Pasta/5 recipes

Baked until bubbly, broccoli and cauliflower casserole makes a nearly complete meal or side for your main protein. Instead of using a can of soup which ends up being too salty you make your own using mushrooms and milk.

Homemade Italian potato gnocchi from baked potatoes, egg yolk, and flour. Fork-pressed, boiled until they float, and served with butter and Parmesan. Pillowy dumplings from scratch.

Sun-dried tomato pasta sauce with no canned tomatoes. Dry-packed tomatoes rehydrate in boiling water, then split between a blended puree and chunky halves for real texture. Vegan, 20 minutes.

Chicken and pasta in Thai peanut sauce tosses thin spaghetti, seared chicken, broccoli and red pepper in a creamy, nutty sauce with a kick of crushed red pepper. A 20-minute weeknight dinner.

Sun-dried tomato pesto: oil-packed sundried tomatoes blended with parmigiano-reggiano, toasted walnuts, garlic, and warm olive oil. A deeper, more savory alternative to basil pesto.

A spiced oil made with carrots, sweet bell peppers and red pepper flakes that can really spice up pasta or steamed vegetables.

Forest fettucine with morels and breast of pheasant: handmade morel-powder pasta tossed in a morel cream sauce, topped with seared pheasant breast and buttered fiddlehead ferns. Spring foraging season on a plate, fine-dining style.

Breakfast spaghetti tossed with beaten egg, butter, and grated cheese over low heat. A quick, savory morning pasta like a simple carbonara for breakfast.

Easy, and quick and impresses the heck out of your guests! I sometimes add thyme, or oregano to my dough when mixing (about 2 teaspoons) and this adds nicely to the taste of the dough.

Shrimp and tomato in scallop shells with garlic, fennel seed, lime juice, and parsley. A quick, elegant appetizer or light main that comes together in 30 minutes.

Lighter spinach lasagna made with low-fat cottage cheese, egg substitute, and Italian seasoning layered with spaghetti sauce and melted mozzarella. All the comfort, fewer calories.

Roasted pecans blended with fresh spinach, white miso, garlic, olive oil, and nutmeg into a rich, dairy-free pesto. Vegan, ready in 20 minutes, and incredible tossed with hot pasta.

Creamy dairy noodle kugel with sour cream, cottage cheese, eggs, and golden raisins baked until set and golden. A forgiving Jewish comfort food classic that feeds a crowd.

Onions slow-braised in butter for an hour until deeply caramelized, finished with Madeira wine, and tossed with pasta and Parmesan. Five ingredients, one knockout sauce.

Baked ziti with ground beef, ricotta, Parmesan, and mozzarella in spaghetti sauce. A cheesy, meaty pasta bake that feeds a crowd and comes together with minimal prep.

Add some variety to your salads this summer with this scrumptious crowd-pleaser.