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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    19 Quick and Elegant Gourmet Dinners for Busy Cooks

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on October 8, 2024, updated October 7, 2024 - Leave a Comment

    If you're a busy cook looking to whip up quick and elegant dinners, you're in the right place. This collection of 19 gourmet meal ideas will help you create impressive dishes without spending hours in the kitchen. From simple yet sophisticated recipes to flavorful combinations, these dinner ideas are perfect for those who want to enjoy a delicious meal without the fuss.

    Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta

    Cherry tomato pasta.
    Photo credit: It's Not Complicated Recipes.

    Just roast the tomatoes, mix with pasta, and enjoy a flavorful meal without much fuss.

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    Gorgonzola Mac and Cheese

    Gorgonzola mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    In this recipe, you'll find a deliciously cheesy mac and cheese that's simple to make - no pre-cooking needed. With a blend of mozzarella and gorgonzola, it's a quick and elegant dish perfect for busy cooks.

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    Smoked Italian Pasta Salad

    Smoked Italian Pasta Salad with Pepperoncini Dressing.
    Photo credit: xoxoBella.

    This smoked Italian pasta salad is a tasty upgrade to your usual pasta salad, adding a flavorful smoky touch that's sure to impress.

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    Marry Me Chicken Pasta

    Marry me chicken pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    In just 20 minutes, you can make this delicious Marry Me Chicken Pasta that's creamy and full of flavor. Made with everyday pantry staples like dried herbs, crème fraîche, and sun-dried tomatoes, it's perfect for busy evenings.

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    Warm Vegan Pasta Salad

    Warm Vegan Pasta Salad.
    Photo credit: Healing Tomato.

    In a rush and need a fancy meal? Try this speedy cauliflower gnocchi salad recipe that's ready in just 10 minutes.

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    Air Fryer Steak Bites

    Air Fryer Steak Bites.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Whip up a flavorful batch of air fryer steak bites in only 10 minutes. Marinated in lemon juice, soy sauce, honey, and herbs, these tender bites are perfect for a quick and delicious family meal.

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    Tandoori Pasta

    Tandoori Pasta.
    Photo credit: My Vegan Minimalist.

    When you're short on time but craving something fancy, whip up this delicious tandoori pasta. It's a speedy meal that feels like a warm hug on a busy day.

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    One Pan Fish & Broccoli in Lemon Butter Caper Sauce

    A skillet full of fish and broccoli in lemon caper sauce.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Looking for a quick and fancy dinner to make? Try this delicious dish with lemon butter caper sauce that perfectly elevates the fish and broccoli. It's easy to make and requires only one pan!

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    Mediterranean Pizza Pasta Salad

    Mediterranean Pizza Pasta Salad.
    Photo credit: A Taste For Travel.

    Here's a tasty twist on pasta salad - a pizza pasta salad recipe! Packed with pepperoni, veggies, and a flavorful vinaigrette, it's a quick and delicious dish to whip up.

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    Air Fryer Shrimp

    A bowl of air fryer shrimp.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Create a tasty meal in minutes by cooking frozen shrimp in the air fryer with garlic, paprika, and fresh parsley. Pair them with a salad or your preferred sauces and sides for a fast and delicious dinner.

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    Sheet Pan Portobello Fajitas

    Tacos on a plate.
    Photo credit: My Pure Plants.

    In this recipe, you'll find vegan fajitas filled with bell peppers, onions, and portobello mushrooms, along with guacamole, salsa, black beans, and vegan sour cream. They're simple to make and vanish quickly!

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    Massaman Chicken Curry

    A bowl of massaman chicken curry.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    In need of a fast and kinda fancy dinner? Try this Massaman Chicken Curry - a simple one-pot dish with curry paste, coconut milk, chicken, potatoes, and peanuts. It's creamy, slightly sweet, and just a bit spicy.

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    Air Fryer Steak Tips

    Air Fryer Steak Tips.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    In just 10 minutes, cook delicious Air Fryer Steak Tips dish with basic seasonings you likely already have on hand. It's a fast, tasty meal for busy nights when you don't want to spend too much time in the kitchen.

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    Easy Chickpea Tacos

    Easy Chickpea Tacos Recipe
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    In need of a quick and fancy dinner? Try these Vegan Chickpea Tacos. They're easy to make and full of delicious taco flavors, topped with a tangy Cilantro Lime Slaw that your family will love.

    Get the recipe

    Thin Basil Chicken Breasts

    Thin Basil Chicken Breasts.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Create a tasty dinner quickly by air frying thin chicken breasts seasoned with garlic and basil. It's a flavorful meal that cooks in just 6 minutes.

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    Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin

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

    In need of a quick and fancy dinner idea? Try this delicious pork tenderloin cooked with apples in a slow cooker. It's a cozy dish made with sweet onions, granny smith apples, and a homemade maple pan gravy.

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    Air Fryer Dumplings

    A dumpling picked up with chop sticks.
    Photo credit: alwaysusebutter.com.

    Create a fast and delicious appetizer or meal by cooking Air Fryer Dumplings in just 10 minutes. These dumplings come out perfectly cooked and slightly crispy, ideal for dipping in your preferred sauce.

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    Air Fryer Salmon

    Air Fryer Salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Cook a delicious skin-on salmon in just 20 minutes with the help of your air fryer. Seasoned with tangy lemon juice and lemon pepper, this dish is full of flavor and great for any night of the week.

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    Chicken Mushroom Stroganoff

    Chicken and mushroom stroganoff with sour cream in a sour cream sauce.
    Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons.

    In just 30 minutes, you can enjoy a delicious Chicken Mushroom Stroganoff that's creamy, savory, and inspired by Eastern European flavors. This easy recipe is perfect for a satisfying and comforting dinner that's all done without spending hours in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Antipasti pasta salad.
      21 Vibrant Summer Salads That Are Perfect for Dinner
    • Sheet pan chicken fajitas.
      28 Dump-And-Bake Recipes That Will Feed a Crowd
    • Lemongrass grilled chicken.
      Memorial Day BBQ: 24 Recipes That Will Make You the Grill Master
    • Feta stuffed chicken.
      19 Simple Sunday Night Dinners Your Whole Family Will Love

    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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