Ricotta

It’s little wonder that lasagna became the informal party dish of the fifties and sixties-it can be assembled ahead of time, it freezes well, and it is a delicious and inexpensive way to feed a crowd. In this contemporary-and meatless-version, "no-boil" noodles eliminate a step, and bottled pasta sauce stands in for homemade.

Fresh Ricotta, Anchovy, and Oregano Toasts Crostini refers to a whole family of antipasti based on thin slices of bread, toasted, sometimes brushed with olive oil, and covered with any number of savory toppings. If you can, buy fresh anchovies and marinate them yourself or buy them already marinated from an Italian or Hispanic deli (where they are known as alici marinati or boquerones respectively; see note below).

At Valentino, this is prepared with fresh pasta. Wonton wrappers make a convenient substitute.

Here, eggplant stands in for the pasta.

At her restaurant, Lynch includes black truffle in the vinaigrette for this salad, but it's so flavorful as it is that we didn't feel the truffle was necessary.

Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 30 min

Cream cheese was added to the ricotta for this smooth, luscious dessert. But if you can find fresh ricotta, which is less grainy than some of the commercial types, use it and omit the cream cheese.

We love this dish on its own, but a sprinkling of Parmigiano Reggiano and fresh basil can be a nice addition. If you can get fresh ricotta, by all means use it here.

Elisa Mazzaferro-Rosenberg of Fort Collins, Colorado, writes: "I love to entertain, but between coming home late — I just completed my Ph.D. in small animal clinical sciences — and feeding my husband, Adam, I haven't had the time to have friends over much. I do manage to cook for holidays, though, and one of my favorite things is ricotta pie. This version, from my grandma Elsie, is a traditional Easter sweet on both sides of my Italian family."

These little quesadillas are made with masa rather than packaged tortillas.

"The Monaco Hotel in Denver has a restaurant, Panzano, that's so good I went back several times during my stay," says Cindy Maciag of Troy, Michigan. "The ricotta pancakes at breakfast were fantastic."

Homemade ravioli are made simple here with readily available gyoza wrappers (look for them in the refrigerated Asian section of your supermarket).

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.