Recipes

Hetty Lui McKinnon · NYT Cooking

This spicy, tangy and bold dish is a vegan take on chile paneer, the popular Indo-Chinese stir-fry (the fusion cuisine arose from Chinese immigrants in Kolkata, India, adapting their cooking style to suit Indian palates). Here, tofu is dusted in cornstarch before pan-frying, locking in its moisture so that it stays bouncy, while also creating a crispy exterior that holds onto the sauce. The aromatic base of ginger, garlic, green chiles and soy sauce is combined with sharply acidic additions of ketchup, sriracha and rice vinegar to create a punchy sauce that is salty, sweet and piquant. Serve with rice for a simple yet exciting weeknight meal. Watch Hetty Lui McKinnon make this dish in this video.

Hetty Lui McKinnon · NYT Cooking

Thanks to its high water content, zucchini reliably delivers super-moist easy-mix breads. This zucchini loaf swings savory, confidently cheesy from sharp Cheddar with a gentle acidity and peppery heat from store-bought pickled jalapeños. There is no need to squeeze out the excess water from the grated zucchini, as the water from the squash is essential to hydrating the thick batter, resulting in a light and tender crumb. A great option for picnics, potlucks and gatherings, this zucchini bread is robust enough to be buttered like bread and can be eaten as a snack, or served with salad for an easy meal.

Dan Pelosi · NYT Cooking

This take on the classic pumpkin muffin happily makes room for cardamom in the pumpkin spice mix, which adds an extra layer of warm, peppery flavor. A small amount of cardamom is added to the muffin batter, but it’s in the buttery crumb topping where the cardamom really shines: Melted butter and sugar are combined with cardamom and cinnamon to make a spicy, crunchy crumb topping that enhances every bite. These muffins make a perfect fall breakfast treat with a cup of coffee and a cardigan.

Dan Pelosi · NYT Cooking

Store-bought, cheese-filled tortellini are immersed in an extra creamy tomato broth alongside Italian sausage and Tuscan (lacinato) kale, creating a hearty and comforting soup that comes together in 30 minutes. Paprika and dried fennel seeds give the soup an unexpected flavor profile that enhances the sweet creamy tomato broth. Kale is added in the last few minutes of cooking, ensuring it keeps enough of its bite. Lemon juice finishes off the soup, bringing a hint of brightness at the very end. Endless subs and additions are welcome for this recipe, with kale easily replaced with spinach, Swiss chard or cabbage. The sausage can be left out for a vegetarian option and the heavy cream can be subbed with whole milk or non-dairy cream for a lighter broth. And of course, the tortellini can be replaced with ravioli, which are basically the same thing, but shaped differently.

Dan Pelosi · NYT Cooking

Arrabbiata literally translates to “angry” in Italian. Don’t worry, the goal of this angry chicken is to make you just the opposite. Sugo all'arrabbiata is traditionally a simple, spicy tomato sauce that gets its heat and flavor from spicy chile peppers: dried, fresh or both. This recipe uses both crushed red pepper and chopped Calabrian chiles or hot cherry peppers — along with olive oil, shallot, tomatoes and garlic — to make sauce for crispy chicken thighs to lay in as they are roasted to perfection. Additional hot peppers or fresh tomatoes are more than welcome. While there’s plenty of sauce to serve traditionally over pasta, this arrabbiata is happiest over creamy polenta.

Dan Pelosi · NYT Cooking

This is a quick breakfast twist on the classic Italian-American sausage, peppers and onions sandwich. Here, the sausage, peppers and onions are joined by potatoes and sautéed up in a skillet. The sausage is crispy, the peppers and onions are spicy and sweet, and the potatoes are soft and pillowy. Dried fennel seeds join the party, adding depth of flavor as they heat up in the pan. (They are especially important if you leave the sausage out altogether for a vegetarian option). Finally, just the right amount of eggs beaten with Parmesan turn the classic sandwich into a simple yet hearty frittata that is a crowd pleaser for all ages.

Dan Pelosi · NYT Cooking

The classic combo of turkey and stuffing, all rolled into one. These turkey meatballs use cubed bread as their binder. The bread is joined by olive oil, chicken stock, minced vegetables and seasonings to make them extra moist and flavorful. The meatballs come together much faster and easier than roasting a stuffed turkey, which makes them an easy win for when you have all the Thanksgiving leftovers except for turkey. Perfect for more than just Thanksgiving, these meatballs can be served with gravy and cranberry sauce, stuffed inside of a sandwich, on top of a salad, or as an appetizer. Feel free to swap ground turkey with chicken or pork and the bread cubes with packaged herb or cornbread stuffing or even any leftover stuffing if you have it.

