Pasta, pasta, pasta!
Whether it’s cheesy baked ziti, comforting pasta Carbonara, or warming tortellini soup, everyone has a favorite pasta recipe. Delicious for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, versatile pasta has a rightful place on the plate for every occasion. Common pasta types include noodles such as linguine, spaghetti and lasagna; tubes like ziti and penne; and filled pastas such as tortellini and ravioli are among the most common. With a plethora of possibilities, choosing the best pasta recipe can be a tough task. Our ultimate guide to this much-loved starchy staple does the work for you—we’ve compiled our best pasta recipes for pasta Bolognese, linguine with clam sauce, mushroom risotto, and more into one handy source.
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Skillet-Baked Ziti with Andouille, Tomatoes, and Peppers
Skillet-Baked Ziti with Andouille, Tomatoes, and Peppers
Recipe
Think of baked ziti as a speedier, simpler version of lasagna. This Southern-inspired riff on classic baked ziti features smoky and spicy Andouille sausage, a colorful array of bell peppers, tomato sauce, and plenty of gooey cheese.
Think of baked ziti as a speedier, simpler version of lasagna. This Southern-inspired riff on classic baked ziti features smoky and spicy Andouille sausage, a colorful array of bell peppers, tomato sauce, and plenty of gooey cheese.
Baked Smokin' Macaroni and Cheese
Baked Smokin' Macaroni and Cheese
Recipe
Creamy macaroni and cheese is nostalgic, stick-to-your bones comfort food. In the traditional recipe, elbow macaroni holds a luscious, cheesy sauce inspired by classic French Mornay sauce. Here, corkscrew-shaped cellentani pasta combines with three cheeses and smoky ham for a crispy, cornflake-topped macaroni and cheese dish.
Creamy macaroni and cheese is nostalgic, stick-to-your bones comfort food. In the traditional recipe, elbow macaroni holds a luscious, cheesy sauce inspired by classic French Mornay sauce. Here, corkscrew-shaped cellentani pasta combines with three cheeses and smoky ham for a crispy, cornflake-topped macaroni and cheese dish.
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Farmers' Market Pasta Salad
Farmers' Market Pasta Salad
Recipe
Pasta salad, a summer picnic staple or easy year-round dinner, is the perfect vehicle to showcase vibrant seasonal ingredients. This fresh and colorful pasta salad piles crisp summer veggies and tasty Parmesan vinaigrette over al-dente whole-wheat penne pasta.
Pasta salad, a summer picnic staple or easy year-round dinner, is the perfect vehicle to showcase vibrant seasonal ingredients. This fresh and colorful pasta salad piles crisp summer veggies and tasty Parmesan vinaigrette over al-dente whole-wheat penne pasta.
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Pasta Primavera with Peas, Prosciutto, and Asparagus
Pasta Primavera with Peas, Prosciutto, and Asparagus
Recipe
Pasta Primavera, which means “spring pasta” in Italian, is a clean, crisp pasta dish full of seasonal produce. Any combination of bright green vegetables such as peas, asparagus, zucchini, spring onions, and ramps is fair game for pasta primavera, and the sauce is typically light and cheesy.
Pasta Primavera, which means “spring pasta” in Italian, is a clean, crisp pasta dish full of seasonal produce. Any combination of bright green vegetables such as peas, asparagus, zucchini, spring onions, and ramps is fair game for pasta primavera, and the sauce is typically light and cheesy.
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Pasta with Shrimp in Tomato Cream
Pasta with Shrimp in Tomato Cream
Recipe
Creamy, spicy, or tangy, versatile shrimp pasta pleases palates through a variety of preparations. Here, sweet shrimp and corkscrew-shaped fusilli pasta get a boost from a vermouth-spiked tomato cream sauce. Shrimp cook faster than you might expect—they should be plump, firm, and juicy.
Creamy, spicy, or tangy, versatile shrimp pasta pleases palates through a variety of preparations. Here, sweet shrimp and corkscrew-shaped fusilli pasta get a boost from a vermouth-spiked tomato cream sauce. Shrimp cook faster than you might expect—they should be plump, firm, and juicy.
