• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
always use butter
  • Recipes
  • Air Fryer Resources
  • Subscribe!
  • About
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Air Fryer Resources
  • Subscribe!
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Air Fryer Resources
    • Subscribe!
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipe Roundups

    23 Quick Gourmet Dishes That Look Like a Million Bucks

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on June 21, 2024, updated November 27, 2024 - Leave a Comment

    Creating gourmet dishes at home can be easier than you think, and you don’t need to spend a fortune to impress your guests. With just a few simple ingredients and some clever techniques, you can whip up stunning meals that look and feel luxurious. These 23 quick recipes will help you bring a touch of elegance to your dining table without the hassle.

    Nduja Pasta

    Nduja Pasta.
    Photo credit: This Italian Kitchen.

    Nduja Pasta is a flavorful and easy dish that brings a taste of Italy to your table. With spicy nduja, a spreadable salami, this meal is both hearty and quick to prepare.

    Save This Recipe Form

    Want to save this recipe?

    Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get more great recipes from us each week!

    Get the recipe

    Salmon Fish Cakes

    Salmon fish cakes with sauce.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Crispy salmon fish cakes are easy to whip up and look impressive on the plate. With a quick shallow fry, they turn out crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Gochujang Pasta

    Creamy Gochujang Pasta.
    Photo credit: Dished by Kate.

    This creamy gochujang pasta is quick to prepare in just 15 minutes. It's a simple and tasty dish that offers a unique twist on traditional pasta alla vodka.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken

    15-Minute Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken served over pasta.
    Photo Credit: Cuisine & Travel.

    This chicken dinner is perfect for a quick weeknight meal, and it's juicy and full of flavor. It's a simple dish that looks impressive on the table.

    Get the recipe

    Grilled Fish Tacos with Mango Salsa

    Fish tacos.
    Photo credit: Sweet Tea and Thyme.

    These gourmet grilled fish tacos with homemade mango salsa are a great way to change up your dinner routine. The juicy fish paired with the tangy mango salsa creates a tasty combination that's quick to prepare, making it ideal for busy nights.

    Get the recipe

    Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

    Garlic butter shrimp pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta comes together in just 20 minutes, featuring tender shrimp, al dente pasta, and a rich garlic butter sauce. It's a simple yet delicious meal that everyone will love.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets

    Air fried chicken cutlets.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air fryer chicken cutlets are a great option for a quick and tasty dinner. They're crispy and juicy, and you'll find yourself making them often.

    Get the recipe

    Shrimp Scampi Without Wine

    Shrimp scampi.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Shrimp Scampi can be ready in under 10 minutes and doesn't require any wine. The combination of garlic, lemon, chili, and parsley will make your kitchen smell amazing.

    Get the recipe

    Spicy Vodka Pasta

    spicy vodka pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Vodka Pasta is full of flavor with a nice kick and creamy texture. It's a fancy-looking dinner that's quick to prepare, taking just 20 minutes or less.

    Get the recipe

    Salmon Stir-fry

    Salmon stir-fry.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This stir-fry is loaded with fresh vegetables and has a nice citrus kick. It's great on its own or served with rice.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Pesto Pasta

    Creamy pesto pasta topped with cherry tomatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Creamy pesto pasta is a simple dinner that comes together in just 10 minutes. With only three ingredients, the mix of fresh pesto and Greek yogurt makes for a satisfying meal.

    Get the recipe

    Pesto Salmon

    Pesto salmon on a serving platter.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Pesto Salmon is a quick and delicious meal that you can prepare in a flash. Baked with Greek yogurt and pesto, this dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something tasty without a lot of work.

    Get the recipe

    Tortellini Carbonara

    Tortellini carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This fancy-looking gourmet dinner can be prepared quickly with just a few simple ingredients. It's perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself without spending hours in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Shrimp Curry

    Shrimp curry in a skillet.
    Photo credit: alwaysusebutter.com.

    Shrimp Curry with Thai red curry paste and coconut milk is a quick and delicious dinner that looks impressive but is easy to prepare in under 20 minutes. It's a great option for a simple yet gourmet meal any day of the week.

