Pasta recipes

Quick Italian pasta shells tossed with garlic-sauteed shrimp, fresh green beans, sun-dried tomatoes, and crushed red pepper in olive oil. A 25-minute weeknight dinner with big Mediterranean flavor.

Quick Southeast Asian rice vermicelli with crisp-tender vegetables, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, and roasted peanuts. Ready in 25 minutes by microwave or stovetop with both methods included.

Creamy walnut sauce with garlic, Parmesan, butter and olive oil tossed with egg tagliarini. A rustic Italian pasta ready in 30 minutes flat.

Potato garbanzo gnocchi: instant mashed potatoes bound with chickpea and rice flour, deep fried into crispy fritter-style dumplings with garlic and cayenne. Naturally vegan, ready in 15 minutes.

Polpo con salsa, Italian octopus braised in tomato sauce with garlic, dry sherry, and optional ink for deep, rich flavor. Tender after one hour of gentle simmering.

Tuna lemon and caper pasta tossed with Italian oil-packed tuna, extra-virgin olive oil, garlic, parsley, and lemon zest. A no-cook pantry sauce ready while the pasta boils.

Egg tagliarini tossed with sun-dried tomato strips, Parmigiano-Reggiano, garlic, parsley, and lemon juice in the reserved tomato oil. A no-cook Italian pasta sauce ready in 20 minutes.

Zlicni rezanci are traditional Croatian drop noodles made from a simple egg batter spooned into boiling broth. Just four ingredients, 15 minutes, and you have tender homemade noodles for soup or a buttery side dish.

Thai street-style dry egg noodles (Bamee Haeng) tossed with garlic oil, fish sauce, and sweet-sour sauce. Topped with bean sprouts, ground peanuts, and your choice of meat.

Serve this dish for breakfast, lunch or as a snack or as a side dish in a Western- style meal.

Quick weeknight stroganoff with tender beef strips, canned mushrooms, and onion soup mix folded into tangy sour cream sauce: ready in 15 minutes over egg noodles.

Roman pie is a chilled, layered pasta terrine: cheesy macaroni, turkey, mushrooms, ham, and anchovy set in jellied consomme. A make-ahead Italian-style centerpiece served cool and sliced like a cake.

A simple but succulent chicken dish that can be served with pasta, rice or a crusty bread.

Pan-seared salmon simmered in fresh grapefruit, carrot juice, orange-ginger mustard, and a splash of sesame oil, finished with toasted slivered almonds and cilantro. Bright, citrusy, and low-fat.

Chicken livers browned in bacon drippings, simmered in dry sherry and tomato sauce with mushrooms, onions, and herbs. Served over rice, polenta, or pasta with grated Parmesan. Ready in 20 minutes.

Slow-simmered spaghetti sauce with ground beef, three types of tomatoes, cream of mushroom soup, and chili powder. Two hours of uncovered cooking builds deep, rich flavor.