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Hearty Tortellini Soup
Hearty Tortellini Soup
Recipe
Veggie-packed tortellini soup is warming and soothing during chillier months. When making this tortellini soup, cook the pasta separately and add it back just before serving to ensure it doesn’t overcook.
Veggie-packed tortellini soup is warming and soothing during chillier months. When making this tortellini soup, cook the pasta separately and add it back just before serving to ensure it doesn’t overcook.
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Fresh Vegetable Lasagna
Fresh Vegetable Lasagna Recipe
Vegetable lasagna makes for a nutritious riff on the traditionally meaty recipe. The best vegetable lasagna uses hearty-flavored veggies such as eggplant, squash, and mushrooms while packing in leafy greens for a boost of nutrition.
Vegetable lasagna makes for a nutritious riff on the traditionally meaty recipe. The best vegetable lasagna uses hearty-flavored veggies such as eggplant, squash, and mushrooms while packing in leafy greens for a boost of nutrition.
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Spaghetti and Meatballs in Tomato-Basil Sauce
Spaghetti and Meatballs in Tomato-Basil Sauce
Recipe
Who doesn’t love spaghetti and meatballs? This Italian-American dish of spaghetti and meatballs is a tried-and-true family favorite. Our fresh take browns the meatballs at a high temperature, then gently simmers them in tomato sauce to build crave worthy flavors.
Who doesn’t love spaghetti and meatballs? This Italian-American dish of spaghetti and meatballs is a tried-and-true family favorite. Our fresh take browns the meatballs at a high temperature, then gently simmers them in tomato sauce to build crave worthy flavors.
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Sausage and Spinach Spaghetti Pie
Sausage and Spinach Spaghetti Pie
Recipe
Spaghetti pie is characterized by its baking vessel—the pie pan. Oodles of spaghetti noodles combine with marinara sauce, cheese, and other ingredients such as sausage, vegetables, garlic, and fresh herbs in this feel-good dish.
Spaghetti pie is characterized by its baking vessel—the pie pan. Oodles of spaghetti noodles combine with marinara sauce, cheese, and other ingredients such as sausage, vegetables, garlic, and fresh herbs in this feel-good dish.
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Penne with Spicy Vodka Cream Sauce
Penne with Spicy Vodka Cream Sauce
Recipe
Penne alla Vodka features an irresistible combination of tube-shaped penne pasta and rich tomato-cream sauce that’s kicked up a notch with vodka. The actual alcohol content of vodka cooks out, leaving behind bright flavors that elevate the sauce.
Penne alla Vodka features an irresistible combination of tube-shaped penne pasta and rich tomato-cream sauce that’s kicked up a notch with vodka. The actual alcohol content of vodka cooks out, leaving behind bright flavors that elevate the sauce.
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Deli-Style Tortellini Pasta Salad
Deli-Style Tortellini Pasta Salad
Recipe
Tortellini salad commonly appears at cookouts and potlucks, but it’s also a trusted weeknight dish. This tasty tortellini salad recipe is packed with colorful, crisp veggies and a tangy vinaigrette of lemon juice and olive oil. Make the salad in advance to let the flavors develop and intensify.
Tortellini salad commonly appears at cookouts and potlucks, but it’s also a trusted weeknight dish. This tasty tortellini salad recipe is packed with colorful, crisp veggies and a tangy vinaigrette of lemon juice and olive oil. Make the salad in advance to let the flavors develop and intensify.
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Pesto Lasagna with Spinach and Mushrooms
Pesto Lasagna with Spinach and Mushrooms Recipe
Crockpot lasagna uses slow cooker magic to yield an easy weeknight dinner. This vegetarian crockpot lasagna uses no-boil noodles and kicks up the traditional recipe with pesto, spinach, and meaty mushrooms.
Crockpot lasagna uses slow cooker magic to yield an easy weeknight dinner. This vegetarian crockpot lasagna uses no-boil noodles and kicks up the traditional recipe with pesto, spinach, and meaty mushrooms.
