Because making dinner is something you do every day, it can quickly become an unwelcome chore. You may end up rotating through the same set of recipes every few weeks because of limited time and interest. However, cooking a fun, fancy meal doesn’t have to take three hours of your day.
Use this list of seven delicious and easy recipes to elevate your dinner table with food sure to please the entire family. These meals are easy to make and don’t take much time to prepare. They combine classic flavors with a modern twist that will have you and your family looking forward to dinner all day long.
Creamy Spinach Stuffed Salmon
This delicious meal looks like it came from a five-star restaurant. However, it only takes 25 minutes from start to finish and uses very few ingredients. To make this dish, you’ll need to whip up some simple spinach dip. Next, you’ll slit salmon fillets and stuff them with creamy goodness.
The salmon gets seasoned with lemon juice, olive oil, and salt and pepper before being gently cooked in a hot skillet. If you’d prefer to bake the salmon, this recipe includes instructions for that too. You can serve this dish warm with a side of asparagus or over a bed of spinach.
Chicken Picatta
If you love chicken in a creamy sauce, this meal is ideal for you. Ready in just over 30 minutes, this meal looks and tastes fancy but requires very little prep work. To make this recipe, you start by dredging the chicken in salt, pepper, and flour.
Next, you sear and cook it for about ten minutes. Create a sauce in the browned pan with white wine and lemon juice, letting it simmer until it thickens. Then, add capers and chicken. You can add lemon slices to the sauce for a beautiful finish and serve the finished meal with bread.
Beef Bourguignon Stew
This beef bourguignon recipe is perfect for families that enjoy hearty meals. It takes only 20 minutes of prep in the morning and then cooks for nine hours to achieve a meal rich in flavorful goodness. You start by cooking the bacon and searing the beef before transferring them to the slow cooker.
With flour, red wine, chicken broth, and other ingredients build a sauce in the skillet. Then, add chopped vegetables and the finished sauce to the slow cooker. Set it to low, and then go about your day worry-free. You can serve this stew with bread or a side of potatoes.
Lobster Grilled Cheese
Are you looking for a fancy take on an easy comfort meal? Look no further. This delicious lobster grilled cheese recipe will get every member of your family excited. Total prep time is about 20 minutes, and clean-up is easy. The first step is to cook and chop lobster, or you can buy it pre-cooked to save time.
Construct a grilled cheese as usual by buttering the bread and layering the sandwiches with your favorite cheese. Then, add chopped lobster and sandwich the two pieces of bread. Cook over medium heat in a greased pan for 3-5 minutes on each side. You can serve this meal with a side salad or a warm bowl of tomato soup.
Cornish Hens Sheet Pan
There’s something so fancy about the phrase “cornish hens.” While this meal looks fabulous, it only takes 15 minutes to prep and is ready to eat after just over an hour. To create this dish, start by seasoning the hens with garlic and rosemary. Tie the legs together to keep the juice inside.
Next, chop Brussel sprouts, squash, and potatoes and coat them with olive oil. Spread them on a sheet pan and season with more rosemary and garlic. Lay the Cornish hens on top and roast for 50-55 minutes under the chicken is done, and the veggies are golden brown.
One-pot Penne Pasta
Plain pasta is often the go-to on nights when you’re too busy or tired to cook. However, you can elevate your regular “easy meal” by following this superb one-pot penne pasta recipe with turkey and spinach. It’s ready to eat in 30 minutes and is healthy to boot.
Start this meal by seasoning and cooking the turkey. Next, cook the veggies for a few minutes with the meat. Add canned tomatoes, spices, pasta, and chicken broth. Simmer for about ten minutes until the pasta is cooked, and then fold in cream and spinach. This meal can be served alone or with a warm side of bread and butter.
Slow-Cooker Vegetarian Chili
What could be better on rainy days than a warm bowl of chili? Spend 20 minutes prepping this hearty vegetarian meal in the morning, and then forget about cooking for the rest of the day. By evening, this meal will be ready to feed your hungry family and only require you to wash one dish.
Putting this dinner together couldn’t be easier. You combine spices, tomatoes, beans, sweet potatoes, and a cup of water in your slow cooker. Leave on low for 7-8 hours until the ingredients have cooked through and the spices have blended. Serve with sour cream and tortilla chips for a well-rounded meal.
Ready in a Jiffy
Serving a fancy dinner at home doesn’t require hours of work. You can surprise and delight your family with these seven easy recipes for fancy dinners. None of these meals take longer than 30 minutes to prep, and they’re all ready to eat in 30 minutes to an hour.
Cooking is supposed to be fun, not a burdensome chore. Use these recipes to take your dinner game to the next level while saving yourself time and energy on meal prep. Your family will appreciate the variety, and you’ll find yourself having fun cooking again.
In addition to these mouth-watering recipes, if you’re looking to expand your seafood repertoire, why not try cooking with snapper? Known for its mild flavor and versatility, snapper can be a delightful addition to your family meals. From grilling to baking, there are numerous ways to prepare this fish that can bring a touch of elegance to your dining table. For some creative and easy-to-follow snapper cooking tips, be sure to explore this comprehensive guide.