Dan Pelosi · NYT Cooking

Somehow, there is always leftover cranberry sauce after all of the other Thanksgiving leftovers have disappeared. The classic grilled cheese sandwich comes to the rescue, welcoming any cranberry sauce you have on hand into its warm, melty embrace. A meat-free alternative to the traditional Thanksgiving leftover sandwich, this cranberry sauce grilled cheese thrives with mild or sharp Cheddar, though any cheese is welcomed here. Adding in a layer of Dijon mustard and of course, a few slices of turkey, are also great ideas.

Dan Pelosi · NYT Cooking

This classic French dish of green beans or haricots verts is an all-star holiday side. The French name for the preparation, “amandine,” means “cooked or served with almonds” and, going back to its Latin origins, also means “worthy of love”. Luckily, this recipe translates to both. It comes together fast and is easy to get on the table while cooking a big meal, plus the more time-consuming steps can be done in advance. Haricot verts are often preferred because of their crunchiness, but any green bean will shine just as bright when tossed in butter, shallots and garlic and topped with toasted slivered almonds.

Dan Pelosi · NYT Cooking

When it comes to luxurious holiday beverages, eggnog really takes the cake. Or in this case, the pudding. It’s no surprise that thick, creamy eggnog makes an equally thick and creamy pudding with hardly any effort. Store-bought eggnog is mixed with whole milk to balance out its richness and nutmeg is added for an extra hit of nostalgic spice. Rum or rum extract can be added at the very end to lift spirits even higher. This is a perfect recipe to place on your holiday dessert table for guests, or to use up any lingering eggnog in the fridge after the party has ended. It can be topped with any accessories you desire, such as crushed gingersnaps, cinnamon whipped cream or simply an extra dash of nutmeg.

Dan Pelosi · NYT Cooking

One of nature’s miracles is that mushroom caps make a perfect vessel for stuffing. They are most commonly stuffed with a simple mix of bread crumbs, butter and herbs. Beyond that, there are many ways to sweeten the pot, like these crab-stuffed mushrooms. They are easy to make using canned crab meat (though you can use leftover crab or lump crab meat if you like), garlic, fresh herbs, Parmesan, panko and just enough cream cheese to bring everything together and add tang. The flavor of the crab is the star of the show and it nicely compliments the juicy, earthy flavor of the mushrooms. Feel free to swap in crushed butter crackers for panko or use hot sauce instead of Worcestershire for some heat. Whatever you do, don’t skip the squeeze of lemon juice for a perfect hit of brightness before eating.

Dan Pelosi · NYT Cooking

The classic bacon, egg and cheese sandwich is turned into a crowd-pleasing breakfast strata. Chunks of sandwich rolls are soaked in a chive and egg mix, then topped with thick slabs of bacon and grated Cheddar, then baked in the oven until soft and fluffy inside and melty and crispy on top. Halfway into baking, whole eggs are nestled into the top of the strata then baked until perfectly set, for a runny yolk that, for some, is crucial to any good B.E.C. Fresh chives are sprinkled on the strata before serving, plus a splash of hot sauce, if that's your thing. The strata can be prepared and refrigerated a day in advance, then baked right before serving.

Dan Pelosi · NYT Cooking

The simple combination of a packet of French onion soup mix and a tub of sour cream is instantly delicious. Paired with crinkle cut potato chips, it’s the dip that everyone can’t stop eating. All the flavor found in that packet of soup mix can be duplicated — and perhaps improved upon — in this homemade version. Dried onion flakes are replaced with sweet and silky caramelized onions, which are time consuming but worth every minute. They are joined by onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne and Worcestershire sauce and stirred into sour cream, which creates a smooth and deeply flavorful dip that promises not to break your chips. If you want to make this recipe vegetarian, replace the Worcestershire sauce with a few splashes of soy sauce to taste. If you are looking for extra tang, replace some of the sour cream with Greek yogurt. If you crave a bit more fatty flavor, replace some of the sour cream with mayonnaise. And if you somehow don’t crave potato chips, serve this dip with crudités.

Dan Pelosi · NYT Cooking

This tangy and sweet vinaigrette is a must-have for all of your dressing, drizzling and dipping needs. It’s easy to make with pantry staples and lasts for up to one week refrigerated in an airtight container. Dijon mustard and apple cider vinegar make this version creamy and extra punchy. If you prefer a sweeter dressing, add more honey to your liking. For further riffing, you can use lemon juice instead of vinegar and swap in different types of mustard.

Dan Pelosi · NYT Cooking

Wings are a crowd-pleaser for game day or any day of the week. Baked, not fried, with a savory blend of spices, the chicken is then tossed in butter, fresh garlic, lemon zest and parsley. Plenty of freshly grated Parmesan added at the end makes these garlicky wings irresistibly good. The key to crispy wings is ensuring they spend time in the refrigerator after they have been coated in the baking powder and spices. The baking powder and salt draw moisture out of the wings, allowing the skin to brown more easily in the oven. Serve these with ranch dressing or your favorite dipping sauce. Feel free to add a few splashes of hot sauce while tossing the wings in the butter mixture, if you are feeling extra spicy.