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Baked Four-Cheese Spaghetti with Italian Sausage
Baked Four-Cheese Spaghetti with Italian Sausage
Recipe
Like baked ziti, baked spaghetti captures lasagna’s comforting essence with half of the fuss. Whether your vessel of choice is a casserole dish or a slow cooker, classic baked spaghetti calls for noodles, ground meat, tomato sauce, and cheese, but it can easily be dressed up with fresh herbs and aromatics.
Like baked ziti, baked spaghetti captures lasagna’s comforting essence with half of the fuss. Whether your vessel of choice is a casserole dish or a slow cooker, classic baked spaghetti calls for noodles, ground meat, tomato sauce, and cheese, but it can easily be dressed up with fresh herbs and aromatics.
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Tomato-Basil Lasagna Rolls
Tomato-Basil Lasagna Rolls
Recipe
Lasagna roll ups are a coveted timesaver when you’re craving lasagna but you don’t have the time to make it. Here, lasagna noodles are rolled with a dose of creamy cheeses, artichoke hearts, and basil, then baked with tomato sauce to crispy, bubbly perfection.
Lasagna roll ups are a coveted timesaver when you’re craving lasagna but you don’t have the time to make it. Here, lasagna noodles are rolled with a dose of creamy cheeses, artichoke hearts, and basil, then baked with tomato sauce to crispy, bubbly perfection.
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Cajun Shrimp Linguine
Cajun Shrimp Linguine
Recipe
Like spaghetti pie, spaghetti casserole is classic soul-warming fare. There is no hard rule for how it’s made, but typical ingredients include a savory swirl of noodles, tomato sauce, gooey cheese, and chicken or ground meat. Classic recipes may also use canned cream of mushroom or chicken soup to give the sauce a richer body.
Like spaghetti pie, spaghetti casserole is classic soul-warming fare. There is no hard rule for how it’s made, but typical ingredients include a savory swirl of noodles, tomato sauce, gooey cheese, and chicken or ground meat. Classic recipes may also use canned cream of mushroom or chicken soup to give the sauce a richer body.
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Chicken, Tortellini, and Spinach Soup with Pesto
Chicken, Tortellini, and Spinach Soup with Pesto
Recipe
Chicken tortellini soup is essentially a jazzed up version of chicken noodle soup. This warming weeknight chicken tortellini soup recipe comes together quickly with shredded store bought chicken rotisserie meat and store bought fresh pesto.
Chicken tortellini soup is essentially a jazzed up version of chicken noodle soup. This warming weeknight chicken tortellini soup recipe comes together quickly with shredded store bought chicken rotisserie meat and store bought fresh pesto.
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Three-Cheese Lasagna
Three-Cheese Lasagna Recipe
Linguine with clam sauce is a classic Italian pasta characterized by its pungent flavor and garlicky aroma. This aromatic linguine with clam sauce recipe steams fresh clams with white wine, then intensifies the cooking liquid with bottled clam juice, fresh parsley, and fiery chiles.
Linguine with clam sauce is a classic Italian pasta characterized by its pungent flavor and garlicky aroma. This aromatic linguine with clam sauce recipe steams fresh clams with white wine, then intensifies the cooking liquid with bottled clam juice, fresh parsley, and fiery chiles.
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Linguine with Red Clam Sauce
Linguine with Red Clam Sauce Recipe
While traditional Italian linguine with clams uses a white wine and garlic sauce, Italian-American restaurants often offer this dish with red clam sauce. Both are delicious, with the main distinction simply being the presence of tomatoes.
While traditional Italian linguine with clams uses a white wine and garlic sauce, Italian-American restaurants often offer this dish with red clam sauce. Both are delicious, with the main distinction simply being the presence of tomatoes.
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Pasta Pork Bolognese
Pasta Pork Bolognese
Recipe
Pasta Bolognese, which hails from Italy’s Bologna region, is a richly flavored meat sauce made from a soffritto—carrots, onion, and celery— that simmers with tomatoes, aromatics, and ground beef, veal, or pork. Tagliatelle noodles act as perfect carriers for this fragrant, meaty sauce.