    Get the recipe

    Sun-dried Tomato Chicken Pasta

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

    This pasta dish is full of flavor from sun-dried tomatoes and herbs, making it a delicious choice for dinner. It uses simple ingredients, so you can whip it up without much effort.

    Get the recipe

    Quick and Easy Salmon Burger Recipe

    Quick and Easy Salmon Burger Recipe
    Photo credit: Midwest foodie.

    In just 20 minutes, you can prepare a tasty salmon burger using leftover roasted salmon, fresh herbs, and zesty lemon. This is a simple and elegant dinner option that lets you enjoy a healthy fish dish with minimal effort.

    Get the recipe

    Halloumi Pasta Primavera

    Halloumi pasta primavera.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    In just 20 minutes, you can prepare a delicious vegetarian halloumi pasta loaded with fresh veggies. This light and refreshing meal is ideal for a quick dinner that showcases the vibrant flavors of the vegetables.

    Get the recipe

    Salmon Tacos

    A salmon taco.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These Salmon Tacos are quick to prepare and look impressive on the plate. With seasoned salmon cooked in a pan and topped with a fresh Ginger Avocado Salsa, this is a delicious dinner that won't take long to make.

    Get the recipe

    Crème Fraîche Carbonara

    Fake carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    A tasty carbonara with a unique twist can be ready in a flash. This dish is perfect for impressing guests while keeping things simple.

    Get the recipe

    Smash Burgers

    Easy Smash Burger Recipe
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Gourmet-style burgers can be made at home quickly and easily. These smash burgers have crispy edges and a rich buttery flavor, and you can have them ready to serve in just 15 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Cherry Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Walnuts

    15-Minute Cherry Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Walnuts
    Photo credit: always use butter

    A gourmet dinner can be simple and quick with this Cherry Tomato Pasta featuring spinach and walnuts, which you can have ready in just 15 minutes. Adding mozzarella or burrata gives it an extra delicious finish.

    Get the recipe

    Chickpea Gyros

    Chickpea Gyros.
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie.

    In 20 minutes or less, you can prepare a fancy-looking dinner that's surprisingly simple to make. These chickpea gyros are a tasty vegetarian choice that need just a quick cook on the stovetop and little prep time.

    Get the recipe

    Ground Beef Hotpot

    Ground beef hot pot.
    Photo Credit: Fab Food 4 All.

    This one pan dinner is loaded with root vegetables and peas, giving you a hearty meal that's perfect for the family. A touch of horseradish sauce adds a nice kick, making it a comforting dish everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Chicken tikka masala.
      19 Slow Cooker Dinners That Will Make Your Kids Cheer
    • 23 Deliciously Simple Dinners You Can Set and Forget
    • A broccoli casserole.
      Make Meal Prep Easy with These Vegetable-Packed Dishes
    • Shrimp scampi in a pan.
      19 No Grill? No Problem! Delicious No-Grill Recipes for Your Independence Day Celebration

    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.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    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!

    More about me →

    Popular Recipes

    • Sliced air fryer roast beef.
      Air Fryer Roast Beef
    • top down view of a tortellini casserole
      Cheesy Tortellini Casserole with Spinach
    • Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake [Dump and bake!]
    • sliced rib eye steak topped with salt
      How to Cook a Rib Eye Steak Without a Cast Iron Skillet (3 Methods)

    Popular Articles

    • Pasta with pancetta and peas.
      21 Kid-Approved Recipes Straight From Grandma’s Kitchen
    • Poor man's stew.
      23 Enjoy Lazy Summer Days with These Easy Crockpot Meals
    • Salmon asparagus pasta salad.
      20 Must-Try Pasta Salads for Your Next BBQ
    • Cheesy potatoes.
      22 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes for When You're Too Tired to Cook

    We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    All affiliate links are always marked with "*" or "affiliate".

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    A collage of sites where always use butter content has been featured.

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Disclaimer
    • Disclosures
    • Editorial Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • info@alwaysusebutter.com
    • Pink Giraffe Ventures AB, Runstens Byväg 51, 147 91 Grödinge, Sweden
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Copyright © 2018-2025 Pink Giraffe Ventures AB