Pasta dish

Simple yet special, the ideal dish to serve up to friends when you're celebrating in a relaxed style.

While most of the smoked salmon we buy has been cold-smoked (cured at a low temperature for a fairly long time), hot-smoked salmon (cured at high temperatures for just a few hours) is generally more moist and not as salty; it doesn’t, however, have the same keeping properties as cold-smoked. Note

This recipe is best made close to serving. White balsamic vinegar is slightly sweet, and is available in the vinegar section in selected supermarkets and grocery stores. Note

In just over half an hour this fresh and simple pea and pancetta pasta can be on the dinner table. We can guarantee there'll be no complaints, especially if it's served alongside some hot and crusty garlic bread.

A quick and simple pasta that brings a surprising depth of flavour, chilli, garlic and oil are a sauce in their own right.

Tapenade, a paste of pureed olives, is available from supermarkets and delicatessens. Note

dairy-free egg-free nut-free Note

Nothing compares to the taste of fresh pesto, it turns a simple dish of pasta into a gourmet meal.

you can substitute goat cheese or any soft, crumbly cheese for the fetta in this recipe. Note

One of those perfect stand-by recipes for a week-night family dinner, you can use a can of flavoured tuna, such as chilli or lemon pepper, to add interest if you like.

A barbecued chicken weighing about 800g (1½ pounds) should give you 2 cups of shredded chicken meat. Note

Risoni is a small rice-shaped pasta that can be served similarly to orzo or rice in salads and soups. This recipe is best made just before serving. Note

The delicious, spicy pan juices from the prawns add a huge dash of flavour to this simple spicy prawn linguine. Perfect for dinner on a warm evening when you just need something light and tasty.

Tender lamb, al dente pasta and peppery rocket leaves make a fabulous pasta salad that is a meal in itself.

If you can find fresh orecchiette, use them instead of the packaged dried version. Note

The nutty flavour of burnt butter pairs beautifully with the tang of roasted marinated artichokes in this gorgeously simple pasta dish.

Meaning 'ear' to reflect it's shape, which resembles a little ear, orecchiette is a speciality of the Apulia region in Southern Italy.

Pasta salad is best made on the morning it will be consumed. Note

A simple, savoury classic with pots of flavour, pasta al quattro formaggio can be made using penne, or other short cut pasta, in place of the gnocchi.

Tortiglioni, a straight tubular pasta with grooves on the exterior, works well when baked with a chunky sauce, such as this one. You can substitute it with rigatoni or ziti, if you like, but anything less substantial will get lost amid the hearty sausage and vegetables.

Super speedy and full of strong, clean flavours, this delicious pasta is a great starter or main, for entertaining or a family dinner.

Semi-dried tomatoes are packed with that delicious, punchy flavour. Some greens, pasta and a drizzle of oil is all you need to make them sing. Use frozen peas, if fresh ones aren't available.

Fast and fresh is what most of us are looking for in a mid-week dinner, this prawn spaghettini recipe is fast, fresh, tasty and healthy. Winner.

serving per person for each of the five food groups 1½ serves vegetables;1 serve grain foods; 1 serve lean meat and bean foods. Note

Trying meatless Monday? This recipe is a great option for any vegetarian occasion and is a real crowd pleaser.

This creamy chicken and broccolini tagliatelle recipe is perfect for a quick and delicious mid-week dinner.

Alternatively, the frittata can be made in a 24cm/9½-inch non-stick ovenproof frying pan, cooked, covered, over a medium-low heat for 12 minutes, then transferred to a hot grill (broiler) for 3 minutes or until browned lightly. You will need an ovenproof frying pan if it goes under the grill (or cover the handle with a […]

Add this chilli tuna and lemon linguine to your list of recipes for a quick, healthy mid-week dinner to help you stick to your resolutions.

On a cold winter evening, especially in the middle of the week, there's nothing like a warm, creamy pasta bake to fill your family up.

Add baby capers and chopped basil the pasta sauce, if liked. Any type of spaghetti can be substituted, if liked. Serve pasta with lemon wedges and basil leaves, if liked. Note

Similar to ravioli, agnolotti are tiny pillows of pasta stuffed with one of any manner of different fillings. You can buy these already made, sold in cryovac packages, in the refrigerated section of your supermarket or fresh from specialty pasta makers. Note

Pesto, from the verb 'pestare' in Italian, means pounded. Pesto pre-dates tomato sauces. It originates in Roman times.

Pick up a cooked chicken on your way home from work and you can have this delicious and hearty meal on the table soon after you walk in the front door.

