[Photographs: J. Kenji López-Alt, Emily and Matt Clifton, Vicky Wasik]
It’s that time of year when everyone’s made some kind of New Year’s resolution, and for a lot of people that means eating better. That’s all well and good—I would never begrudge you for trying to be healthier—but if you’re going to spend most of your time eating kale and chia seeds, then I think you deserve a treat once in a while. Pulled-pork jalapeño poppers, fried chicken, and mac and cheese shouldn’t be everyday foods, but sometimes you need to indulge. If you’re going to break your resolution, we’ve got 29 antiresolution recipes to make sure you do it right.
Greasy, Gooey Snacks
Detroit-Style Pan Pizza
[Photograph: J. Kenji López-Alt]
Long-beloved in Michigan, Detroit-style pizza has gone national in recent years. It’s made with a thick, chewy crust; tons of creamy brick cheese; and a sweet tomato sauce (in that order). Pepperoni is a classic addition, with some restaurants layering it on top to get crispy and others putting it under the cheese and sauce so the fat seeps into the crust. Since we’re going big right now, we put it on top and bottom.
Detroit-Style Pan Pizza Recipe »
Pulled Pork Jalapeño Poppers With Raspberry Sauce
[Photograph: Morgan Eisenberg]
I love jalapeño poppers, but if we’re really going to start the New Year off right, we’re going to need something a little more epic. These smoky poppers are stuffed with pulled pork and wrapped in bacon. We don’t deep-fry them, but given all the pork I’d say they’re still a far cry from health food.
Pulled Pork Jalapeño Poppers With Raspberry Sauce Recipe »
Cornbread-Coated Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese Wedges
[Photograph: Morgan Eisenberg]
Regular old deep-fried mac and cheese wedges don’t go far enough, either. We bring back the pulled pork in this recipe, layering it with the mac, coating it all in a cornbread batter, and frying until golden brown. Freezing the macaroni and pork is key to not making too much of a mess when it’s time to batter and fry.
Cornbread-Coated Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese Wedges Recipe »
Totchos (Tater Tot Nachos) With Cheese Sauce, Charred Tomato Salsa, Chorizo, and Pickled Jalapeños
[Photograph: J. Kenji López-Alt]
Our Ultimate Fully Loaded Nachos are already a gut-buster, but if you think tortilla chips are too boring, try using crispy tater tots instead. Our totchos aren’t just heavy, though; they’re also delicious, thanks to high-quality toppings like homemade charred-tomato salsa and cheese sauce, crisp chorizo, and fresh vegetables.
Pommes Aligot
[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]
Rich and fatty doesn’t have to mean junk food. Pommes aligot is a dish from south-central France that takes mashed potatoes and makes them more intense than you would have ever thought possible. That means using the standard cream and butter, but also melting in more than half-pound of Alpine cheeses (we like a mix of Swiss and Gruyère). You also want to overwork the potatoes to release extra starch, which in combination with the cheese makes for incredibly gooey results.
Saganaki With Walnut Vinaigrette (Greek Pan-Fried Cheese)
[Video: Serious Eats Video]
Flaming, pan-fried cheese is one of those things we vowed to eat slightly less of in the new year. But this Greek appetizer, composed of fried cheese topped with a toasted walnut vinaigrette, is simply irresistible. A bit of honey in the vinaigrette perfectly offsets the saltiness of the cheese.
Saganaki With Walnut Vinaigrette (Greek Pan-Fried Cheese) Recipe »
Broiled Lemony Potatoes With Halloumi Cheese
[Photographs: Vicky Wasik]
This easy one-skillet dish pairs two of our favorite foods: potatoes and cheese. Thin slices of olive oil–covered potatoes are broiled before halloumi cheese is added to the pan and broiled until golden brown. Lemon juice and zest brighten up and balance the rich and comforting dish.
Broiled Lemony Potatoes With Halloumi Cheese Recipe »
Cranberry-Jalapeño Baked Brie Dip
[Photograph: Morgan Eisenberg]
Gooey melted brie doesn’t need a lot of improvement—it’s pretty much perfect as is. But combined with a mixture of minced cranberries and a bit of jalapeño, it transforms into a bright and flavorful party favorite.
Cranberry-Jalapeño Baked Brie Dip Recipe »
Burgers and Sandwiches
Spinach and Artichoke Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]
We have no shortage of grilled cheese recipes, but right now one of my favorites is this version that mashes up the sandwich with spinach-artichoke dip. We start with a simple dip made by sautéing onion, frozen spinach, and canned artichoke hearts and mixing with homemade mayo. Then pair with creamy Drunken Goat cheese (Havarti is also a solid choice).