Pasta Bolognese, which hails from Italy’s Bologna region, is a richly flavored meat sauce made from a soffritto—carrots, onion, and celery— that simmers with tomatoes, aromatics, and ground beef, veal, or pork. Tagliatelle noodles act as perfect carriers for this fragrant, meaty sauce.
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Spaghetti with Pork Bolognese
Spaghetti with Pork Bolognese
Recipe
Spaghetti Bolognese is simply the Italian-American rendition of traditional pasta Bolognese, with the main distinction being the type of noodles used. For this spaghetti Bolognese recipe, we used three types of pork—tenderloin, ground, and pancetta—to pack in rich, meaty flavor.
Spaghetti Bolognese is simply the Italian-American rendition of traditional pasta Bolognese, with the main distinction being the type of noodles used. For this spaghetti Bolognese recipe, we used three types of pork—tenderloin, ground, and pancetta—to pack in rich, meaty flavor.
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Cheese Ravioli with Toasted Walnuts
Cheese Ravioli with Toasted Walnuts Recipe
Store bought cheese ravioli gets a boost from a simple sauce of lemon juice, Parmesan, fresh parsley, and the pasta cooking liquid. A topping of toasted walnuts adds crunch to this easy weeknight cheese ravioli dish.
Store bought cheese ravioli gets a boost from a simple sauce of lemon juice, Parmesan, fresh parsley, and the pasta cooking liquid. A topping of toasted walnuts adds crunch to this easy weeknight cheese ravioli dish.
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Easy Ravioli Bake
Easy Ravioli Bake Recipe
For busy weeknights when time is short, lasagna ravioli is a perfect shortcut dinner that kids will love. Layers of ravioli, which can be fresh store bought or frozen, replace lasagna noodles in this flavor-packed and clever spin on the traditional recipe.
For busy weeknights when time is short, lasagna ravioli is a perfect shortcut dinner that kids will love. Layers of ravioli, which can be fresh store bought or frozen, replace lasagna noodles in this flavor-packed and clever spin on the traditional recipe.
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Orzo Salad with Spicy Buttermilk Dressing
Orzo Salad with Spicy Buttermilk Dressing
Recipe
A go-to side for grill-outs, orzo pasta salad is the perfect canvas for any array of seasonal veggies, fresh herbs, creamy dressings, or citrusy vinaigrettes. This south-of-the-border-inspired orzo pasta salad gets a boost from fresh avocado and hot-and-tangy buttermilk dressing.
A go-to side for grill-outs, orzo pasta salad is the perfect canvas for any array of seasonal veggies, fresh herbs, creamy dressings, or citrusy vinaigrettes. This south-of-the-border-inspired orzo pasta salad gets a boost from fresh avocado and hot-and-tangy buttermilk dressing.
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Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
Homemade Parmesan breadcrumbs add a special touch to this creamy macaroni and cheese casserole. You’ll want to add this comforting dish, which can easily be baked and frozen ahead of time, to your Thanksgiving or holiday menu.
Homemade Parmesan breadcrumbs add a special touch to this creamy macaroni and cheese casserole. You’ll want to add this comforting dish, which can easily be baked and frozen ahead of time, to your Thanksgiving or holiday menu.
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Spaghetti with Shrimp and Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
Spaghetti with Shrimp and Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
Recipe
Elevate simple shrimp spaghetti by tossing together a roasted cherry tomato sauce, which adds an intense pop of flavor. A drizzle of balsamic vinegar or dollop of fresh pesto make perfect toppers.
Elevate simple shrimp spaghetti by tossing together a roasted cherry tomato sauce, which adds an intense pop of flavor. A drizzle of balsamic vinegar or dollop of fresh pesto make perfect toppers.
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Shrimp Scampi Linguine
Shrimp Scampi Linguine Recipe
Shrimp scampi linguine is an old-school dish that always feels fresh and vibrant, no matter how it’s made. This recipe sticks to the classic recipe of sautéed shrimp, fresh garlic, and a white wine-butter sauce over silky linguine noodles, but kicks up the heat with crushed red pepper.
