Pasta recipes

Fava bean and tiny pasta salad with blanched carrots, chives, and a red wine vinegar-basil dressing. A light, marinated vegan side served at room temperature.

Pasta primavera in a light evaporated milk sauce with mushrooms, bell peppers, and garlic sauteed in dry sherry. A low-fat vegetarian pasta with no butter or cream.

Pasta with pesto and grilled chicken: linguine tossed with jarred or homemade pesto and charred chicken pieces. Quick 30-minute dinner, warm or room temperature.

Two-ingredient pasta salad with ratatouille stirred into cold cooked pasta. A no-fuss meal ready in 15 minutes when you need something fast.

Cilantro pesto pasta with macadamia nuts, ginger, lime, and chile. A punchy 15-minute Thai-leaning pasta that swaps the basil-pine-nut combo for something brighter and hotter.

Rose and poppy seed pasta with shell pasta, sweated onion rings, garlic, and fresh rose petals tossed in just before serving. A vegan floral pasta dish that's simple and elegant.

Italian sausage, sweet peppers, onion, and a whole head of garlic roast together until caramelized, then toss with penne and a tangy roasted-garlic balsamic dressing. Great hot or as a room-temp pasta.

Salmon and tomato pasta: flaked canned salmon and fresh basil-tomato baked over pasta with a cheesy top. A pantry-friendly weeknight bake that comes together in about 30 minutes.

Buttery angel hair pasta with broccoli, browned garlic, red pepper flakes, and Parmesan. A 15-minute Italian-style weeknight dinner with big flavor.

Caramelized onion and basil pasta with five pounds of sweet onions slow-cooked into a golden, jammy sauce deglazed with brandy. Tossed with fresh basil and Parmesan. Simple and stunning.

Pasta shells tossed in a carrot sauce made by simmering chopped carrots, celery, garlic, and thyme in vegetable stock until reduced by half. Vegan, light, and naturally sweet with a red pepper flake kick.

Quick angel hair pasta tossed with tender broccoli, stewed tomatoes, fresh herbs, and bright lemon juice for a light vegetarian dinner in 40 minutes.

Light and fast, this is great for surprise guests.

Olive Garden-style pasta fagioli with great northern beans, stewed tomatoes, spaghetti sauce, and spiral pasta. A one-pot Italian soup that simmers in a Dutch oven.

Hearty pasta and lentil soup with mushrooms, tomato paste, garlic, and ground ginger. A thick, protein-rich Italian-style soup that cooks in one pot.

Whole wheat pasta dough: a simple eggless pasta made with whole wheat pastry flour and all-purpose flour, water, and a touch of olive oil. The base for handmade fettuccine, lasagna sheets, or ravioli.