Pasta recipes

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.

Baked zucchini and tomatoes arranged in overlapping layers with bell pepper and olive oil. A naturally vegan side dish that comes out crisp-tender in 25 minutes flat.

Biskuitstreifle, a traditional German soup garnish of light baked egg-and-flour strips. A sponge-like savory dough cut into thin batons, dropped into broth just before serving for body and bite.

Classic southern Italian marinara sauce with fresh Roma tomatoes, garlic browned in extra-virgin olive oil, and basil stirred in at the end. Just 6 ingredients, freezer-friendly.

This is great spread across the top of broiled salmon or halibut fillets. You can also toss it with pasta as a simple side dish, or add broiled or steamed slices of chicken, seafood, or vegetables to make a main dish.

Ramen noodles upgraded with cubed chicken, broccoli florets, and cream of mushroom soup for a 30-minute pantry dinner. Cheap, filling, and way better than the packet alone.

Low-carb lasagna swapping noodles for sliced zucchini, layered with a slow-simmered beef and red wine meat sauce, creamy ricotta, melted mozzarella, and Parmesan. All the comfort, none of the pasta.

Asian-inspired sesame dressing with toasted sesame seeds, peanut butter, roasted garlic, dry mustard, and a sweet-tangy vinaigrette base. Ready in 5 minutes.

Spicy cold peanut noodles with soy sauce, hot bean sauce, garlic, and sesame oil tossed with chow mein noodles. Ready in 25 minutes for a quick Chinese-inspired weeknight dinner.

Spaghetti with a rich simmered ground beef sauce loaded with mushrooms, scallions, garlic, and tomatoes. Inspired by the Italian port city of Brindisi, ready in 45 minutes.

One-pot vegetarian noodles with broccoli, yams, and mushrooms tossed in melted mozzarella, soy sauce, and thyme. Everything cooks in the same pot of water.

Chicken livers browned in bacon drippings, simmered in dry sherry and tomato sauce with mushrooms, onions, and herbs. Served over rice, polenta, or pasta with grated Parmesan. Ready in 20 minutes.

Leftover turkey makes this delicious and creamy dish, and it is such an easy and simple recipe to make as well.

Curried sesame sauce made with tahini, curry powder, and soy sauce. A rich, nutty vegan sauce for mashed potatoes, pasta, biscuits, or roasted vegetables.

Hearty lentil tomato sauce with dried lentils, fresh tomatoes, and Italian herbs simmered into a thick, protein-rich vegetarian pasta sauce. Meaty texture without the meat.

Crawfish au gratin baked in a rich double-cheddar sauce with sauteed bell pepper, celery, and onion. A bubbly, cheesy Cajun casserole that's pure Louisiana comfort food.