Pan-Grilled Snapper with Orzo Pasta Salad
Small rice-shaped pasta, orzo cooks quickly and soaks up flavor from the vinaigrette. Double the vinaigrette and spoon some over the top of the fish, if you like.

Linguine with Spicy Red Clam Sauce
Canned clams make this no-fuss recipe supereasy. Of course, you can use fresh littleneck clams, if you prefer. Cook them for about five minutes or until the shells open, and discard any unopened shells. Use less crushed red pepper, or omit it if you prefer a milder sauce. Serve with garlic bread and a tossed green salad.

Lemon Basil Shrimp and Pasta
Substitute chopped cooked chicken for a variation on this one-meal dish. Serve with focaccia or crusty baguette. To speed up preparation, use fresh pasta (available in the supermarket's refrigerated section), which cooks more quickly than dried. Check the package directions for the cook time and add the shrimp during the last three minutes.

Seared Scallops with Lemon Orzo
Sear the scallops while the orzo cooks. Serve this easy but impressive meal with a green salad, garlic bread, and a crisp white wine.

Chicken Puttanesca with Angel Hair Pasta
We add olives, capers, crushed red pepper, and fresh basil to bottled pasta sauce for a quick variation on the traditional version.

Linguine with Garlicky Clams and Peas
Fresh linguine from the supermarket's refrigerated section cooks quickly, so this dish comes together in a flash. Crusty bread and a tossed green salad will round out the meal.

Penne with Asparagus, Spinach, and Bacon
This pasta toss comes together in a snap on busy weeknights. Complement it with a glass of white wine, such as sauvignon blanc, and garlic-Parmesan breadsticks.