Aaron Hutcherson

Aaron Hutcherson · NYT Cooking

Toss spinach-artichoke dip with pasta, and it feels right at home on the dinner table. This recipe, which nixes the traditional cream cheese for a blend of salty Parmesan and heavy cream, is prepared on the stovetop and requires only 10 minutes of active cooking before it’s slid into the oven. As with any baked pasta, the key is to cook the shells until pointedly shy of al dente and to toss them with a sauce that seems excessively wet, as the pasta will tenderize and the sauce will thicken in the oven. These ingredients skew classic, but there is infinite room to riff: Swap in chopped kale or mustard greens in place of the spinach, experiment with cheese combinations, stir in mustard or caramelized onions or top with crumbled bacon.

Aaron Hutcherson · NYT Cooking

This one-pan recipe melds roasted fennel, creamy white beans and salty Parmesan, and tops it with crunchy lemon-zested panko. Fennel is often dismissed because of its perceived licorice notes, but the anise flavor is significantly muted after the vegetable is cooked. Tuck fresh, sliced sausages into the mixture before baking to imitate a simplified cassoulet, turn it into a side dish by pairing it with meat or let the dish live as a main, served with a simple green salad and some rustic bread to sop up the sauce. Reserve the fresh fennel fronds for garnish, which add concentrated fennel flavor and a pop of green.

Aaron Hutcherson · NYT Cooking

Making use of a well-stocked pantry, this weeknight chili takes inspiration from the flavor profile of mole negro, an Oaxacan sauce made with chiles and chocolate that traditionally takes a full day to make, but results in a pot full of depth and nuance in less than an hour. It relies upon ground beef or turkey, and uses canned chiles in adobo, paprika and ancho chili powder for heat, plus a mix of warm spices, chocolate in two forms, and a little bit of peanut butter to round it out. In essence, this recipe is another variation of the combination of sweet and heat.

Aaron Hutcherson · NYT Cooking

Pasta with cabbage is a common combination across much of Central and Eastern Europe. In this quick weeknight meal, an entire head of cabbage is cooked in the fat left behind by sweet Italian sausage. Goat cheese adds tang and helps create a cream sauce that ties everything together. Feel free to use this recipe as a guideline to come up with your own variation: Try it with your favorite shape of pasta, swap out the thyme for dill, parsley or another herb, or substitute the goat cheese for Parmesan.

Aaron Hutcherson · NYT Cooking

This sophisticated side is easy enough for a weeknight, but fancy enough for entertaining thanks to a few unexpected additions: Seasoned Greek yogurt forms the basis of an effortless sauce, while toasted coriander seeds and chopped pistachios add texture. Roasting sweet, earthy beets concentrates their flavor, and a splash of balsamic balances out their sweetness. This dish can be prepared in advance and served hot, cold or at room temperature, but its assembly should be done just before serving so the toasted coriander seeds and roasted pistachios retain their crunch.

Aaron Hutcherson · NYT Cooking

Brussels sprouts roasted simply with oil, salt and pepper are absolutely delicious — but if you want something a little more interesting, add a spoonful of red miso, a powerhouse of salt and umami. Pair it with sweet honey to balance out the earthy bitterness of the brussels sprouts. A hit of lime juice after roasting perks everything up, and chopped almonds add a nice crunch. You can double or triple this recipe to feed a large crowd, or to ensure that there are leftovers.

Aaron Hutcherson · NYT Cooking

Calling for rye flour instead of all-purpose, these chocolate chip cookies are not your ordinary batch. The rye flour lends a nutty complexity to balance the chocolate. And while any chocolate will work in this recipe, dark chocolate is a great match for the rye. A combination of light and dark brown sugar also adds richness and chew beneath the slightly crisp exterior.

Aaron Hutcherson · NYT Cooking

A one-pan meal is always a good option for a weeknight. This one is nice and bright because of the white wine and lemon, and rich from the olive oil and butter. You can save on prep time by using precut fresh or even frozen broccoli florets to get dinner on the table even faster. For those who like crispy bits, keep the skillet on the stove for a little bit longer so that the orzo browns where it meets the pan, as it would in a paella or fideuà.

Aaron Hutcherson · NYT Cooking

Sweet potatoes and cheese are flavored with cumin, smoked paprika, black pepper and cayenne for warmth, smokiness and a little bit of a kick. Once these croquettes are breaded and deep fried, a crisp crust delicately encapsulates the soft and gooey mixture within. They are very straightforward to prepare, but the process makes them a labor of love, perfect for entertaining or simply showing off your kitchen prowess.