Pasta/7 recipes

An Italian spinach lasagna with a slow-simmered meat sauce of ground beef, pancetta, chicken livers, and dried porcini mushrooms layered with ricotta and Parmigiano-Reggiano. Old-world flavor in every bite.

Italian pumpkin pie from the Po Valley with pasta frolla crust, fresh pumpkin filling, ground almonds, cornmeal, and candied orange peel. A rustic Northern Italian autumn dessert.

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.

Traditional Italian Pasta Fagioli Bean Soup recipe

Traditional Ragu alla Bolognese with hand-chopped veal, beef, pancetta, dried porcini, wine, milled tomatoes, and a finish of heavy cream. The authentic long-simmered Italian meat sauce.

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.

During the fall and winter I make homemade soup once a week. I’ve got dozens of delicious soup recipes, but the Pizza Soup was the favorite of our sons, Keith and Mark. It’s really easy to make. I apologize for the inexact quantities, but this is another recipe that I’ve never written down…and haven’t made it since last winter! I’ve given the basic recipe, but don’t be afraid to add other items you enjoy on your pizza…including a dash of red pepper sauce!

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.

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.