Dan Pelosi · NYT Cooking

In this hearty and satisfying meal, ground beef is smothered in a delicious and thick gravy along with carrots, onions, celery and peas, then covered in creamy mashed potatoes and baked. Known for being freezer friendly, easy to make and economical, this recipe stretches its simple ingredients to feed many mouths. For variation, try using other vegetables in the base and swapping in sweet potatoes for the topping.

Dan Pelosi · NYT Cooking

This homemade version of the nostalgic seasoned bread crumbs from the supermarket yields pork chops that cook up almost as easy and fast — and even juicier. The recipe also gives your spice cabinet a workout with a delicious blend of spices. Start by brushing a thin layer of mayonnaise on boneless pork chops to lock in moisture and add flavor. Then coat the chops in a heavily seasoned sweet and savory bread crumb mix and bake until perfectly crispy and moist. Served with applesauce on the side, these pork chops are perfect for quick weeknight dinners. In fact, the bread crumb mix can be made in large batches so it is always on hand.

Dan Pelosi · NYT Cooking

This creamy, cozy chicken stew is fast enough for a weeknight meal yet satisfying enough for a long Sunday dinner. Boneless chicken thighs are used instead of breasts, as they stay juicier longer. Simmering them in the stew along with sweet paprika, chicken stock and a touch of apple cider vinegar adds surprising depth of flavor alongside dried herbs and plenty of vegetables for dimension and texture. Heavy cream is in the mix as well, wrapping everything in a silky blanket. This stew is as versatile as it is easy to make, so feel free to add in other vegetables like mushrooms or peppers and replace the heavy cream with coconut milk, or leave the cream out altogether.

Dan Pelosi · NYT Cooking

In this easy yet irresistible baked pasta recipe, a simple, meaty tomato sauce is layered with mostaccioli pasta and a creamy cheese mixture and baked until both melty (the cheese) and crisp (the pasta). Mostaccioli is identical to penne, but without the ridges. As a baked pasta dish, mostaccioli is similar to a traditional baked ziti and most commonly found on menus throughout the Midwest. Mostaccioli, like penne and ziti, is a favorite pasta shape for baked pasta dishes since the sauce and cheese easily find their way inside their long tubes, creating perfect bites. Adding cooked vegetables into the pasta mix is a welcome addition, and kale or broccoli work especially well. Skipping the sausage altogether and replacing it with cooked vegetables is also delicious and just as satisfying. And of course, swapping the mostaccioli with penne or ziti is always an option.

Dan Pelosi · NYT Cooking

These oven fries are a deeply satisfying and nostalgic side dish that comes together with ease any night of the week. Seasoning the wedges with spices, grated Parmesan and garlic, and roasting them with more freshly grated cheese on top, ensures plenty of flavor in every bite. Soaking the cut potatoes in cold water before baking releases extra starch which leads to crispier outsides and creamier insides. Equally essential to that textural contrast is drying the potatoes fully before seasoning and baking them. Enjoy as-is, or serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

Dan Pelosi · NYT Cooking

Blitzing pungent broccoli rabe into a creamy, nutty pesto (along with walnuts, garlic, Parmesan, olive oil and lemon juice) helps mellow any bitterness in this verdant weeknight pasta. Start by quickly boiling the broccoli rabe and garlic, which takes the edge off. Fans of broccoli rabe will enjoy extra bites of the greens throughout this pasta dish, and those looking to round the flavors out further would do well to add cooked Italian sausage, cannellini beans or a dollop of ricotta cheese. The broccoli rabe pesto can also be used as a topping for crostini or pizza, and can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or frozen for up to 3 months.

Dan Pelosi · NYT Cooking

Bomboloni are filled Italian doughnuts, often enjoyed with morning coffee or as a snack in the afternoon. They are referred to as “bombe,” or “bombs,” in some parts of Italy, possibly because the filling often explodes from the inside when you take a bite.

Dan Pelosi · NYT Cooking

Roasting thick wedges of well-seasoned potatoes skin-side down on a sheet pan delivers the crispness of fries while maintaining the soft, pillowy insides of a perfectly baked potato. Top them with crispy bacon, melted sharp Cheddar, chopped scallions and sour cream for a crowd-pleasing game-day snack or hearty appetizer.

Dan Pelosi · NYT Cooking

Cooked ham lends a surprising amount of flavor to this simple, hearty soup. Easy to put together using leftover ham or a ham steak, this recipe is perfect for a weeknight or a busy weekend.