The Chopped Judges' Best Recipes

Channel the Chopped judges at home with this collection of their top recipes.

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Chris' Twice-Cooked Eggplant with Cilantro-Sesame Pesto

"When people say that they don't like eggplant, I tell them they just haven't tried my eggplant," says Chris Santos. Eggplant chunks are first roasted for a lightly caramelized flavor, then finished in a wok with a myriad of Asian flavors. "Dark purple globe eggplant works well here, but the narrow Japanese variety is my preference because it is sweeter," he adds.

Get the Recipe: Twice-Cooked Eggplant with Cilantro-Sesame Pesto

Chris' Black-Bottomed Butterscotch Pots de Creme

These layered butterscotch desserts feature a hidden chocolate base and an unexpected coconut-infused whipped cream topping. Make sure you instruct your guests to really dig down into the bottom of their glasses, as the best bites include all three elements. The butterscotch layer is thickened with egg yolks only, so be patient when cooking, as it takes time for the mixture to reach the thickening point.

Get the Recipe: Black-Bottomed Butterscotch Pots de Creme

Chris' Deconstructed Mexican Style Corn

The tangy flavor of this classic Mexican side plays beautifully with any spicy dish.

Get the Recipe: Deconstructed Mexican Style Corn

Chris' Rigatoni with Merguez, Ricotta Salata, and Brown Butter

Chris' favorite pasta dish is a spicy mixture of harissa-laced merguez sausage, crumbly ricotta salata, fresh herbs and just enough nutty brown butter sauce to moisten everything.

Get the Recipe: Rigatoni with Merguez, Ricotta Salata, and Brown Butter

Scott's Pizzeria-Style Garlic Knots

One of the best parts of dining in a pizzeria is the buttery garlic knots made with leftover pizza dough. Scott teaches you how to make them any night of the week.

Get the Recipe: Easy Garlic Knots

Scott's BLT Skewers with Green Goddess Dip

Scott takes the classic sandwich and makes it cocktail-party friendly. A herb-packed dipping sauce make this a perfect option for a spring gathering.

Get the Recipe: BLT Skewers

Scott's Pastiera (Italian Cheesecake)

The Italian cheesecake from the Contant family archives uses ricotta cheese for a light, luscious texture.

Get the Recipe: Pastiera

Alex's Eggplant Parmigiana

Layers of creamy, tangy cheese, a touch of spice and fresh basil make this one of the best eggplant parmigianas you've ever tasted.

Get the Recipe: Eggplant Parmigiana

Alex's Chicken Almost-Cacciatore

Alex braises chicken thighs and legs inside a fragrant tomato sauce with a kiss of ginger, cumin and red pepper flakes.

Get the Recipe: Braised Chicken Thighs and Legs with Tomato

Alex's Homemade Cannoli

Alex is serious about cannoli and it shows. This recipe produces a thin, crisp-shelled pastry filled with a light and creamy chocolate chip-speckled filling.

Get the Recipe: Homemade Cannoli

GZ's Ricotta Gnocchi

Airy and fluffy, Geoffrey Zakarian's ricotta-laced gnocchi can be prepped one day, then frozen for up to two weeks before they're cooked. Geoffrey opts to toss these impressive beauties with a pancetta-studded tomato sauce, but you can use whichever sauce is your favorite.

Get the Recipe: Ricotta Gnocchi

GZ's Pasta Pomodoro for Two

This easy weeknight pasta comes together with ingredients you probably have on hand, but don't skip the fresh basil to bring it all together

Get the Recipe: Pasta Pomodoro for Two

GZ's Italian Chicken Pasta Salad

Leave it to an Iron Chef to make a simple thing like pasta salad extraordinary. Fresh vegetables, rotisserie chicken and spicy salami play beautifully with the salty cheese and vinegary dressing.

Get the Recipe: Italian Chicken Pasta Salad

GZ's Sweet Potato and Corn Chowder

A touch of yellow curry adds just the right amount of spice to this easy, comforting chowder. The only thing you will regret about this dish is not doubling the recipe.

Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Corn Chowder

Amanda's Sweet Hot Fried Chicken and Waffles

The spice-infused maple syrup brings everything together in this showstopping brunch dish.

Get the Recipe: Sweet Hot Fried Chicken and Waffles

French Onion Soup with Bagel Bread Pudding Croutons

There's not much more anyone could do to improve classic French onion soup that's loaded with caramelized onions and nutty Gruyère cheese. But Amanda recommends one mouthwatering adjustment: Instead of topping each bowl with a toasted baguette, use a scoop of everything-bagel bread pudding.

Get the Recipe: French Onion Soup with Bagel Bread Pudding Croutons

Amanda's Pulled Pork Sandwich with BBQ Sauce and Coleslaw

If you want to make the most-amazing pulled pork sandwich at home follow this recipe.

Get the Recipe: Pulled Pork Sandwich with BBQ Sauce and Coleslaw

Upgraded Chicken-Fried Steak

Amanda adds a pickled tomato salad to her slightly spicy chicken fried steak to add a touch of freshness to the otherwise heavy dish.

Get the Recipe: Upgraded Chicken-Fried Steak

"Pork on Pork" Chops

Amanda tops seared double-cut pork chops with herb-blended pancetta mix for the ultimate savory bite.

Get the Recipe: "Pork on Pork" Chops

Amanda's Summer Zucchini and Tomato Panzanella Salad

This simple summer salad lets the flavors of the fresh zucchini, tomatoes and herbs shine through. Crunchy croutons add the perfect bite.

Get the Recipe: Summer Zucchini and Tomato Panzanella Salad

Marc's White Wine-Steamed Clams

There is nothing easier on a hot summer day than a big plate of steamed clams.

Get the Recipe: White Wine-Steamed Clams

Marc's Croque Monsieur

A croque monsieur is an elevated grilled ham and cheese sandwich. Marc's favorite version is topped with a creamy Gruyere bechamel sauce.

Get the Recipe: Croque Monsieur

Marc's Millionaire Shortbread Cookies

Chocolate ganache flecked with sea salt covers a sweet cookie butter layer which sits on top of buttery shortbread in these uber rich bars.

Get the Recipe: Millionaire Shortbread Cookies

Garlic Naan

Maneet elevates store-bought naan with a spiced garlic butter and grated Parmesan cheese.

Get the Recipe: Garlic Naan

Maneet's Naanzanella Salad

Dress up a classic Panzanella salad by using Naan bread — an Indian-style flatbread — instead of the usual rustic Italian loaf! Maneet tosses hers with a lemony yogurt and an herby chutney for a burst of tang.

Get the Recipe: Naanzanella Salad