Cookthink

We love to use orzo pasta instead of rice in casseroles. The pasta feels lighter than the rice and gives the casserole a more interesting texture. If you want to give the casserole a more Eastern European feel, add some caraway and mustard seeds.

Simple Spaghetti And Meatballs

This is Claire's grandmother's classic spaghetti and meatballs recipe. She always made twice the meatballs she needed, because inevitably a few would get swiped from the pot before dinner. If you have any meatballs left, make a meatball sub the next day.

Simple Shepherd's Pie

Creamy homemade mashed potatoes top a simple mixture of ground beef and onions for this homey, hearty and relatively inexpensive meal. Read more about this recipe at hogwash.

Summer Squash Fritters With Herbs

If you make teaspoon-sized fritters, you can use them like blini and top them with tomato salad or pulled pork. This recipe from Cooking 4 The Week was featured in Root Source: Yellow Squash.

Tarragon, Chive And Caper Deviled Eggs

The beauty of the deviled egg is the ease of preparation, the endless variations -- and the fact that they are a real crowd-pleaser at cookouts and picnics. Read more about this recipe at Coconut & Lime.

Apple And Sausage Risotto

Crisp, tart apples have a subtle sweetness that makes them easy to fit into savory recipes. Here, diced apples are cooked with mild sausage to make the base for a hearty risotto, perfect for the cooler nights ahead. Read more about this recipe at the Washington Post.

Sausage, Mushroom And Onion Pizza

You should have enough sauce left over to make another pizza or two; (it can be frozen in a tightly covered container for about a month). Read more about this recipe at the Washington Post.

Italian Sausage Pita Pizza With Peppers And Carrots

Using pita bread as pizza crust is fast and easy -- and it crisps up nicely. The carrots, onions and peppers on this pizza also add a nice crunch and a burst of color.

Poached Eggs

Poached eggs are simple and delicate. Serve them on buttered toast or English muffins, use them to make Eggs Benedict or Eggs Florentine, or serve them with sautéed spinach, braised asparagus, boiled potatoes or to top a salad made with bitter greens like frisée.

Conchiglie With Mussels And Black Bean Sauce

Start the pasta water before you start working on anything else, and you'll have dinner in less than 30 minutes. You could also make this with leftover mussels and broth. Just skip steps 2. and 3. and reheat the broth before step 4. This recipe is part of Andrew Schloss's Sunday Dinners.

Lamb Braised With Clams

This is a surprising but delicious way to use leftover clams. If you don't have pesto on hand, whip up a batch -- it freezes well -- or just chop 1/4 cup of basil leaves and a clove of garlic and mix together with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. This recipe is part of Andrew Schloss's Sunday Dinners.

Baked Crab Cakes

These easy baked crab cakes are certainly hefty, yet light on the filling. Slip them under the broiler before serving to create an extra-crisp crust. Read more about this recipe at the Washington Post.