Basil/7 recipes

Fresh garden tomato pasta salad with Roma tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and a full cup of fresh basil. Served hot or chilled, this simple summer pasta celebrates peak-season tomatoes.

Ziti with cheese: hot pasta tossed with diced mozzarella, Parmesan and fresh herbs, then slicked with warm garlic-infused oil so the cheese melts into gooey, stretchy pockets. A fast, no-cook-sauce pasta in minutes.

Spinach lasagne with sauteed mushrooms, tomatoes, garlic, and fresh wilted spinach folded into a three-cheese filling. A vegetarian Italian lasagna with no jarred sauce needed.

Lemon garlic pasta sauce with white wine, stewed tomatoes, fresh basil, and Parmesan. A bright, light vegetarian sauce made in one skillet in under 20 minutes.

Caprese salad tosses red and yellow tomato wedges with fresh mozzarella, basil, and parsley. The classic three-ingredient Italian salad (plus a few herbs) done right with summer's best tomatoes.

Creamy Arborio risotto with smoked chicken, melted Brie, oven-dried tomatoes, pine nuts, and asparagus tips. An elegant one-pot Italian dinner with deep smoky-savory notes.

Sun-dried tomato pasta sauce with no canned tomatoes. Dry-packed tomatoes rehydrate in boiling water, then split between a blended puree and chunky halves for real texture. Vegan, 20 minutes.

Killer bread piles parmesan-mayo topping spiked with Cajun spice, basil, and oregano on a toasted buttered loaf. A party appetizer puffed golden under the broiler.

Pressure cooker Hoppin' John with brown basmati rice, wild rice, black-eyed peas, collard and mustard greens, and stewed tomatoes. A hearty Southern one-pot classic.

Beef liver seared and simmered in stewed tomatoes with green pepper, basil, sherry, and garlic, spooned over hot rice. Old-school Cajun comfort for liver lovers.

Penne pasta with a blended tuna-walnut pesto sauce, lemon zest, fresh basil, and parsley. A quick no-cook sauce made in the food processor and tossed with hot pasta in 30 minutes.

Creamy corn and ham chowder with potatoes, shallots, fresh basil, and a milk-based broth. A comforting one-pot soup for summer corn season or year-round leftovers.

Turkey pita pockets stuffed with cherry tomatoes, red onion, fresh basil, and lettuce tossed in a balsamic-brown sugar vinaigrette. A fresh, no-cook sandwich using leftover turkey.

Herbed cheese tarts bake as mini savory cheesecakes with cream cheese, cottage cheese, and Swiss in breadcrumb-lined muffin cups. Finished with sour cream, caviar, or olives for cocktail parties.

Pressure cooker beef stew with chuck, carrots, celery, peas, and leeks in a tomato-Worcestershire broth. Fork-tender beef stew in under 45 minutes total.

Shrimp pasta aglio e olio with garlic, dill, basil, and parsley tossed in a light butter sauce. Ready in 30 minutes start to finish. A quick weeknight Italian-style dinner for two.