Italian

Packed with vegetables and white beans, this is the kind of wholesome one-pot meal you need to ward off winter blues.

With a bag of frozen kale in your freezer, this elegant dish comes together in less than 30 minutes.

This version of pasta e ceci (pasta with chickpeas) thickens the sauce with puréed chickpeas, and it's finished with a fresh garlic-and-rosemary oil, which adds great flavor and an even better aroma.

Quickly cooking shredded butternut squash with butter and sage turns it into an almost-instant sauce for a very autumnal pasta dinner.

Go ahead and double this tomato sauce. It freezes well—ready for other pastas or for simmer-poaching eggs

This twist on pasta carbonara is sweet from leeks and rich thanks to cream (in place of eggs).

For a simple but elegant winter holiday meal, look no further than this Italian classic.

This deeply savory tomato-based pasta sauce is flavored with garlic, red pepper flakes, and a mix of ground pork and hot (or sweet) Italian sausage. Use any short, tubular pasta you like.

These dumplings are delicious with pomodoro sauce, or try them with brown butter and sage.

Psilakis uses fresh sheep's milk ricotta, but fresh cow's milk ricotta works, too.

Do you love apple pie, but feel stuck in a classic-pie rut at Thanksgiving? Bake outside the box this year with the Italian version, known as crostata. Unlike typical American pie pastry, crostata pastry is similar to cookie dough, so instead of being flaky, it bakes up like a crisp, chewy sugar cookie. Drizzle slices with warm spiced caramel sauce, and you just might count yourself among the crostata converts. Editor's Note: This recipe is part of our Gourmet Modern Menu for Thanksgiving for 2 or 20. Menu also includes: Citrus-Sage Roast Turkey with Gravy (whole turkey or breast ); Roasted Butternut Squash Ribbons with Arugula, Pancetta, and Hazelnut Salad; Mashed Potato and Cauliflower Gratin; Cabernet-Cranberry Sauce with Figs; and Challah, Sausage, and Dried Cherry Stuffing .

Looking for a pasta recipe with impressive flavor and which has practically no prep involved? You've come to the right place.

A malfatto (Italian for "badly made") is a tender dumpling with rustic character. It's a bit of work to trim and cook the chard; you can simplify the recipe by substituting frozen spinach, if desired.

Meatballs are usually the spicy sidekick to spaghetti, but with a crusty roll, zesty tomato sauce, and some fresh mozzarella, they are transformed into hero material. Proving their versatility, these beefy bites from home cook Gayle Gardener of New Mexico also work as hors d’oeuvres. Just add a dipping sauce, and they’ll be the hit of the party. If you’re counting calories, substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef and bake them.

Equal parts comfort and sophistication, this torta toes the line between hearty main and delicate appetizer. Flaky crespelle pastry with a rich besciamella sauce and sweet Italian sausage produce a dish worthy of every minute of effort.

Mountains of porcini and white mushrooms lend deep woodsy notes to this hearty vegetarian entrée, while a béchamel sauce offers all the richness of a meat-filled version. Use a food processor to finely chop the fresh mushrooms; they’ll cook more quickly. Members return to this recipe time and time again because its flavor far outweighs the fuss of assembling it. If you’re short on time, make just the filling or the whole dish a day ahead of time.

This hearty meal-in-a-bowl was recreated by Epicurious member Alisa Guralnick, from Encinitas, California, after trying a version of the divine soup at a restaurant in New York City. This recipe features sausage, white beans, spinach, pasta, and other veggies, making this a customizable recipe perfect for extra produce from community gardens, co-ops, or your own garden.

This dish is as good as the time and ingredients you put into it, so use quality ingredients and patience to get the flavors to harmonize. A teaspoon of white truffle oil can substitute for the black truffles.

Meat lovers may smile politely and insist otherwise, but it’s the rare vegetarian lasagne that truly pleases the committed carnivore. In the case of this exceptional recipe, the meaty texture of the eggplant makes a luscious stand-in for Bolognese sauce. Choose your eggplant wisely: a younger, smaller one will yield the tastiest results. Try white or Asian eggplant for a more mellow flavor.

Here’s a perfect pasta dish, a one-pan dream that pairs tomatoes with savory Italian sausage. Even picky eaters will love this simple dish, featuring a sweet, creamy sauce that can be spiced to taste with red pepper flakes. The whole thing comes together in under 15 minutes, making it an easy weeknight meal that’s impressive enough for date night, too. This dish makes delicious leftovers, and cleanup is a breeze.