This is one of the easiest dinners you can make, yet it tastes far more elegant than the effort suggests. Everything cooks in one pan, the sauce builds itself as the pasta simmers, and the final result feels like something you planned carefully, even if you did not. It is also a very practical way to get salmon onto the table for picky eaters. The cream softens the flavor, the peas blend in naturally, and suddenly you have a balanced plate with omega-3 from the salmon and fib

I love pasta in every form, but this version makes everyone at home happy. And since it uses a full pack of pasta, I always end up with an extra portion to take to work the next day. It’s one of those comforting meals that taste even better after reheating, thanks to the flavorful meat sauce, creamy homemade béchamel, and that golden cheesy crust on top. Ingredients 500 g pasta (rigatoni, penne, ziti, or any short pasta you have on hand) For the Meat Sauce 2 tablespoons olive

When I first started making creamy tomato sauces, I could never figure out why the cream didn’t blend in properly. Then I learned what really happens: when cold cream meets the acidity of tomatoes, it reacts and separates. The trick is simple. Let the cream come to room temperature before adding it, and balance the sauce with a small pinch of sugar. Ever since I started doing that, the sauce turns out silky and smooth every time. This version has become my weeknight staple. J

There are nights when I want something warm and creamy but don’t want to open a carton of cream or use five pans to get there. That’s how this pasta came to life; simple ingredients that melt together in one pan and taste like comfort in a bowl. The sauce comes entirely from the goat cheese, which softens into the warm pasta and turns creamy without feeling heavy. The spring onions add a bit of freshness, the chicken brings richness, and the whole thing feels balanced and sat

I’ve always related a little too much to Garfield, and it’s probably because my favorite food is also lasagna. Layers of soft pasta, rich meat sauce, creamy béchamel, and melted cheese make this comfort food at its best, everything good coming together in one bite. And while it might look like a lot of work, it’s surprisingly easy once you get started. The homemade béchamel makes all the difference, smoother, tastier, and much easier than store-bought if you follow the simple

My two favorite things in the world are pasta and cheese, so it’s no surprise that baked cheesy pasta is one of the dishes I turn to most often. This version is simple and honest: pasta folded into a tomato sauce enriched with cottage cheese, then finished in the oven with mozzarella on top until golden and bubbling. It’s the kind of food that brings everyone to the table without fuss, comforting but still light enough to enjoy any night of the week. Ingredients 250 g short p

This orzo is buttery, creamy, and full of Parmesan in the best way. It all comes together in one pot and turns creamy without using heavy...

Lasagna is one of those meals that always feels special at the table, but making it the traditional way can take a lot of time. Between...

The first time I photographed pesto pasta, I caught myself staring at the plate wondering why it didn’t look like the glossy, neon-green...

Some weeknights, you just need something simple that you know everyone will eat without complaints. This pasta is one of those meals. I’ve made it more times than I can count — usually when there’s ground meat in the fridge, no time for cream sauces, and a family that’s starting to get a little too hungry. The sauce is built on pantry staples — onion, tomato, garlic — and just enough simmering time to make everything taste like home. Add pasta and a bit of pasta water, and di

This is one of the most nostalgic dishes from my childhood. Domatesli pilav is as classic as it gets in a Turkish kitchen. It’s the kind of food that reminds you of home. I remember the kitchen filled with the smell of warm tomatoes and rice slowly steaming under the lid. There was always a light crispy and golden crust at the bottom of the pot and we’d all hope our spoon would catch a piece. Ingredients 1½ cups white rice (preferably Baldo or another Turkish-style long grai

Pappardelle is one of my go-to pastas when I want something that feels a little extra. Butter and garlic melt into a silky sauce, a splash of pasta water makes it glossy, fresh herbs keep it bright, and a handful of Parmesan finishes everything off. Simple, comforting, and ready in minutes. Ingredients 250g pappardelle 1/2 cup reserved starchy water from the pasta 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 2-3 garlic cloves, finely chopped or minced Salt Black pepper A handful of chopped

In Turkish homes, this dish is a staple — served alongside everything from roasted chicken to vegetable stews, or even enjoyed on its own with a dollop of yogurt. Bulgur, made from cracked wheat, is rich in fiber and nutrients, making it a wholesome alternative to rice. What I love most about this pilaf is its simplicity: a handful of pantry ingredients, one pot, and less than 20 minutes later, you have a side that tastes like home. Ingredients 1 cup bulgur wheat 2 tbsp olive

There’s something about mac and cheese that just brings people together. It’s familiar, comforting, and endlessly satisfying — the kind...

This pasta started as a quick way to use up some extra cherry tomatoes and bell peppers, and it ended up becoming a regular in our home. It’s simple to prepare, yet the flavor is bold and comforting; roasted vegetables, warm spices, and creamy feta blended into a silky sauce that coats every bite of pasta. I roast everything together in one dish: the tomatoes soften and burst, the peppers char slightly, and the feta turns golden and soft. A quick blitz in the blender with a s

On the evenings I want something quick and cosy, this pan of garlic butter shrimp with udon is the answer. The noodles go straight from...

Some weeknights call for a dish that feels like a treat without asking much from you in return. That’s where this baked salmon feta pasta comes in. Everything roasts together in one dish and the oven does most of the work while you set the table or pour a glass of wine. The tomatoes soften and caramelize, mixing with the creamy feta to make a tangy, rich sauce that coats the pasta beautifully. The salmon breaks into tender flakes, adding heartiness and enough protein to make

There’s something so comforting about a bubbling tray of lasagna fresh out of the oven. While I love the charm of traditional recipes,...

Some recipes just become part of the rhythm of your kitchen. This creamy garlic chicken pasta is exactly that for us. It’s cozy, rich, and full of flavor, yet so simple to throw together on a weeknight. The juicy seared chicken pairs perfectly with the silky crème fraîche sauce, infused with garlic and topped off with plenty of parmesan. Every time we make it, someone asks for seconds—and that’s when you know you’ve got a keeper. If crème fraîche isn’t available where you are

Pasta simmering in tomato sauce is one of those things that instantly makes a kitchen feel calm and familiar. This eggplant and garlic pasta is a dish I often make on evenings when I want something comforting and filling, but also easy to pull together in one pan, without ending up with a sink full of dishes. The flavors are simple and rooted in the Mediterranean cooking I grew up with. Soft, almost creamy eggplant, tomatoes that cook down into a rich sauce, and plenty of gar