Pasta recipes

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.

Classic Italian pasta sauce from Amatrice with bacon, onions, tomatoes, and red wine. Rich, savory, and deeply flavored after a long simmer.

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.

Kasha varnishkes is the classic Jewish comfort dish: toasted buckwheat groats coated with egg, simmered with caramelized onions and porcini mushrooms, then tossed with bowtie pasta.

Spaghetti in a fresh tomato sauce brightened with orange juice, garlic, basil, and a dash of hot sauce. A simple vegetarian pasta with an unexpected citrus twist.

Potato and cheese lasagna: layered casserole of thinly sliced russet, sweet, and red skin potatoes with garlic, olive oil, cheddar, and mozzarella. Pasta-free comfort food for eight.

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.

A fast chicken and pasta skillet where bottled Italian dressing does double duty, browning the chicken and saucing the vegetables. Served over spaghetti with parmesan, ready in about 25 minutes.

Final assembly step for handmade pappardelle with rich duck ragù. Hand-cut egg pasta ribbons tossed with warm duck sauce and parmesan, served on heated plates with more cheese at the table.

Goan ginger-scented tomato and cabbage soup is a light, vegetable-forward broth with fresh ginger, garlic, and a finish of torn mint leaves. Served ladled over alphabet pasta for a playful Indo-Portuguese coastal twist.

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

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.