Name: Crumb Crust
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 1 1/4 hr
Yield: Makes enough for a 9- to 9 1/2-inch pie
Ingredients: 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus additional for greasing; 1 1/2 cups cookie crumbs (10 graham crackers or 24 small gingersnaps; about 6 oz); 2 tablespoons sugar; 1/8 teaspoon salt; a 9- to 9 1/2-inch pie plate (4-cup capacity)

Sweet crackers and cookies easily transform into delicious piecrusts. Be sure to use gingersnaps for the pumpkin ginger cheesecake pie and graham crackers for the chocolate s'more pie .

Cook's notes:

• To make cookie crumbs, break up crackers or cookies into small pieces, then pulse in a food processor until finely ground. • For pumpkin ginger cheesecake pie, use 4 (not 5) tablespoons melted butter plus additional for greasing.

Recipe notes

Caramelized Onion Pasta

Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.

Béchamel Sauce

This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.

Butternut Squash–Kale Salad With Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette

Round out these autumn greens with tart pomegranate seeds, crunchy pepitas, and a shower of Parmesan.

London Fog Brownies

Yes, brownies can—and should—be made with white chocolate.

Mascarpone Cheesecake

An extra-silky filling (no water bath needed!) and a smooth sour cream topping make this the ultimate cheesecake.

Crème Anglaise

The silky French vanilla sauce that goes with everything.

Classic French Bouillabaisse With Rouille

This flexible recipe is all you need to bring this iconic Provençal seafood stew to your table.

Our Favorite French Onion Soup

Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.