possibilities for the pasta lover are virtually endless. But although pasta remains one of the most versatile foods, there are a few classic dishes that almost everyone knows and loves, including the recipes below.

SPAGHETTI WITH MEAT SAUCE 1 lb. ground beef 1 green pepper, chopped 1 onion, chopped 1 stalk celery, chopped 2 cloves garlic, chopped 2 cups tomatoes, chopped 1 cup mushrooms, chopped 3 tblsps. olive oil 3 cup tomato paste 1 tsp. oregano 1 tsp. seasoning salt 1 tsp. black pepper 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce 1 bay leaf 1 sprig of thyme 1 tsp. rosemary 1 cup red wine 2 tsp. parsley, chopped 1 cup Parmesan cheese TO make sauce, saute onion, green pepper, celery and garlic in olive oil for a short period. Add ground beef and fry until brown. Add all other seasonings, mushrooms, tomatoes and tomato paste. Simmer for 30 minutes. Add wine, parsley and Parmesan cheese. Simmer for 30 minutes more. Serve over spaghetti that's been cooked until al dente (translation: "to the tooth,'' or before it gets in any way mushy).

LASAGNE 2 tblsps. olive oil 1 clove garlic, minced 1 medium onion, chopped 1 lb. ground beef 2 tsps. salt 1 tsp. pepper 1 tsp. rosemary 11 cups hot water 2 6-oz. cans tomato paste 1 lb. lasagne noodles, cooked and drained 1 lb. ricotta cheese 1 lb. mozzarella cheese, sliced TO make sauce, cook garlic and onions in hot oil until soft. Add beef and seasonings and cook until crumbly. Mix in tomato paste and hot water. Simmer for five minutes. In a shallow baking dish, layer a thin foundation of sauce, half the noodles, all of the ricotta and half the mozzarella. Repeat with half the remaining sauce, the noodles, the rest of the sauce and the rest of the mozzarella on top. Bake in a 350-degree-Fahrenheit oven for 30 minutes or until the sauce is bubbling. Let stand at room temperature for 10 minutes before cutting into squares.

CLASSIC MACARONI AND CHEESE 4 cups elbow macaroni, cooked 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded 1 cup evaporated milk 1 tsp. salt COMBINE cooked macaroni, shredded cheese, milk and salt and place in a shallow baking dish. Bake for 25 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Serves four.