Penne

This thick and comforting dish is delicious sprinkled with grated Parmesan cheese. Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

(Greek Lamb and Pasta Casserole)

Though penne is Faith Heller Willinger's pasta of choice for this dish, we tried other types—such as mafalde (broad, rippled noodles similar to lasagna noodles but not quite as wide)—and found they work well, too.

For a savory addition, toss a little sautéed pancetta or bacon into this pasta.

Active time: 25 min Start to finish: 25 min

Active time: 35 min Start to finish: 2 1/2 hr

The goat cheese, when tossed with the hot pasta, melts and becomes a creamy sauce. We've learned that it's a good idea to taste your goat cheese before using it (or before buying it, if possible — one of the soft goat cheeses we tried seemed a bit too strong for this dish).

Delicious with roasted meats or chicken.

Button mushrooms would also be fine here. This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

"One night, I promised to make dinner for a blind date, and—as usual—I was running late," writes Hollander Finegold of Eugene, Oregon. "I had few ingredients and little time. Luckily, the dinner was a success, and this recipe has been a staple of mine ever since."

This dish, a specialty of northern Italy's Emilia-Romagna, is named for the regions capital city. Although the meaty sauce is classically paired with tagliatelle (ribbon pasta just slightly wider than fettuccine), it also marries well with a variety of pasta shapes that trap the savory sauce.

This attractive and flavorful main course is perfect for weeknight entertaining.

This zippy pasta features the best of Italy accented with Mexican serrano chilies. A Zinfandel or Italian Barolo is the right wine.

Lisa Caiazza of Franklin Square, New York, writes, "At the Manhattan law office where I'm a legal secretary, it seems as though the phones are always ringing. And if it isn't the phones that have me occupied, then there are lots of documents that need my attention. By the time I get home from the city, I usually have only about 45 minutes to put together dinner for my husband, Angelo, and myself. Still, that's enough time to make something filling and delicious, like a salad and a hearty pasta or soup." A quick and flavorful pasta dish that's special enough for company.

A colorful, fresh-tasting dish that comes together in minutes. Serve this with a mixed green salad and some bread.

Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 30 min