Pasta/6 recipes

Mustard-glazed ham steak microwaved over cabbage and onion with Dijon, honey, and red wine vinegar. Fifteen-minute weeknight dinner for busy nights.

Spinach lasagne with sauteed mushrooms, tomatoes, garlic, and fresh wilted spinach folded into a three-cheese filling. A vegetarian Italian lasagna with no jarred sauce needed.

Buffalo chicken lasagna layered with hot sauce-spiked tomato sauce, ricotta, and crumbled blue cheese on top. Wing-night flavor in casserole form, no frying required.

Cold peanut noodles tossed in a blended peanut sauce with soy, garlic, sesame oil, and cayenne. Topped with steamed carrots, snow peas, cucumber, and green onions.

Italian-American spaghetti and meatballs with a three-meat blend (beef, pork, veal), a slow-simmered tomato sauce with red wine, and parmesan-bread crumb meatballs browned then finished in sauce.

Egg drop and noodle soup with Parmesan cheese, spinach, and egg noodles in chicken broth. An Italian-inspired twist on classic egg drop soup ready in 30 minutes.

Cincinnati chili: a thin, fragrant ground beef sauce spiced with cinnamon, allspice, and cumin, ladled over spaghetti and topped with shredded cheddar, raw onion, and oyster crackers. The Ohio classic.

Creamy broccoli lasagna layered with Swiss cheese, cottage cheese, and a velvety bouillon-spiked white sauce. A meatless casserole that turns weeknight pasta into something hearty.

A fragrant homemade Chinese ten-spice blend with toasted star anise, Szechuan peppercorns, fennel, coriander, and cumin. Toast, grind, and store for marinades, stir-fries, sauces, and meat rubs.

Cold chicken pasta salad with sharp cheddar, pepperoni, and Belgian endive in Italian dressing. A make-ahead dish that's even better after chilling overnight.

Butter-seared chicken breast simmered in white wine, heavy cream, and chewy sun-dried tomatoes with a hint of Cajun spice. Ready in 40 minutes, serve over pasta for a rich weeknight dinner.

Mediterranean turkey casserole with egg noodles, artichoke hearts, kalamata olives, roasted red peppers, and two cheeses in a white wine cream sauce. A great way to use leftover turkey.

Spinach ricotta gnocchi tossed in a simple butter-cream Parmesan sauce. Handmade Italian green gnocchi that are light, pillowy, and freezer-friendly.

Pasta e fagioli the proper Italian way: dried red kidney beans slow-baked with sage and garlic, then simmered with pancetta and a sofrito of carrot, celery, and onion. Half the beans get pureed for that signature silky, stew-thick body.

Tuscan-style white beans simmered with sage, garlic, plum tomatoes, and chicken broth. Dried beans cooked from scratch for a creamy, rustic Italian side or pasta topping.

Lobster stir-fried in sesame and chili oil, tossed with angel hair pasta, shiitake and oyster mushrooms, bell peppers, and a rich soy butter sauce. Restaurant-level wow factor at home.