Recipe Sifter

Chicago Italian beef sandwiches with thinly sliced roast beef simmered in herbed gravy and piled on Italian bread. Dipped wet, topped with peppers and giardiniera.

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.

No-bean chili with a veal, beef, and pork blend simmered in canned tomatoes with chili powder, cumin, and a splash of red wine vinegar. Texas-style heat in 80 minutes.

Ground turkey simmered with crushed tomatoes, red wine, capers, and fresh herbs piled over roasted spaghetti squash strands. A hearty low-fat, low-calorie dinner that doesn't skimp on flavor.

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.

Eggplant and pasta shells in a tomato-wine sauce with mushrooms, green pepper, red onion, and oregano. An oil-free vegetarian pasta sauteed in water and vinegar.

Gazpacho salad takes all the fresh vegetables from the classic cold soup and serves them chopped over lettuce with a tangy herb dressing. No cooking, no blender, just crisp tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers chilled until the flavors meld.

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.

Fettuccine Alfredo with sauteed mushrooms, butter, half-and-half, and a blend of mozzarella and Romano cheeses. A simpler, vegetarian take on classic Alfredo with earthy mushroom depth.

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.

Eggplant Italiano sauteed with mushrooms, peppers, and tomatoes, then baked under melted mozzarella until bubbly and golden. A hearty Italian vegetable casserole.

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.

Beef skirt steak fajitas marinated in lime juice, tequila, garlic, cumin, and oregano overnight then grilled. Served in warm tortillas with salsa and guacamole.