15 pasta balsamic recipes

Grilled shrimp over penne pasta tossed with fresh tomatoes, basil, and a balsamic-Dijon vinaigrette. A summery main dish that comes together while the grill is hot.

Gnocchi with chickpeas, butternut squash, and greens pan-sears pillowy gnocchi, then tosses them into a skillet of sage-scented squash, currants, garlic, and wilted spinach. A hearty vegetarian one-pan meal.

No-cook pasta sauce with ripe tomatoes, fresh basil, diced mozzarella, garlic, and balsamic vinegar tossed with hot penne. A fresh summer pasta that lets peak tomatoes shine.

Flageolet beans sauteed with garlic and tarragon, tossed with fusilli pasta and finished with balsamic vinaigrette. A light, French-inspired vegetarian pasta dish with creamy beans.

Italian sausage, sweet peppers, onion, and a whole head of garlic roast together until caramelized, then toss with penne and a tangy roasted-garlic balsamic dressing. Great hot or as a room-temp pasta.

Pasta e fagioli simmers tender navy beans, canned tomatoes, and macaroni in a basil-and-oregano broth, with onions sautéed in balsamic instead of oil. A naturally lean Italian peasant soup.

Rotini pasta tossed with chickpeas, broiler-roasted red peppers, roma tomatoes, fresh basil, and balsamic vinegar. A vegetarian Italian pasta dish that travels well for potlucks and picnics.

Ziti with a raw fresh tomato-olive sauce made with kalamata olives, capers, balsamic vinegar, fresh basil, garlic, and red pepper flakes, topped with crumbled goat cheese and Parmesan.

Tuna pasta salad with white beans, asparagus, roasted red peppers, and black olives in a balsamic-Dijon dressing. A protein-packed cold salad for meal prep or potlucks.

Red pepper and lentil pasta sauce braised in red wine with garlic, onion, and basil, then pureed silky smooth. A hearty vegan sauce packed with plant protein and bold flavor.

Hearty beef chuck ragout braised in red wine and balsamic vinegar with sun-dried tomatoes, butternut squash, and fresh herbs. A warming fall and winter stew that freezes beautifully.

Vegan navy bean soup with balsamic-caramelized onions, miso paste, tomato sauce, and warming spices. Oil-free, long-simmered for deep flavor, serves 8. Worth every minute of the 4-hour cook.

Slow cooker beef chili with pinto beans, six cloves of pureed garlic, green chiles, jalapenos, balsamic vinegar, and 6 tablespoons of chili powder. Cooks low and slow for deep flavor.

Slow-cooker beef chili with pinto beans, green chiles, jalapeños, and a splash of balsamic for brightness. An Arizona-style chili that simmers 8 hours and tastes better the next day.

Spaghetti with sauteed curly endive, garlic, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. A quick 30-minute Italian pasta with bitter greens and tangy-sweet dressing.