Name: Pizza Noodles
Yield: Makes 6 to 8 servings
Ingredients: 1 pound ziti, rigatoni, or shells; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 3 cups Bolognese meat sauce, marinara tomato sauce, or store-bought pasta sauce; 1 pound ricotta cheese; 1 pound mozzarella, coarsely shredded or thinly sliced; Grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese, for serving

Editor's note: This recipe was included with two others from our roundup of great cookbooks for Dad.

Lasagna needs to be constructed. That doesn't mean you need blueprints or permits, but it is a whole production. Pizza Noodles are like a sloppy lasagna. You can throw everything together, practically blindfolded. And what kid can resist the name?

Recipe notes

Halloumi Lasagna

In this lasagna, soft layers of pasta and béchamel are interspersed with a rich tomato sauce laden with hearty Mediterranean vegetables.

Spinach Ramen Gratin

You can consider this recipe a template for creating a gooey, cheesy instant ramen dish with an appetizing golden crust in the oven.

Tortellini in Preserved Lemon Brodo

A quick-fix dinner thanks to store-bought tortellini and chicken broth.

Berberger Pasta

This comforting cheeseburger-inspired pasta from Kiano Moju is bolstered by berbere spice.

Almost Cannoli Galettes

Cannoli and sfogliatelle require complex technique—making them is best left to the professionals. But a galette-inspired variation? That’s a snap to do at home.

Pasta Alla Mezcal

This marinara sauce is great tossed with any pasta for a quick and easy weeknight dinner that will leave you thinking, “Why didn’t anyone try this sooner?”

Pad Kee Mao (Drunken Spaghetti)

Spaghetti is a common variation in modern Thai cooking. It’s so easy to work with and absorbs the garlicky, spicy notes of pad kee mao well.

Palets Bretons

Palets bretons are oversize cookies that feature butter, and because they’re from Brittany, they’re traditionally made with beurre salé, salted butter.