73 Savory Cooking Projects for People Who Just Can't Make Another Loaf of Bread
Maybe you don't like baking. Maybe you're tired of trying to get your sourdough starter to activate. Maybe you really, truly can't eat another slice of cake for dinner. It's time to think of a savory cooking project.
Below, find 73 of our favorites, including pastas where each layer—the pasta, sauce (marinara), second sauce (béchamel), and fillings—is made from scratch, or dumpling wrappers, fillings, and dipping sauces, too. Each of these recipes will get you in that meditative cooking mode. And in the end: man, are they delicious.
Photo by Alex Lau, Prop Styling by Kalen Kaminski, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich1/73Citrus-and-Dill Gravlax
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Katherine Sacks2/73Pasta Dough for Handmade Shapes
This eggless pasta dough—perfect for hand-made shapes, like orecchiette, cavatelli, and pici—quickly comes together in the food processor. For an even easier approach, use a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook and let the machine do all the kneading.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Joe Sevier and Kat Boytsova3/73Beer Bratwurst
Making sausage from scratch isn't a difficult undertaking—though it can be a little awkward. However, it does require some special equipment. Once you have what you need, this project is easier than you'd think.
Photo by Ed Anderson5/73Boiled or Panfried Dumpling Dough
Not only can you take time out to master dumpling pleats, you can do it with dumpling wrappers you made from scratch.
Photo by Alex Lau6/73Classic Cassoulet
There might be no more detailed or—let's be honest—expensive savory cooking project than a classic cassoulet, but it's a really rewarding effort. As soon as you take the first bite of this French casserole of creamy white beans, pork, and duck confit, you'll be glad you went for it.
Photo by Alex Lau, Prop Styling by Heather Greene, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou8/73Sausage and Ricotta Baked Cannelloni
The recipe for this meaty pasta bake calls for homemade béchamel but store-bought marinara. And while you could go that way, homemade marinara will make it even more impressive.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Billingskog9/73Pickled Shrimp
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Styling by Ali Nardi10/73Homemade American Cheese
No more cellophane-wrapped singles for you: Make better American cheese at home with just 5 ingredients.
Photo by Alex Lau, Prop Styling by Megan Hedgpeth, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich12/73Ham Hock and White Bean Stew
While this stew is definitely heavier on the beans than on the ham, the hocks lend a rich, smoky essence that flavors the beans from the inside out. Serve the stew as the centerpiece surrounded the suggested fixings of fried shallots, honey-mustard cream, and cornichons, so each person can pick and choose to build their own bowls.
