Italian

Add chopped tomato or spinach to filling. Note

Using sweet and smoked paprika gives extra flavour to feta, but use just sweet if you like. Note

Replace parmesan with finely grated tasty cheese. Omit basil. You can use tomato pasta sauce instead of passata; consistency will vary slightly. Note

Use 3 chopped large tomatoes instead of sun-dried tomato strips. Add a touch of cream for extra sauce. Note

Kumara is orange sweet potato. Note

Use bought char-grilled capsicum. Try lamb or beef fillets instead of chicken. Baby racket leaves have a slightly peppery taste. You can use baby spinach or cos leaves instead. Note

You can use chopped regular tomatoes instead of cherry and teardrop, if you prefer. If you want to make your own gnocchi, use floury potatoes, or even try kumara, ricotta or polenta. Steam, don’t boil, vegies to prevent waterlogging. Note

Reserve cherry tomato juice; freeze in ice-cube trays, then store in an airtight container. Add to pasta sauces. Try basil instead of parsley. Swap bacon for chopped shaved ham. Add ham with the spinach. You can use penne or gnocchi instead of tortellini. Note

Fresh pizza bases are in the bakery aisle or the refrigerated section near the dairy goods. Use bought baba ghanoush or basil pesto instead of hummus. Note

They don't call it a classic for nothing. This Italian spaghetti dish is so effortless and simple yet so delicious you'll soon see why it's such a staple.

Uncooked gnocchi suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

Nana does enjoy an Eye-talian every now and then. Grandad is a bit leery of foreign food, but as my sauce is made from his home-grown tomatoes he can hardly call it foreign, now can he? A big batch of sauce is the perfect solution to a summer surplus and freezing the sauce in plastic bags ensures it’s safe from pesky botulism. Tomato relishes and ketchups contain vinegar, boosting the acidity, so they are fine to bottle, but tomato sauce is a different kettle of fish. I can’t guarantee the mixture will be acidic enough to store safely in bottles so freezing is the answer. Zip-lock bags, filled and frozen flat so they stack neatly in the freezer, are perfect. I find some single-serve portions useful as well as bigger, family-sized batches.

Use grated mozzarella instead of parmesan. Try thinly sliced shaved ham instead of bacon. Go vegetarian: swap bacon for 300 grams of sliced button mushrooms and increase parmesan to 1/2 cup. Note

Use salami or bacon instead of chorizo. Flavour will vary. Use any pasta shape, such as penne or rigatoni. Cooking time will vary. Vegetarian: Omit chorizo and add thickly sliced bought char-grilled kumara (orange sweet potato) and zucchini slices from the deli counter. Price will vary. Note

You could try zucchini or eggplant instead of pumpkin. If preferred, you could use naan, pita or Lebanese bread instead of pide. Note

You’ll need about 1/2 bunch basil to make 1/3 cup chopped basil. Prepare the meatloaf mixture a day ahead. Press into prepared muffin tray. Cover, then refrigerate. Note

This egg-free pumpkin, spinach and bacon frittata is incredibly quick to make - you can have it on the table in just 20 minutes! It's perfect for dinner on a busy evening, or to whip up for workday lunches.

You could use chicken, beef or pork instead of veal. Note

Use canned pink salmon instead of tuna. Use 8 small pita pockets instead of Lebanese bread. Use bought tomato pasta sauce with basil and garlic instead of passata and garlic. Price will vary. Note

We used thin pork steaks (sold as ‘uncrumbed pork schnitzels’), available in packets at most supermarkets or your butcher. Make sure your frying pan has a flameproof handle; if it doesn’t, wrap handle in several layers of foil to protect it from the heat. Note

Cook pasta a day ahead. Cool under cold running water; drain, then drizzle with a little oil to keep strands separate. Cover, then refrigerate. Note

Omit feta and serve pasta sprinkled with grated tasty cheese instead, if liked. For a low-fat variation, use shaved ham instead of salami and low-fat fresh ricotta instead of feta. Like it spicy? Use a hot salami. Note

Gluten-free: Use gluten-free sausages and gluten-free pizza base spread with a little tomato paste. Note

