Pasta/4 recipes

Chile rubbed shrimp pizza Vera Cruz style with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, and a zesty Texas gremolata of lime zest, garlic, and cilantro. Bold Tex-Mex meets pizza night.

Italian meat sauce built on a proper soffritto of onion, carrot, and celery with ground beef, mushrooms, red wine, and beef stock. A slow-simmered Bolognese-style ragù.

Sauteed shrimp in a rich cream cheese and Swiss cheese sauce with white wine, broiled under golden breadcrumbs. Serve this elegant French-inspired casserole over rice or pasta in under 45 minutes.

Macaroni and cheese souffle bakes corkscrew pasta in a smoky paprika-cayenne cheese sauce enriched with beaten egg yolks for a lighter, puffier version of the comfort classic. A weeknight casserole with soufflé ambitions.

Sweet and sour pasta salad with kamut spirals, kidney and black beans, red pepper, scallions, and basil. A protein-packed vegan picnic salad that holds up beautifully for make-ahead lunches.

Fresh garden vegetable pasta tosses spaghetti with a chunky sauce of tomatoes, carrots, celery, and onion, simmered with basil and garlic. A naturally vegan, low-fat dinner that lets summer vegetables shine.

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.

Cilantro pesto pasta with macadamia nuts, ginger, lime, and chile. A punchy 15-minute Thai-leaning pasta that swaps the basil-pine-nut combo for something brighter and hotter.

Mediterranean stuffed meatballs hide blanched vegetables inside seasoned beef with Parmesan and nutmeg, breaded and deep-fried, served over spaghetti with ratatouille sauce.

Winter pesto made with fresh parsley and dried basil when fresh basil is out of season. Pine nuts, Parmesan, garlic, and olive oil blended smooth for pasta, soups, or bread.

Whole wheat noodle casserole with sauteed mushrooms, sunflower seeds, yogurt, and cheese topped with breadcrumbs. A crunchy, creamy vegetarian bake.

Cold crab dip with cream cheese, mayonnaise, sharp aged cheddar, hard-boiled eggs and minced onion. Mixed in 10 minutes and refrigerated. Serve with crackers, toast points or crudites for parties.

Single-serving noodle bake with cooked noodles, green beans, and melted cheddar cheese, finished with a sprinkle of paprika. A budget-friendly diabetic-friendly weeknight bake.

This dish has a mild, sweet taste with a hint of terragon.

Condimento Pugliese: roasted red pepper spread with olive oil and red pepper flakes. A chunky Italian condiment for crostini, pasta, or bruschetta. Five ingredients, no cook.

Traditional Croatian mlinci: yeasted flatbread baked until crisp, then soaked in salted water and drenched in melted butter or roast drippings. The classic side for roast poultry.