One thing I struggle with every day is the family asking 'What's for dinner?' I don't think I'm alone here; it seems to be a common dilemma among many people, especially those who are part of a two-income family.

I usually wait until 5 p.m. to think about what I'm going to make for that night's dinner. Even when I have something in mind, I usually don't have one or two of the ingredients. Lately, I've tried to keep certain staples in the house to ensure that I have the basics to make a simple dinner.

Lasagna pasta is great for going meatless. It is a comforting, rich and hearty meal with meat or without. Go ahead and experiment with other vegetables to your taste. Many of you may say that it isn't traditional lasagna without the rippled pasta, but you just may be surprised at the taste and texture of rippled, and I don't believe you will ever notice the difference.

I purchased a couple of pounds of Alaskan king crab legs a while back and thoroughly enjoyed them just dipped in butter. I left two legs uneaten and refrigerated them. Two days later, I really wanted crab again, but in a different culinary theme - something quick and filling. One of my favorite dishes is Alfredo, so I thought, why not combine the two? Once it was prepared, I didn't even want to take the time to take a picture of it. I enjoyed every morsel with no bread left over, having used it to sop up Alfredo sauce (since I can't lick my bowls anymore).

The following week, spending even more money on seafood, I purchased a pound of shrimp and relived my night of briny delight. And this is what I made. If you enjoy it half as much as I did, you are in for a hearty, satisfying meal.

Nah, I wouldn't do that to you nice folks. I am, however, going to give you some recipes that combine vibrant spring colors with freshness that will remind you that spring is here. These quick, delicious and beautiful pasta dishes are great to look at and have that spring zing in taste.