You can use beef, pork or chicken mince instead of lamb. Note

You can prepare the meatball mixture a day ahead. Cover, then refrigerate. Meatballs of any flavour are good in this recipe. Mix it up a little by adding pitted black olives, or give the subs a Greek twist with fetta instead of ricotta. Note

For extra colour and flavour, add small pieces of roast pumpkin or kumara (orange sweet potato). To make a delicious quiche, blind bake a shortcrust pastry shell made from a frozen (thawed) shortcrust pastry sheet, then pour in frittata mixture; bake. Note

You can use any type of filled pasta. You’ll find agnolotti in the chilled fresh pasta section of any supermarket. Use kumara (orange sweet potato) instead of pumpkin. Note

You can use leftover roast or barbecued chicken. You’ll need 1 cooked chicken for 3 cups. Note

You can use any small pasta shape. For a vegetarian option, omit bacon. Use vegetable stock cubes and add 2 x 400g cans rinsed chickpeas. Note

Use a vegetable peeler to cut zucchini into long thin ribbons. Note

You’ll need 1 small barbecued chicken. Use fresh fettuccine instead of macaroni. This will reduce cooking time by half. Low-fat: omit butter and use skinless chicken. Note

Meat lovers: Replace butter beans with 200g cooked mince. Make ahead: Stuff capsicums up to 4 hours ahead. Cover, then refrigerate. Bring to room temperature to grill. Note

You can add 1 teaspoon sugar to pasta sauce as it cooks to reduce the acidity of the tomatoes, and a pinch of ground chilli for extra heat. To speed things up, use bought fresh or frozen meatballs. Price will vary. Note

Pork leg steaks or beef sizzle steaks can be used instead of lamb. Note

Low fat: Use tuna in spring water. Spray frying pan lightly with cooking oil spray. Gluten free: Swap gnocchi for 1 cup long-grain white rice. Cooking time will vary. Note

For a milder variation, you can use shaved ham instead of salami. Children may like pineapple instead of artichokes. Replace basil dip with roasted capsicum, chilli or spinach dip. Fresh pizza bases are available in the chilled section of the supermarket. Note

Place pizza trays on wire racks (or clean, empty cans) during cooking; this helps ensure bases don’t burn. No covered barbecue? Cook pizzas in an oven preheated to 220°C/200°C fan forced. Cooking time may vary. Make ahead: Make mince mixture a day ahead. Cover, then refrigerate. Note

This chicken dish is filling yet light, perfect for a romantic evening.

Clams are the hero of this sophisticated pasta dish.

Makes 8 Buy beef mince that has a little fat to erasure meatballs remain tender and juicy when cooked. When shaping meatballs, firmly roll to release air bubbles so they don’t fall off skewers. Use a vegetable peeler to cut carrot into long 3mm-thick strips. Save time: Slice carrot into rounds instead. Note

Watermelon granita

A decadent tiramisu with coffee, cream cheese and ricotta with a lovely light sponge. This tiramisu recipe is simple yet indulgent, especially with cocoa powder dusted on top.

Use fresh or frozen blueberries or sliced fresh strawberries instead of raspberries. Note

Be gentle when folding over the dough to avoid crushing the grapes. If not eating immediately, place hot pizza on a wire rack to avoid the base steaming and going soggy. Sprinkle top of pizza with cinnamon sugar before baking. Note

You could use grated cheddar cheese instead of feta, if preferred. Note

To prevent breaking and overcooking, simmer gnocchi very gently. Note

Use tasty cheese instead of pizza cheese. Only have one baking tray? Bake one pizza at a time. Add crisp bacon to the topping. Try baby spinach leaves instead of rocket. Note

Use cheese and ham or veal tortellini. You can use either light thickened cream, or half milk and half thickened cream instead. No romano cheese? Use parmesan or pecorino cheese instead. Note

Sun-dried tomato tapenade can be found in the oils, sauces and bottled vegetable section of your supermarket, alongside olives and pasta sauce. Note