Spinach and Artichoke Grilled Cheese Sandwiches Recipe »
Cuban Sandwiches
[Photograph: J. Kenji López-Alt]
We make our Cuban sandwiches with three different kinds of pork: sweet ham, savory roast pork, and funky Genoa salami. That last ingredient might upset some Miami readers, but it’s a classic part of a Tampa-style Cuban. We pair the pork with Swiss cheese, dill pickles, and mustard on Cuban bread and cook it in a sandwich press or under a heavy skillet until all the ingredients meld together.
Rich and Creamy Croque Madames
[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]
The croque madame starts just like a croque monsieur: toasted brioche, ham, grated cheese, and Mornay sauce. Layered together and broiled, it’s already a serious brunch, but to take it one step further and turn it into a croque madame, top each sandwich with a runny fried egg before serving.
Rich and Creamy Croque Madames Recipe »
The McWhopper
[Photograph: J. Kenji López-Alt]
A fast food hamburger definitely doesn’t fit with health-conscious New Year’s resolutions, and our homemade Big Mac and Whopper recipes will both help you start the year off on a gluttonous note. Can’t decide which to make? Just split the difference by combining the flame-broiled Whopper patty with our reverse-engineered Big Mac sauce and onions (both fresh and dehydrated).
The Double Bacon Hamburger Fatty Melt
[Photograph: Robyn Lee]
Cardiologists, look away now. This burger takes decadence to a whole new level—not only do we use two quarter-pound patties and four slices of bacon, but to throw all sense of restraint out the window, we replace the buns with three grilled cheese sandwiches. Eat one of these in the next few days and you might not need to eat again for the rest of the month.
The Double Bacon Hamburger Fatty Melt Recipe »
Ultra-Smashed Brunch Burgers With Quick Jalapeño Hollandaise
[Photograph: Morgan Eisenberg]
Looking for a monster burger that you can feel okay about eating for breakfast? This brunch-friendly option tops crispy-edged smashed patties with oven-cooked bacon, fried eggs, avocado, and a spicy jalapeño Hollandaise. Toasted English muffins keep the breakfast theme going and soak up the runny yolk and sauce.
Ultra-Smashed Brunch Burgers With Quick Jalapeño Hollandaise Recipe »
Vegan Cheesesteak With Yuba (Tofu Skin) and Mushrooms
[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]
This meaty, melty, flavor-packed cheesesteak doesn’t actually have any cheese—or steak. Nevertheless, this vegan-friendly sandwich is one of our favorite ways to break salad-for-dinner resolutions. Thick sheets of yuba are smothered in an umami-packed mushroom broth before they’re tossed with caramelized onions and mushrooms. To serve, the mixture gets piled on a crusty roll and drenched in vegan cheese.
Vegan Cheesesteak With Yuba (Tofu Skin) and Mushrooms Recipe »
Meaty Mains
Ultra-Crispy Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder
[Photograph: J. Kenji López-Alt]
Pork shoulder is one of my top picks for a winter dinner party—it’s decadent, affordable, and super easy. All you have to do is season with salt and pepper, roast in a low oven until the meat practically starts to fall apart, and then max out the oven temperature to crisp up the skin.
Ultra-Crispy Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder Recipe »
The Food Lab’s Southern Fried Chicken
[Photograph: J. Kenji López-Alt]
The perfect fried chicken should have supermoist meat and an extracrunchy crust. We accomplish this by brining the chicken in buttermilk (which both tenderizes and seasons it) and mixing some brine into the flour coating to add surface area to the crust. We use a two-stage cooking technique—frying then baking—to ensure the chicken cooks evenly.
The Food Lab’s Southern Fried Chicken Recipe »
The Best Chicken Parmesan
[Photograph: J. Kenji López-Alt]
We borrow the buttermilk brine and breading technique from our fried chicken to make chicken Parmesan, but we give it a distinctly Italian-American flavor by adding Parmesan to the breading and serving the chicken with a slow-cooked red sauce, cubes of mozzarella, and more grated Parmesan. You can eat the chicken as is, but it’s even better on a party-sized sandwich.
The Best Chicken Parmesan Recipe »
Traditional French Cassoulet
[Photograph: J. Kenji López-Alt]
Like pommes aligot, cassoulet is a French classic that proves hearty, indulgent food doesn’t have to be junky. This superfilling stew is packed with poultry, sausage, pork, and beans—just what you need on a cold day. Cassoulet is typically made with duck, but we find that using chicken with a little duck fat gives you similar flavor for less money.
