Pasta recipes

A simple and scrumptious pasta dish that is perfect for a hearty lunch or light dinner.

This dish is best at room temperature, although it is good hot or cold also. I have given just the basic recipe; you can add all kinds of things, like corn, fresh tomatoes, cilantro, scallions, blanched chayote squash, etc.

Low-sodium pasta sauce simmered with tomato puree, white wine, garlic, shallots, and a pinch of nutmeg. A fresh, herb-bright marinara for weeknight pasta without the salt.

Creamy acorn squash soup with warm spices (mace, ginger, cinnamon), pureed smooth with chicken broth, then simmered with ditalini pasta and topped with sweetened sour cream.

Chilled pasta and crab salad tossed with creamy mayo, garlic, and diced onion. Add broccoli, peas, or cauliflower for a loaded cold pasta dish that's perfect for potlucks.

Stir-fried chicken and tender-crisp broccoli tossed with penne in a creamy Dijon mustard sauce. A lighter weeknight pasta ready in 45 minutes with no heavy cream needed.

Linguine tossed with fresh spring vegetables including asparagus, broccoli, snow peas, mushrooms, and leeks. A light, veggie-packed pasta dish that puts the season's best produce front and center.

Mexican pasta pie layered with ziti, taco-seasoned tomatoes, black beans, chicken, ricotta, and cheddar. A baked casserole that combines pasta night with taco night in one dish.

Pasta stuffed pizza-style, jumbo pasta shells filled with shredded zucchini, torn pepperoni and Italian bread crumbs, baked under tomato sauce, mozzarella and Parmesan. A pizza-night mashup in shell form.

Cold spaghetti pasta salad tossed with diced cucumber, red bell pepper, fresh tomatoes, tomato sauce, and bottled Italian dressing. A potluck classic that travels well and tastes better the second day.

Creamy crawfish pasta in a Dijon mustard cream sauce made from crawfish-soaked milk. Two pounds of tender tails over fresh pasta, Cajun-style and ready in an hour.

Layered turkey pasta salad: a 15-minute glass-bowl showpiece with mixed greens, tomatoes, turkey, cheddar, and creamy pasta salad. A Thanksgiving-leftover makeover worth showing off.

Homemade Mexican herb pasta made with durum semolina flour and dried cilantro using a pasta machine. A simple 4-ingredient fresh pasta with Southwestern flavor.

Packed with colorful veggies. Makes an excellent main course. Leave meat out of the equation and try this tasty dish that will satisfy your hunger like no other.

Grandma's shortcut Italian sausage rigatoni with jarred pasta sauce, a splash of cream, and fresh Parmesan. Weeknight comfort in 40 minutes with just 6 ingredients.

Pasta and peas tosses ditalini macaroni with sweet peas, sauteed mushrooms, and a quick tomato juice sauce. Melted fontina cheese pulls it all together for a 30-minute Italian weeknight dinner for two.