You’ll need 2 fresh medium mango cheeks or 3 canned or frozen cheeks. Grate zest before peeling orange. Note

Substitute pasta with low-GI noodles, such as udon, rice or hokkien. Note

For added spice, add 1/2 teaspoon dried chilli flakes to tomato during cooking. You can use any canned beans in this recipe. Note

Swap grated cheddar cheese for parmesan. Make ahead: prepare this dish a day ahead. Cover, then refrigerate. Bake close to serving. You’ll need 2 slices of sourdough bread to make crumbs. Note

The ultimate comfort food, whip up a gorgeous homemade lasagne dish for your family tonight. Layered with chunky beef pieces, tender pasta and a cheesy sauce, it is packed full of flavour.

Pizza cheese is a combination of grated mozzarella and cheddar cheese, sometimes with parmesan for extra bite. Note

A gourmet twist on the classic Italian pasta dish, we've added a spicy tuna mix into this lasagne to create a protein-packed, gourmet dish the whole family will love.

This baked pork meatballs in tomato sauce recipe is the perfect family meal!

Tuscan bean soup

Health tip: For better heart health, use reduced-fat dairy spread instead of butter. Note

We all love roasted Italian vegetables when dining out, but so often do not prepare them at home. It’s a pity, as the roasted veges in this pasta dish are as appealing...

Mixed wild mushrooms, a touch of chilli... Luca Villari whips up this pasta dish full of flavour

Cubes of fresh-caught tuna, and a squeeze of lemon... Luca Villari whips up this pasta dish full of flavour

This wonderfully creamy pasta dish pairs savoury three cheese tortellini with a rich boscaiola sauce to create a delicious dinner, perfect for a weeknight family meal.

Use 2 thinly sliced roma tomatoes instead of cherry tomatoes. Price will vary. To thaw frozen peas quickly, place in a colander in the sink. Pour boiling water over; refresh under cold running water. Note

You’ll need 2 slices of bread to make 1 cup breadcrumbs. Note

You’ll need 1 1/2 slices of bread to make 3/4 cup breadcrumbs. Note

Buy loose mixed salad instead of a packet. Assemble salad just before serving. Leftovers? Use remaining sour dough bread stick for sandwiches. Note

Risotto for making arancini is best cooked the day before. Arancini makes great finger food when you serve it with a spicy tomato relish. Perfect for parties. Note

Replace tortellini with cooked penne or rigatoni pasta. Try rocket leaves instead of baby spinach. You can use any italian-style sausage. Note

The classic Italian dish of chicken cacciatore resulting in a rustic braise of chicken, aromatic vegetables and tomatoes, makes this the perfect dish to serve with risoni.

Try salami instead of chorizo. To make a packet of microwave rice go further, use it in stir-fries and salads or with vegies. Note

You’ll need 2 passionfruit for the pulp. For best results, make icing just before using it. Passionfruit icing: makes 2/3 cup. Note

Low fat: Omit oil. Cook in a non-stick frying pan; use reduced-fat sour cream or natural yoghurt. Note

Use canned pink salmon. Add lemon juice and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Use rinsed capers instead of olives. Price will vary. Don’t drain flavoured tuna; the liquid adds flavour to the sauce. Marinated artichoke hearts are at the deli counter; or buy in jars, drain, then refrigerate leftovers for up to 2 weeks. […]

Use frozen peas instead of broad beans. You’ll need a quarter of a large barbecued chicken, skin and bones removed. Note

Save time – Use bought croutons instead of making your own. Make ahead – Cook croutons a day ahead, then keep in an airtight container. Add olives and basil to salad. To shallow-fry, add oil to a depth of 3cm. For extra protein, serve with 330g low-fat fetta, 480g tofu, 300g baked ricotta or 12 […]

Panko breadcrumbs can be found in Asian grocery stores and the Asian food aisle of most supermarkets. Note

Cooking pasta in boiling water first helps speed up the baking. If smoked mozzarella is unavailable, use mozzarella. Flavour will vary. Note

Use beef mince instead of lamb. Save time: Make a double batch of meatballs for later. You can freeze for up to 3 months. Note