Tomatoes/6 recipes

Vegetarian spinach and mushroom lasagna with ricotta-spinach filling and a pureed mushroom-soy sauce in place of tomato. British-style meatless main with deep umami flavor for 6.

Sweet pickled cherry tomatoes simmered in a thick sugar syrup with fresh ginger, lemon juice, and lemon rind until jewel-like and transparent. Makes 6 pints of gorgeous homemade preserves.

Rotolo di Spinaci: hand-rolled pasta dough filled with spinach, walnuts, ricotta, and mozzarella, simmered in cheesecloth then baked in tomato sauce. A classic Italian stuffed pasta roll for 6.

Sun-dried tomato quiche with mozzarella, Parmesan, fresh basil, and a flaky homemade crust. This rich, custardy brunch centerpiece serves 4 to 6 and comes together in about an hour.

A freezer-ready chili base made from roasted pasilla, Anaheim, and red peppers with tomatoes, cumin, and cinnamon. Portion it out, freeze for 6 months, and build any chili you want.

This Tex-Mex chicken and rice casserole layers creamy sour cream rice with a cumin-spiced tomato chile sauce, melted cheddar, and crunchy corn chip topping. Easy weeknight dinner for 6.

A big-batch Southern chow-chow relish made with half-ripe tomatoes, celery, green peppers, and onions in a tangy brown sugar and vinegar brine. Cures for 6 weeks before serving.

Classic meatloaf loaded with shredded carrots, celery, and tomato sauce, seasoned with soy sauce and a kick of hot pepper sauce. Feeds 6-8 and needs just 15 minutes of hands-on prep.

Big-batch weekend chili that feeds 30 to 40 people, slow-simmered for 6 hours with ground beef, kidney beans, Rotel tomatoes, and bold spices. The ultimate game day or potluck crowd-pleaser.

Freezer-friendly chicken and noodle casserole in a red wine tomato-mushroom sauce with basil and garlic. Make it ahead, freeze in individual portions, and reheat on busy nights. Serves 4 to 6.

Authentic Texas border chili with coarsely ground beef shank, chorizo, fresh serranos, and toasted cumin seeds simmered 4 to 6 hours in pureed tomatoes and beer. No beans. No apologies. This is the real thing.

Slow cooker vegetarian chili with red kidney beans, brown rice, potatoes, cabbage, and tomatoes. Set it and forget it for 6 to 8 hours, then ladle out thick, hearty bowls for a crowd of 8.

Set-it-and-forget-it slow cooker barbecue chicken simmered in a tangy tomato, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Just 10 minutes of prep and 6 to 8 hours on low for fork-tender, saucy chicken.

A whole fish baked Cuban-style on a bed of sauteed onions and peppers, rubbed with a garlic-oregano paste and bathed in tomato puree, lime juice, and white wine. Feeds 6 in under 80 minutes.

Slow cooker pork shoulder steaks browned and layered over onions, peppers, and tomatoes in a cumin-spiked barbecue and red wine sauce. Set it for 6 to 8 hours and come home to fork-tender, saucy pork.

Chopped cooked turkey simmered in a thick tomato-chili sauce with dry mustard and onion, spooned over hamburger buns. This low-calorie, 6-ingredient turkey barbecue is ready in 20 minutes and stretches leftovers into a new meal.