Weeknight Meals

Salty-tart and just-sweet-enough ponzu sauce is a great back-pocket finisher for everything from salads to roasted vegetables, especially when you are tired of your everyday vinaigrette.

Toasted sesame seeds can often be found in the Asian sections of some supermarkets, sometimes labeled Gomasio. If ever there was a time of year to keep a big jar of them on hand, pre-toasted and ready to go, this is it. They are the perfect crunchy topper for everything from salads to soups and roasted vegetables.

Starting the chicken skin side down in a cold skillet lets the fat render slowly and results in the crispiest skin imaginable. It also yields a pan of flavorful schmaltz, aka liquid gold.

Sometimes with cooking, the best thing you can do is leave a thing alone. In this case, let the cabbage leaves sit and get charred around the edges before you even think about tossing them in the pan.

Instead of just using plain rice, make your own medley! Try a mix of white rice, millet, and/or quinoa, which all cook in about the same time. You can also sub kale for the Napa cabbage.

We love the just-set creamy texture of a stovetop frittata, but it does make it a little scary to handle. if you aren’t sure about inverting it to get it out of the pan, we have your back. Instead of flipping, transfer it to a 350° oven to finish cooking through.

This recipe is inspired by Gado-gado, a colorful and crunchy Indonesian salad, made with a wide array of raw and cooked vegetables (and sometimes noodles). The dressing is usually peanut-based, but we used cashews. Feel free to try another tender nut such as pistachios or pecans instead.

You know the soup and salad deal? Well, this is our take on combining the two into one dish.

You can keep the herbs, sauce, and noodles separate, or combine them all in a bowl like we did.

Raisins in your pesto?!? We promise that they deliver the right amount of sweetness to complement the lamb.

Think of this as the weeknight version of a classic Italian porchetta—it's not traditional, but it sure is delicious.

This weeknight-friendly pasta uses one skillet, one pot, and plenty of cheese.

Strange as it may sound, and although it is surely not the healthiest way to cook broccoli, do give this a try. You will be amazed at how even broccoli can become what tastes like an indulgent, olive oil–laden, garlicky treat.

The assignment: A satisfying, creamy, crave-worthy baked pasta that would still be delicious without (most of) the cheese. Nailed it!

This briny, bright sauce is just what you need to liven up almost any kind of fish.

The squid only takes 3 minutes to sear for this simple salad.

A super simple red sauce lets the shellfish shine—say that 5 times fast.

The noodles are just a vessel for this savory, gingery, simple weeknight sauce. Double the batch, and you’ll always have a way to brighten up simple grilled or pan-roasted chops, roasted veggies, or grain bowls.

Because you need more butter-roasted things in your life.

If you trimmed any excess fat off the steaks, render it slowly over medium heat and use in place of the oil.

Yes! You can cook lentils and quinoa TOGETHER. And now your life will become exponentially easier.

Every Christmas Eve, chef Renee Erickson goes crabbing with her family and friends—then they make this simple and decadent pasta.

Build big flavor quickly with condiments that are already in your fridge.

A roasting trick for weeknight chicken yields juicy meat and golden, crispy skin.