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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    17 Easy Recipes That Taste Like You Spent Hours in the Kitchen

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on October 13, 2024, updated October 10, 2024 - Leave a Comment

    Cooking can be a lot of fun, but sometimes you want to impress without spending all day in the kitchen. These 17 easy recipes are perfect for those moments when you want to serve something that feels special but doesn’t require hours of prep. With simple ingredients and quick steps, you can create delicious meals that will have everyone thinking you spent a lot more time on them.

    Wild Mushroom Risotto

    Wild Mushroom Risotto.
    Photo credit: Coley Cooks.

    This wild mushroom risotto is easy to make, tasty, and can be ready in less than an hour.

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    Baked Parmesan Crusted Chicken

    Baked parmesan crusted chicken.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    Parmesan-crusted chicken is a simple and tasty meal that everyone will love. This cheesy and crispy dish is great for dipping and can be made in under 30 minutes!

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    Avocado Mango Salad

    Avocado mango salad.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This salsa goes great with salmon tacos and works well with any grilled meat. It brings a tasty boost to your meal!

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    Grilled Pork Tenderloin With Apples And Sage

    Grilled Pork Tenderloin With Apples And Sage
    Photo Credit: Just a Little Bit of Bacon.

    This simple grilled pork tenderloin is a great choice for a tasty meal. The juicy pork pairs wonderfully with grilled apple slices and fresh sage.

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    Creamy Rice

    Creamy rice.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This creamy rice dish stands out with its rich flavor from butter and chicken stock, making it a go-to favorite. It's an easy and subtle way to elevate your whole meal!

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    Short Rib Chili

    Short Rib Chili
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie Blog.

    Beef short rib chili is a hearty meal that's simple to make and simmers for a deep, satisfying flavor. Loaded with beans, vegetables, and tender beef, it's great for a cozy dinner.

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    Arugula Salad with Honey Lemon Vinaigrette

    Arugula salad.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This salad pairs well with any main dish, such as salmon or steak, thanks to its blend of sweet, salty, and tangy flavors. It's a tasty and flexible side that enhances your meal beautifully.

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    Grilled Salmon with Sour Cream

    Grilled Salmon with Sour Cream
    Photo Credit: Girl Gone Gourmet.

    This salmon dish comes together in just 20 minutes and tastes like it’s from a fancy restaurant. The sauce made with sour cream and thyme is quick to prepare, making it a simple yet delicious choice for dinner.

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    Boiled Artichokes

    Boiled artichoke.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Boiling artichokes is an easy and delicious way to prepare them. Enjoy them with some whipped butter for a nice treat.

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    Flat Iron Steak with Creamy Peruvian Green Sauce (Aji Verde)

    Flat Iron Steak with Creamy Peruvian Green Sauce (Aji Verde)
    Photo Credit: Foodess.

    Grilling a flat iron steak brings out its juicy flavor and makes for a satisfying meal. Pair it with a bright and tangy Peruvian green sauce called Aji Verde for an extra kick.

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    Lemon Meringue Tart

    Lemon Meringue Tart.
    Photo credit: Spatula Desserts.

    This lemon meringue tart is a delightful twist on the classic lemon meringue pie, served in individual portions. It combines sweet and tangy flavors, finished off with a touch of chocolate on top.

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    Crispy Cauliflower Fritters

    Cauliflower patties.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    This dish is flavorful and healthy, making it perfect as a side or main meal. It's a great way to enjoy more vegetables while still satisfying your appetite.

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    Apple Risotto with Marcona Almonds

    Apple risotto.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This is a delicious dish that you can whip up in just 35 minutes, packed with the flavor of fresh apples. It's great as a side or a filling meal, especially when you add some crunchy Marcona almonds on top.

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    Duck With Orange Sauce

    Duck Breasts with Orange Sauce
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    This is a simple yet very impressive dish that brings together tangy and sweet flavors. It's perfect for any occasion, and even if you're new to cooking duck you'll find this recipe easy to follow.

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    Mashed Potatoes Without Milk

    Mashed Potatoes Without Milk
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    These mashed potatoes are creamy and flavorful, thanks to a generous amount of butter. They come together in under 30 minutes, making them an ideal side dish that everyone will love.

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    Chicken and Spinach Enchiladas Verdes

    Chicken and Spinach Enchiladas Verdes
    Photo Credit: Bowl of Delicious.

    This dish showcases tender chicken marinated in a zesty jalapeño garlic sauce and cooked to a nice golden brown. The enchiladas are packed with fresh spinach, adding a delicious twist to the meal.

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    Baked Lamb Chops & Veggies

    Baked lamb chops with veggies.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sheet pan meal makes it simple to enjoy lamb without the stress of overcooking. The lamb chops cook in the flavorful juices from the vegetables, resulting in tender meat that's delicious.

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    More Recipe Roundups

    • Cauliflower potato bake,
      26 Vegetable Loaded Casseroles That Will Change Your Dinner Game
    • Lasagna.
      22 Dump-and-Bake Dinners That Will Revolutionize Your Weeknight Meals
    • A veggie casserole.
      21 Vegetarian Casseroles That Will Change Your Dinner Game
    • Instant Pot French Onion Soup.
      18 Elegant Lunch Ideas to Impress Mom This Mother’s Day

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has more than 20 years of 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, Daily Kos, The Grio, The Asian Parent, 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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