Pasta/4 recipes

Pasta al pesto with homemade basil and pine nut pesto, tossed with steamed carrots, sauteed zucchini, and snow peas. A fresh, vegetable-loaded Italian pasta dinner.

An orzo pasta crust filled with ricotta, spinach, and nutmeg, topped with spaghetti sauce and melted mozzarella. A creative twist on savory pie that kids and adults both devour.

Vegetarian penne baked with broccoli, spinach, and white wine, topped with melted Parmesan and cheddar. A quick green-loaded pasta bake with nutmeg-scented vegetables.

A trail-ready vegetable beef soup made with freeze-dried veggies, pasta shells, and Parmesan. Just add water at camp for a hot, filling bowl after a long hike.

A delicious macaroni casserole that's always fun to make and will always satisfy your family's appetite.

Marinated shrimp and sweet peppers come off the grill smoky and charred, then toss with lemon-chive pasta, feta, and briny olives for Mediterranean flair.

Garbanzo soup with chickpeas, elbow macaroni, and dried mint in a savory beef broth. Topped with Parmesan and parsley for a hearty one-pot meal ready in 45 minutes.

A quick one-pot soup with crispy bacon, shredded cabbage, pasta, and vegetables simmered in beef broth. Warm, filling comfort food ready in 30 minutes.

Try this devilishly delicious pasta dish made with pineapple juice, bananas and scotch bonnet chili peppers.

Vegetable-packed alphabet soup with barley, tomatoes, and peas in a chicken-beef broth. Wholesome, colorful, and satisfying without any meat.

Cajun shrimp pasta with linguine tossed in a slow-simmered tomato sauce spiked with cayenne, thyme, Worcestershire, and hot sauce, finished with Parmesan.

Whole hard-shell crabs simmered in a garlicky tomato sauce with red pepper flakes, cracked and tossed over spaghetti. Messy, hands-on, and worth every napkin.

Cold shrimp pasta salad with wine-poached shrimp, fresh basil, sweet peas, and bell pepper in a Dijon-garlic vinaigrette made from the shrimp poaching broth. A no-mayo pasta salad packed with fresh flavor.

Vermicelli with a chunky vegetable tomato sauce loaded with red peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, and fresh herbs. A hearty vegetarian pasta dinner that's low in fat and full of flavor.

Butter-seared chicken strips with mushrooms, scallions, and garlic tossed in a rich pan sauce over pasta. A romantic dinner for two that's ready in 40 minutes.

Wasn't sure about using ground chicken instead of beef to make bolognese, but I was surprised by how flavorful it turned out. For ground chicken, I just chopped chicken breasts into tiny pieces, and it worked like a charm. I have to say that I will definitely be making this recipe again very soon.