Shrimp scampi linguine is an old-school dish that always feels fresh and vibrant, no matter how it’s made. This recipe sticks to the classic recipe of sautéed shrimp, fresh garlic, and a white wine-butter sauce over silky linguine noodles, but kicks up the heat with crushed red pepper.
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Classic Light Bolognese Lasagna
Classic Light Bolognese Lasagna Recipe
Lasagna Bolognese mixes traditional Bolognese sauce with luscious layers of cheese and lasagna noodles. This hearty recipe gets a healthy makeover with ground turkey breast, low-fat milk, and lower-fat cheeses while still feeling indulgent.
Lasagna Bolognese mixes traditional Bolognese sauce with luscious layers of cheese and lasagna noodles. This hearty recipe gets a healthy makeover with ground turkey breast, low-fat milk, and lower-fat cheeses while still feeling indulgent.
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Penne and Chicken with Tomato Sauce
Penne and Chicken with Tomato Sauce
Recipe
A spiced rub of ground fennel, coriander, and dried basil elevate quick-cooking chicken tenderloins in this weeknight chicken penne pasta recipe. A leafy green salad or toasty loaf of garlic bread make easy sides.
A spiced rub of ground fennel, coriander, and dried basil elevate quick-cooking chicken tenderloins in this weeknight chicken penne pasta recipe. A leafy green salad or toasty loaf of garlic bread make easy sides.
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Mushroom Tortellini with Arugula and Crispy Prosciutto
Mushroom Tortellini with Arugula and Crispy Prosciutto Recipe
Whether mushroom ravioli or mushroom tortellini, these umami-packed fungi stand alone as a flavor-packed pasta filling. Here, leafy green arugula lends subtle bitterness while pan-crisped prosciutto is an elegant (and totally delicious) garnish.
Whether mushroom ravioli or mushroom tortellini, these umami-packed fungi stand alone as a flavor-packed pasta filling. Here, leafy green arugula lends subtle bitterness while pan-crisped prosciutto is an elegant (and totally delicious) garnish.
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Classic Lasagna with Meat Sauce
Classic Lasagna with Meat Sauce
Recipe
If you’re searching for a traditional lasagna recipe that’s guaranteed to steal the show at any gathering, look no further. Lower-fat ricotta and mozzarella keep fat and calories low while jarred marinara makes for a welcomed shortcut in this goldmine recipe.
If you’re searching for a traditional lasagna recipe that’s guaranteed to steal the show at any gathering, look no further. Lower-fat ricotta and mozzarella keep fat and calories low while jarred marinara makes for a welcomed shortcut in this goldmine recipe.
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Mushroom and Spinach Lasagna
Mushroom and Spinach Lasagna
Recipe
Mushroom lasagna proves that meat isn’t always necessary to create this classic dish’s signature heartiness. Here, sliced portobello mushroom caps are layered with lasagna noodles with cheese, fresh basil, and spinach for a boost of nutrition.
Mushroom lasagna proves that meat isn’t always necessary to create this classic dish’s signature heartiness. Here, sliced portobello mushroom caps are layered with lasagna noodles with cheese, fresh basil, and spinach for a boost of nutrition.
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Sheet Pan Seafood Bake with Buttery Wine Sauce
Sheet Pan Seafood Bake with Buttery Wine Sauce
Recipe
Spin this sheet pan seafood bake into the perfect seafood linguine dish by omitting the potatoes. White wine and a buttery hot sauce gives clams, mussels, and andouille sausage mouthwatering flavor that works beautifully over a bed of linguine pasta.
Spin this sheet pan seafood bake into the perfect seafood linguine dish by omitting the potatoes. White wine and a buttery hot sauce gives clams, mussels, and andouille sausage mouthwatering flavor that works beautifully over a bed of linguine pasta.
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Linguine Carbonara
Linguine Carbonara
Recipe
The trick to flawless linguine carbonara is nailing the smooth, velvety egg-based sauce. After you add the whisked egg to the pasta, monitor the stovetop’s heat closely and ensure that your pan never gets too hot—these are your keys to linguine carbonara success.
