Basil/8 recipes

Polenta pie sets a rosemary corn polenta crust in a springform pan, then layers grilled squash, eggplant, and roasted peppers inside. A vegetarian Italian showpiece, served chilled.

Cajun-spiced fried eggplant or zucchini gets a triple coating of seasoned flour, egg wash, and breadcrumbs before hitting hot oil. Cayenne heat with a surprising powdered sugar dusting at the end.

Easy ratatouille roasts eggplant, zucchini, summer squash, peppers, red onion, and Roma tomatoes in one pan with a Dijon-balsamic-garlic marinade. The shortcut version of the classic Provencal vegetable stew.

Rolled calzone stuffed with pesto, ham, capicola, provolone, roasted red peppers, and pepperoncini. Homemade herb pizza dough baked golden and sliced into pinwheels.

Cornbread stuffing layers crumbled herbed cornbread with chicken livers, chestnuts, dried apricots, raisins, pine nuts, almonds, and apple. Rich and complex Thanksgiving showstopper.

A loaded stromboli stuffed with ham, pepperoni, salami, mozzarella, and Swiss, with peppers, onion, and Italian herbs, sealed in bread dough and baked golden. Sliced and served with warm pizza sauce for dipping.

Skip the noodles! This crescent roll lasagna wraps seasoned ground beef, creamy cottage cheese, and melted mozzarella in buttery, golden dough. Ready in one hour with make-ahead flexibility.

Bread machine focaccia loaded with kalamata olives, pine nuts, roasted red peppers, and Italian herbs. Toss everything in, press start, walk away. Mediterranean flavor with zero effort.

Plump shrimp in a from-scratch tomato-basil sauce with mushrooms, served over fettuccine with tender asparagus and Parmesan. A light, veggie-loaded Italian dinner ready in 35 minutes.

Ratatouille casserole with layers of pre-roasted eggplant, zucchini, yellow squash, tomatoes, and sauteed peppers baked with fresh herbs. A light, Provencal-style vegetable bake.

Triple cheese burgers: stuffed beef patties with cottage cheese and Parmesan inside, simmered in tomato sauce and topped with melted cheese. Retro skillet dinner.

Bruschetta with chopped tomato salad featuring red and yellow bell peppers, capers, fresh basil, and balsamic vinegar. Low-fat, no oil, served as a mound alongside garlic-rubbed toast.

Pasta in almond garlic sauce blends blanched almonds, raw garlic, and parmigiano-reggiano into a silky, dairy-light coat for cavatappi. Fresh basil, mint, and a squeeze of lemon keep it bright.

Oven-baked chicken Kiev with boneless breasts dipped in butter, coated in a Parmesan-herb crumb crust, and finished with a white wine, scallion and parsley butter sauce. A baked take, no deep frying required.

Freezer-friendly eggplant and tuna casserole layered with breaded eggplant, zucchini, mozzarella, and a seasoned tomato-wine sauce. Make two, bake one now, freeze one for later.

Louisiana-style red beans and rice with a bold spice mix and an unexpected addition of grape juice for sweetness. No meat, all flavor, cooked from dried beans.