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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    17 Impressive Gourmet Meals That Don't Require Culinary School

    By Emmeline Kemperyd updated January 20, 2026 · Published February 7, 2026 · Leave a Comment

    If you're looking to impress your friends and family with some delicious meals that are easy to make but still feel fancy, you're in the right place. These gourmet dinners will have you feeling like a pro chef in no time. From flavorful pastas to juicy steaks, these recipes are sure to elevate your home cooking game.

    Instant Pot Bolognese

    A bowl of instant pot bolognese served over pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Cook up a gourmet dinner with this Instant Pot bolognese! This recipe transforms the classic rich and hearty pasta sauce into a quick meal using simple staples.

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    Air Fryer T-Bone Steak with Homemade Garlic Butter

    T-bone steak with garlic butter.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    Whip up gourmet-style T-bone steaks in your air fryer for a quick and easy meal. Pair them with homemade garlic butter or your favorite sauce for a satisfying dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Zucchini Noodles with Tomatoes & Halloumi

    Zucchini and cherry tomato bowl.
    Photo credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    This dish is a tasty and nutritious meal featuring halloumi and cherry tomatoes for a gourmet touch.

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    Shrimp Scampi Without Wine

    Shrimp scampi.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Create a delicious Shrimp Scampi dish in only 10 minutes without using any wine. The blend of garlic, lemon, chili, and parsley will fill your kitchen with incredible aromas.

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    Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin

    Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin.
    Photo credit: Scarlati Family Kitchen.

    This pork tenderloin dish cooked in a slow cooker with apples, sweet onions, and a homemade maple pan gravy is a simple yet gourmet dinner option that will make you feel like a chef.

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    Spicy Vodka Pasta

    spicy vodka pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Vodka Pasta is packed with flavor - spicy, creamy, and absolutely delicious. And you can whip it up without any vodka too!

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    Slow Cooker Lamb With Garlic & Rosemary

    Slow Cooker Lamb With Garlic & Rosemary.
    Photo credit: Baking Queen 74.

    When you cook a leg of lamb in the slow cooker, it ends up incredibly tender and flavorful, especially when seasoned with garlic and rosemary. It's a delicious dish that will impress your guests and make you feel like a chef.

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    Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos

    Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    This dish is a crowd-pleaser that combines buffalo cauliflower, avocado, blue cheese sauce, and cilantro in tasty tacos. You can whip up these gourmet tacos in just 40 minutes using the oven or air fryer.

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    Lamb Burgers with Tahini Sauce

    A plate with salad, a lamb burger, and dressing.
    Photo credit: FODMAP Everyday.

    In this gourmet dinner, a lamb burger is infused with Mediterranean flavors like oregano, mint, dill, parsley, feta, and cumin. The tahini sauce adds the perfect finishing touch to elevate this dish.

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    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole

    Cheesy Tortellini Casserole
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is simple, cheesy, and incredibly tasty - perfect for a cozy meal at home.

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    Salmon Stew

    A bowl of salmon stew.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Salmon Stew is full of flavor and a bit of spice, ready in under 30 minutes. Made with everyday ingredients and simple steps, it's a go-to dish for any fish lover.

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    Vermicelli di Positano

    Vermicelli di Positano.
    Photo credit: The Pasta Project.

    Simply cook the pasta and mix it with marinated vegetables and herbs for a delicious meal.

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    Black Bean Tacos with Feta Cheese & Pico de Gallo

    Vegetarian Tacos with Black Beans, Feta Cheese & Pico de Gallo
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    These Vegetarian Tacos are packed with flavorful refried black beans, crumbled feta cheese, and topped with fresh pico de gallo. A simple and delicious recipe that will leave you wanting seconds!

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    Steak Bites

    Air fryer steak bites.
    Photo credit: Sarah Cook

    In just a few minutes, you can whip up these flavorful and simple steak bites that will make you feel like a pro chef. They're a great option for quick and delicious dinners.

    Get the recipe

    Sun-dried Tomato Chicken Pasta

    A skillet of pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta dish is bursting with flavor, thanks to sun-dried tomatoes and dried herbs, making it a simple yet gourmet dinner option.

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    Easy Chickpea Tacos

    Easy Chickpea Tacos Recipe
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    These Vegan Chickpea Tacos are a simple and tasty meal option. They are seasoned with traditional taco flavors, and the addition of Cilantro Lime Slaw gives them a fresh and zesty kick that everyone will enjoy.

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    Instant Pot French Onion Soup

    Instant Pot French Onion Soup.
    Photo credit: The Foreign Fork.

    This updated French Onion Soup recipe is a breeze to make using the Instant Pot. It's finished off with a layer of French Baguette and gooey gruyere cheese on top.

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      24 Easy Crock Pot Chicken Recipes
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      36 Simple Super Bowl Recipes for Effortless Entertaining
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      Why Salmon and Bacon Together Is Pure Genius

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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