Also known as ‘bow-tie’ pasta, farfalle is good for this dish. The crinkles of each piece enfold the ricotta and peas for maximum deliciousness. However, you can replace the farfalle with penne or small shells if you want. Note

Simple, tasty and hardly any washing up!

In this flavour-packed dish, the richness of the salmon and creamy sauce, is complemented by a zesty squeeze of lime and fresh herbs.

Eggplant, tomato & leek lasagne

Ravioli are little pillows of pasta stuffed with a variety of delicious fillings including meat, fish, cheese and vegetables, and they don't have to be an Italian delicacy. This ravioli with greens recipe takes the basic form and fills it with the spices and flavours of Asia.

Full of flavour and super quick to put together, this curried macaroni tuna & bean salad makes a great packed lunch as well.

This alluring, creamy, sensational pasta dish fulfils your desire to be amazed with a comforting yet exciting meal experience.

Fetta cheese can be used in place of the ricotta cheese. If you have some, stir ¹/³ cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves into this recipe. If you don’t have angel hair pasta, you can use thin or regular spaghetti, instead. Note

Pesto can be made up to a week ahead and kept, covered, in the refrigerator. Pesto can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Note

Also known as risi, risoni is a very small, rice-shaped pasta similar to orzo that is often used by Italian cooks when making soup. It can also be baked in a casserole or served as a side dish to a rich meaty main course.

Try this cheat's version of a homely beef casserole, served on fresh fettuccine pasta.

Big pasta shells are perfect for soaking up the delicious, mustardy balsamic vinaigrette on this Greek lamb, feta and eggplant pasta.

There's nothing like a bowl of proper, hearty soup on a cold day and this tomato and chorizo soup has all the warming power you're looking for.

You can use feta or any soft, crumbly cheese instead of the goat cheese, and toasted pecan halves make a nice change from walnuts. This roasted capsicum pasta salad makes a great lunch-box meal too.

Use your preference of bottled pasta cheese sauce in this recipe. Note

Try canned salmon with a little lemon juice in place of mushrooms. For a healthier version, replace cream with low-fat evaporated milk. To thicken, blend 1 teaspoon cornflour with 1 tablespoon evaporated milk and stir slowly into remaining milk. Note

Place pretzels in a zip-lock plastic bag; crush roughly with a rolling pin. Combine pretzels with butter and cheeses in a medium bowl. You can make the candied bacon a day ahead; store, covered, in the refrigerator. Note

Risoni is a small pasta shaped like a grain of rice. You can substitute any small pasta in this recipe. Note

Vongole (clams) will need to soak in salted water for 30 minutes before starting this recipe. Fast-cooking clams are packed with a good dose of iron, B vitamins and the mineral chronium, which the body needs to regulate blood glucose levels. Note

We’ve used penne pasta in this recipe, but feel free to use spaghetti, if you prefer. Stir in ⅓ cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves just before serving, if you like. Note

Pepato is an Italian sheep’s milk cheese, most often pecorino, studded with peppercorns. It is available from some delicatessens and specialty cheese shops. If you can’t find it, use pecorino or parmesan cheese with a good grinding of black pepper. Note

Make the sauce a day ahead; store, covered, in the refrigerator. Beans are an Italian staple and are often served with spaghetti in the same dish. Note

This recipe is a delicious change to cooked pasta sauces ­because this sauce is uncooked, buy the freshest ingredients you can for a big flavour hit. Note

Recipe is best prepared as required. Note

You can use a mixture of grilled eggplant, capsicum and sun-dried tomatoes for the antipasto vegetables. Grilled artichokes and mushrooms could also be used. Note

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note

Rich tomato sauce, smoky meat, herbs and cheese ­ the very best of fresh ingredients ­ that’s the Italian way. Put the pot on and let it bubble its way to a delicious infusion of flavours. Note

These large, luxurious ravioli with their light tomato sauce make a lovely opener to a dinner party or, served with a fresh green salad, a stylish little lunch. Note

Warm risoni pasta creates a perfect base to let the vegetables shine in this dish fresh and easy dish that only takes 30 minutes to make.

Recipe best made just before serving. Coppa is salted and dried pork. Note

You could substitute the bacon and chorizo with ham and mild salami if you prefer. Note

Velouté, a white sauce made from roux (a cooked butter and flour mixture) and stock, is one of the five “mother” sauces in French cooking from which all other sauces are derived. Note

Danish salami is a smoked, delicately spiced salami; you can use another variety if you wish. Note

For extra fibre, use wholemeal pasta. For those who are gluten-intolerant, try gluten-free pasta. Note