast braises chuck in Worcestershire, oregano, and garlic with potatoes, carrots, and tomato-mushroom gravy. A tender all-in-one roast done in the microwave.

Hamburger pizza with a quick Bisquick yeast crust topped with seasoned ground beef, tomato sauce, oregano, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Two pizzas in one hour.

Skip the noodles! This crescent roll lasagna wraps seasoned ground beef, creamy cottage cheese, and melted mozzarella in buttery, golden dough. Ready in one hour with make-ahead flexibility.

Italian lasagna with ground beef, ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan layered with a homemade tomato meat sauce. A big-batch recipe that makes four 8x8 pans, perfect for feeding a crowd or freezing ahead.

Greek-style macaroni pie (pastitsio) with feta cheese, cinnamon, oregano, mint, and tomatoes, topped with a creamy yogurt-egg-feta bechamel. A vegetarian baked pasta casserole cut into squares.

Caribbean-style baby back ribs marinated in a from-scratch sofrito with annatto oil, cilantro, Anaheim chile, guava jelly, and coffee liqueur. Baked low and slow until tender.

Chunky black bean dip with carrot, celery, garlic, and warm spices folded into sour cream. Half-mashed beans give body while whole beans add bite. No-cook party dip ready in 15 minutes.

Meatless farmer's chili with kidney beans, zucchini, corn, carrots, and bulgur wheat in a cumin-chili tomato broth. Hearty, crunchy, and better the next day.

Quick beef spaghetti sauce with ground beef, garlic, green pepper, basil and oregano. Weeknight meat sauce ready in under 30 minutes.

Texas-style no-bean chili with coarse ground beef and suet, loaded with chili powder, cumin, and cayenne. A purist's bowl of red with no tomatoes, no beans, just meat and spice.