Simple and, yes, a little sneaky, this kid-friendly, fuss-free, casserole-like mac and cheese melds Cheddar and carrot to healthful effect.
About Melissa Clark
Melissa Clark is a food columnist for the New York Times and has written for Bon Appetit, Food & Wine, Every Day with Rachel Ray, and Martha Stewart, among others. After brief forays working as a caterer out of her fifth floor walk-up and as a line cook in a restaurant, Clark earned an M.F.A. in writing from Columbia University and began her food writing career. In addition to her most recent title, Cook This Now, she’s written some dozens of other cookbooks, many of them in collaboration with some of New York’s most celebrated chefs. Clark lives in Brooklyn with her husband, Daniel, their daughter Dahlia, and their formerly cosseted cat. @clarkbar
Caramelized Butternut Squash Pie
This un-pumpkin pumpkin pie is made with caramelized butternut squash, spices, and a splash of brandy. It’s subtly different from the classic yet still oh-so-perfect for Thanksgiving.
Spiced Maple Pecan Pie with Star Anise
Here’s a nifty little trick. Reduce maple syrup until sticky, infuse it with spice, and rely on it to impart its ridiculously intense essence to pecan pie.
Roast Pork Chops with Peaches
An easy, no-fuss, one-sheet meal of seasoned, roasted pork chops, peach wedges, and red onion. Another reason to be grateful for the summer season.
Buttery Crab Pasta
Seafood pasta is always a little luxurious—even on Wednesday night, and even when the pasta in question is ready in half an hour.
Grilled Leg of Lamb
A leg of lamb that’s been slathered in French flavors. We’re swooning over how cultured—and sated—it makes us feel.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Chickpeas on a Sheet Pan
A sweet and savory, good-for-you sheet-pan dinner that is full of unexpected spice and even a little sweetness. It’s the latest and greatest from Melissa Clark.
Sheet Pan Beef Skewers
We like this recipe because it’s both kid-friendly and kid-chef-friendly. But it doesn’t taste like it, we promise…even the adults will clamor for more. Did we mention barely any cleanup?
Pressure Cooker Chocolate Pudding
Chocolate pudding that’s intensely rich and fudgy and done in minutes. God help us all.
Pork Scallopini with Apples and Sage
You tell us whether the best part of these seared pork with caramelized apples is the taste or just one skillet to clean.
Pressure Cooker Vietnamese Caramel Salmon
Dinner in just 10 minutes that’s as tempting as it is healthy? You betcha.
Blood Orange Olive Oil Cake
Ah, blood orange olive oil cake. It’s moist, dense, and full of citrusy goodness. It makes a perfect ending to a meal or, even better, a great start to the day.
Perfect Pie Crust
This easy pie crust is just that: Easy. High-fat European butter gives it its richness and superb flakiness. Use this pie crust for all your baking.