Traditional French Cassoulet Recipe »
Braised Lamb Shoulder With Dried Chilies and Dates
[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]
You weren’t planning to eat meat in January, but this braised lamb shoulder is too good to miss. All it takes is a few minutes of simple prep; then a Dutch oven does the rest. Smoky chilies and sweet dates perfectly balance the lamb’s richness. The tender meat is perfect in tacos or served over rice and beans.
Braised Lamb Shoulder With Dried Chilies and Dates Recipe »
Extra-Crispy Fried Chicken With Caramelized Honey and Spice
[Video: Natalie Holt]
This fried chicken is perfectly moist, with a crisp and craggy exterior. It’s brined in buttermilk and hot sauce, leaving it tender and seasoned to the bone. The finished chicken gets drizzled with toasted-honey butter before it’s dusted with a hot-spice blend.
Extra-Crispy Fried Chicken With Caramelized Honey and Spice Recipe »
Pork Schnitzel (Breaded and Fried Pork Cutlet)
[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]
There are very few things that pair better with a pint of beer than a crisp, breaded fried cutlet. That’s where this pork schnitzel comes in. Though classic Viennese schnitzel is made with thinly pounded veal, pork is more accessible for most of us in the US, and it’s just as tasty. To cut through the richness of the fried pork, we like to serve this dish alongside a helping of bright Coleslaw With Creamy Chili Vinaigrette and a hop-heavy brew.
Pork Schnitzel (Breaded and Fried Pork Cutlet) Recipe »
Cheesy Pastas and Casseroles
Tater Tot Casserole
[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]
If you’re from certain parts of the Midwest, Tater Tot hotdish probably has a special place in your heart. It’s typically made with ground beef, canned or frozen vegetables, condensed soup, and frozen Tater Tots. We upgrade our version by replacing the condensed soup with a mushroom béchamel, but keep the frozen tots because it’s hard to outdo Ore-Ida.
The Best Creamy Chicken Enchiladas
[Photograph: J. Kenji López-Alt]
Both creamy, satisfying, and a little more sophisticated than the typical enchilada casserole, this dish is made with a simple charred poblano salsa, simmered chicken, pepper-jack cheese, and Mexican crema. Even though we don’t go too heavy on the cheese, this is still a rib-sticking dish.
The Best Creamy Chicken Enchiladas Recipe »
French Onion Strata
[Photograph: Emily and Matt Clifton]
The name strata sounds fancy, but at its heart it’s just a savory bread pudding. This hearty strata gets the flavors of a bowl of French onion soup from caramelized onions and grated Gruyère. To speed up the recipe, we use quick-caramelized onions with a little sugar added—the flavor isn’t quite the same as slow-caramelized onions, but you can get most of the way there in significantly less time.
The Food Lab’s Ultra-Gooey Stovetop Mac and Cheese
[Photograph: J. Kenji López-Alt]
This mac and cheese is better than the blue box and not much more work to make—you just need a mixture of melting cheeses, a few thickeners and binders (cornstarch, evaporated milk, and eggs), and hot sauce. It all comes together in 15 minutes, but if that sounds like too much work, then check out our three-ingredient recipe, which is even easier than boxed macaroni.
The Food Lab’s Ultra-Gooey Stovetop Mac and Cheese Recipe »
Crispy Baked Pasta With Mushrooms, Sausage, and Parmesan Cream Sauce
[Photograph: J. Kenji López-Alt]
This comforting baked pasta is a little more time- and labor-intensive than mac and cheese, but it still only takes about a half-hour. Mushrooms sautéed in rendered sausage fat add flavor and a meaty bite; soy sauce and lemon juice make the dish super savory; and a cheesy cream sauce brings the richness. Top with a layer of breadcrumbs for a crunchy finish.
Crispy Baked Pasta With Mushrooms, Sausage, and Parmesan Cream Sauce Recipe »
American Chop Suey (Macaroni, Beef, and Cheese Skillet Casserole)
[Photograph: J. Kenji López-Alt]
This casserole has a variety of names across the country—where I grew up in Indiana we called it chili mac—but by any name it’s a delicious piece of Americana. The dish is always made with pasta, ground beef, tomato sauce, and cheese. Our recipe adds green peppers, onions, and a couple tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce (a classic addition in New England).
American Chop Suey (Macaroni, Beef, and Cheese Skillet Casserole) Recipe »
Baked Ziti With Two Mozzarellas and Parmesan Cream Sauce
[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]
At its best, baked ziti should be rich and creamy, but all too often low-quality supermarket ricotta makes it bland and grainy. It’s a little easier than it used to be to find good ricotta, but we still get rid of it altogether and use a Parmesan cream sauce instead, plus low-moisture mozzarella mixed in with the pasta and fresh mozzarella melted on top.
Baked Ziti With Two Mozzarellas and Parmesan Cream Sauce Recipe »
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