Penne

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

This dish is best eaten right away. You can make all the parts — except for the pasta — way ahead of time and just throw it together at the last minute. (The slow-roasted tomatoes are also great in other roles — as part of an antipasto in the summertime, as an omelet filling, or as a topping on grilled bread.)

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. Make this with vegetable broth for a meatless main course.

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

Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 40 min

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

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

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less but requires additional unattended time.

Parmesan goes a long way on this meatless entrée, so use sparingly. Pour some Chianti.

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.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

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.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.