Pasta recipes

Polenta pasticciata layers firm cooled polenta squares with porcini-spiked beef ragù, plum tomatoes, and grated pecorino into a rustic Northern Italian bake. Lasagne, but with cornmeal instead of pasta.

Slow cooker chicken and kielbasa simmered with navy beans, tomato paste, red wine, and warm spices. A hearty French cassoulet-style stew from frozen chicken with just 5 minutes of prep.

Quick coq au vin delivers the classic French chicken-in-red-wine stew in 40 minutes using boneless thighs, cremini mushrooms, carrots, and Canadian bacon. A weeknight-friendly version of the traditional braise.

Smoky, velvety tomato soup made with fire-kissed tomatoes, crispy bacon, red wine and a kick of cayenne. Ready in 30 minutes and leagues beyond anything from a can.

Italian-style pot roast is a beef chuck braised for three hours with soffritto, tomato paste, red wine, and Italian herbs. Sliced beef plus pasta sauce over spaghetti, feeds eight.

Classic boeuf bourguignon, beef slowly braised in red wine until fork-tender, with smoky bacon, sweet little onions, and buttery mushrooms. The deeply savory French beef stew worth the slow oven time.

Make this sophisticated and scrumptious dish hassle-free by using the crockpot you got for Christmas last year.

Red wine, tomato, and rosemary sauce simmers a French mirepoix with red wine, tomato paste, and fresh rosemary, then thickens with arrowroot for a glossy, fat-free finish. Versatile for meats, polenta, and pasta.

Hearty beef chuck ragout braised in red wine and balsamic vinegar with sun-dried tomatoes, butternut squash, and fresh herbs. A warming fall and winter stew that freezes beautifully.

Beef stew braised in red wine with a tart twist: fresh cranberries pulsed with brown sugar and flour stir in at the end for a sweet-tangy sauce. Make it ahead and it only gets better.

Greek-style turkey stuffing with three meats, chestnuts, pine nuts, and white raisins simmered in red wine and tomato paste. A meat-forward holiday stuffing with rice instead of bread cubes.

A hearty Bulgarian stew of lentils and navy beans simmered with sweet red peppers, paprika, and herbs in a rich broth deepened with prune juice and tomato paste. Vegan-friendly and high in fiber.

Classic French Provencal dish usually cooked in a heavy casserole on the stove top or in the oven; would also work well in slow cooker. Use inexpensive stewing beef or oyster blade; it will not be anywhere near as good if you use more expensive cuts of beef.

Slow cooked classic, beefy just bursting with flavor, easy to make and feeds a crowd. Perfect for company.

Layers of wine-braised lamb, silky eggplant, and creamy ricotta béchamel bake into this classic Greek casserole. Warming cinnamon and nutmeg make it unforgettable.

Greek-style beef stew braised in red wine with cinnamon, cumin, cloves, and currants, topped with melted Muenster cheese and toasted walnuts. A warmly spiced, make-ahead casserole.