The trick to flawless linguine carbonara is nailing the smooth, velvety egg-based sauce. After you add the whisked egg to the pasta, monitor the stovetop’s heat closely and ensure that your pan never gets too hot—these are your keys to linguine carbonara success.
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Butternut Squash Ravioli with Spinach Pesto
Butternut Squash Ravioli with Spinach Pesto Recipe
Sweet, nutty-flavored butternut squash makes a perfect filling for squash ravioli. Homemade ravioli can be labor-intensive, but wonton wrappers provide an easy shortcut—just make sure not to overstuff them. An earthy walnut pesto sauce adds depth to this fall-inspired squash ravioli dish.
Sweet, nutty-flavored butternut squash makes a perfect filling for squash ravioli. Homemade ravioli can be labor-intensive, but wonton wrappers provide an easy shortcut—just make sure not to overstuff them. An earthy walnut pesto sauce adds depth to this fall-inspired squash ravioli dish.
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Simple Lobster Risotto
Simple Lobster Risotto Recipe
Creamy and comforting risotto commonly appears on menus alongside pasta dishes, but it’s technically a rice dish indigenous to northern Italy. The best risottos use Arborio rice or carnaroli rice that’s gently simmered and stirred in broth until al dente, or tender and slightly crunchy. Risotto takes time to cook, but the extra effort can make any meal special.
Creamy and comforting risotto commonly appears on menus alongside pasta dishes, but it’s technically a rice dish indigenous to northern Italy. The best risottos use Arborio rice or carnaroli rice that’s gently simmered and stirred in broth until al dente, or tender and slightly crunchy. Risotto takes time to cook, but the extra effort can make any meal special.
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Prosecco and Parmesan Risotto
Prosecco and Parmesan Risotto
Recipe
Give traditional risotto a burst of umami by making mushroom risotto. Full of complex, tantalizing flavors, mushroom risotto made with a blend of wild mushrooms from chanterelles to morels to oysters packs the most umami and lends a chewy texture.
Give traditional risotto a burst of umami by making mushroom risotto. Full of complex, tantalizing flavors, mushroom risotto made with a blend of wild mushrooms from chanterelles to morels to oysters packs the most umami and lends a chewy texture.
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Chicken Risotto with Spring Vegetables
Chicken Risotto with Spring Vegetables Recipe
Saffron threads impart a subtle, floral aroma to this elegant seafood risotto, which uses bottled clam juice instead of traditional chicken stock during cooking. Our seafood risotto calls for shrimp and crab meat, but feel free to use what’s freshest at the grocery store or seafood market.
Saffron threads impart a subtle, floral aroma to this elegant seafood risotto, which uses bottled clam juice instead of traditional chicken stock during cooking. Our seafood risotto calls for shrimp and crab meat, but feel free to use what’s freshest at the grocery store or seafood market.
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Summer Lemon-Vegetable Risotto
Summer Lemon-Vegetable Risotto Recipe
Vegetable broth makes this colorful vegetable risotto meatless—to make it vegan, swap the Parmesan cheese for a sprinkling of nutritional yeast over top. Whether you’re using leftover or seasonal vegetables to make vegetable risotto, make sure to cook each one separately before adding them back at the end.
Vegetable broth makes this colorful vegetable risotto meatless—to make it vegan, swap the Parmesan cheese for a sprinkling of nutritional yeast over top. Whether you’re using leftover or seasonal vegetables to make vegetable risotto, make sure to cook each one separately before adding them back at the end.
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Seafood Fettuccine
Seafood Fettuccine Recipe
Fit for a special occasion, this seafood pasta showcases the ocean’s very best, from buttery scallops to sweet crabmeat, over al-dente fettuccine noodles. The light and creamy sauce doesn’t overpower, making it an ideal match for this seafood pasta
Fit for a special occasion, this seafood pasta showcases the ocean’s very best, from buttery scallops to sweet crabmeat, over al-dente fettuccine noodles. The light and creamy sauce doesn’t overpower, making it an ideal match for this seafood pasta
