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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    22 Dishes That Will Make You Forget Your Restaurant Reservation

    By Emmeline Kemperyd updated December 30, 2025 · Published December 30, 2025 · Leave a Comment

    When it comes to satisfying your cravings, sometimes homemade dishes can outshine even the best restaurant meals. From comforting classics to exciting new flavors, these 22 recipes are sure to impress and keep you coming back for more. Whether you're in the mood for something hearty or light, there's a dish here that will make you forget all about dining out.

    Easy Paella

    Paella.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This paella is a crowd-pleaser that everyone enjoys. Loaded with saffron, white wine, shrimp, chicken, peas, and bell peppers, it's perfect for dinner parties and tastes just as good the next day.

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    Crockpot Cornish Game Hens

    Cornish Game Hens Crockpot Recipe
    Photo Credit: Food Folks and Fun.

    Slow Cooker Cornish Hens are tender and juicy, full of flavor, and easy to make. The vegetables cook right with the hens in the slow cooker, giving you a complete meal without much work.

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    Buffalo Cauliflower Pizza

    Buffalo cauliflower pizza.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This buffalo cauliflower pizza has a crispy puff pastry crust and is loaded with cheese, topped off with a tasty blue cheese sauce. It's a great vegetarian choice for dinner, a snack, or an appetizer that you'll really enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Tostadas

    Chicken tostadas.
    Photo credit: House of Yumm.

    Tostadas are a tasty meal you can easily whip up at home. They feature crispy corn tortillas topped with refried beans, chicken or ground beef, cheese, and all your favorite toppings.

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    Beef Chow Fun

    beef chow fun.
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    Beef Chow Fun is quick to prepare in just 20 minutes, making it ideal for a busy weeknight dinner. With rice noodles, bean sprouts, scallions, and flank steak, this dish is sure to satisfy your cravings.

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    Slow Cooker Steak, Potatoes, and Corn

    Slow Cooker Steak, Potatoes, and Corn
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow cooker.

    This dish features tender steak bites, potatoes, and corn all simmered together in a flavorful garlic butter sauce. It's a simple and satisfying meal that you can prepare in the slow cooker.

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    Pasta with Pancetta & Peas

    Pasta with peas and pancetta.
    Photo Credit: Scarlati Family Kitchen.

    This dinner is all about crispy pancetta, fresh green peas, orecchiette pasta, and grated parmesan cheese, and it comes together in under 20 minutes. It's a simple yet satisfying meal that's perfect for busy nights.

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    Cheesy Steak Pasta Casserole

    Steak pasta casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This dish features a creamy steak and mushroom pasta baked into a cheesy casserole. It's a comforting and classy dinner that you can whip up in just 45 minutes, all in one pan to keep cleanup easy.

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    Chicken and Mushroom Casserole

    Chicken and Mushroom Casserole
    Photo Credit: Super Golden Bakes.

    This Chicken and Mushroom Casserole is packed with wild mushrooms and chestnuts, giving it a delicious twist. It's a cozy dish that the whole family will love.

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    Gorgonzola Gnocchi

    Grogonzola gnocchi.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish combines creamy, tangy, and crunchy flavors that are sure to please. It's a satisfying option that stands out from typical restaurant meals.

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    Spanish Chicken And Rice

    Spanish chicken thighs and rice with olives on a light plate.
    Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons.

    Spanish Chicken and Rice is a flavorful one-pot meal that's perfect for family dinners. It's a great choice for both busy weeknights and laid-back weekends.

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    No-Boil Ravioli Casserole

    This cheesy ravioli casserole is one of the simplest dishes you can make. With just four simple ingredients and store-bought shortcuts, you can prep this dish in 5 minutes, and eat in under 40!
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This dish is incredibly easy to prepare. With just four basic ingredients and some ready-made options, you can have it ready in 5 minutes and on the table in under 40.

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    Air Fryer Steak Bites

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

    Steak bites cooked in the air fryer are ready in under 10 minutes, perfect for a quick family dinner. Marinated in lemon juice, soy sauce, honey, and herbs, the steak turns out tender and full of flavor.

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    Chicken Stuffed with Feta Cheese

    Feta stuffed chicken.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These chicken filets are filled with Feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and basil, creating a flavorful dish. This is a great option for a satisfying meal.

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    Air Fryer Flank Steak

    Sliced flank steak.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Air Fryer Flank Steak is quick and easy, taking only 8-10 minutes to cook. The marinade gives it great flavor while keeping the meat juicy and tender.

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    Marry Me Chicken Pasta

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

    Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy and flavorful dish that comes together in just 20 minutes. With ingredients like crème fraîche, sun-dried tomatoes, and simple dried herbs, it's easy to whip up without much effort.

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    Mushroom Truffle Risotto

    Mushroom Truffle Risotto
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    Mushroom Truffle Risotto is a tasty dish that you can prepare in under 40 minutes. With its rich flavors from mushrooms, white truffle oil, and white wine, this is a great choice for impressing your guests.

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    Duck With Orange Sauce

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

    Duck breasts with orange sauce is a standout dish that you'll want to prepare time and again. The sweet and tangy sauce adds a special touch, making it a great option for impressing guests or enjoying a nice meal at home.

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    Roasted Gnocchi with Veggies

    Roasted gnocchi with veggies.
    Photo credit: FODMAP Everyday.

    This recipe is perfect for gnocchi lovers. Roasting the gnocchi in the oven with olive oil gives it a crispy outside while keeping it soft and tender inside.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Prosciutto Wrapped Chicken

    Sheet pan prosciutto wrapped chicken.
    Photo credit: Recipes from a Pantry.

    Prosciutto-wrapped chicken is a simple and tasty dinner that you can make all on one sheet pan. It's perfect for busy nights when you want something delicious without a lot of work.

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    Easy Shepherd's Pie

    Easy Shepherd’s Pie
    Photo Credit: Bowl of Delicious.

    Shepherd's Pie is a comforting dish that's easy to make with just six simple ingredients. It's affordable, can be frozen for later, and you can make it with both ground beef and lamb.

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    Lamb Pastitsio

    Leftover Lamb Pastitsio.
    Photo credit: Mrs Jones's Kitchen.

    This Greek lamb pastitsio is a delicious mix of seasoned lamb, pasta, and rich béchamel sauce, all baked together for a comforting dish. It's a satisfying meal that's sure to impress anyone at the table.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Tortellini lasagna.
      14 Shockingly Fancy Dinners You Can Make With Just 6 Ingredients
    • Goulash.
      19 Stick-to-Your-Ribs Dinners That Keep You Full All Night
    • Cajun Alfredo pasta.
      31 Pasta Dishes That Are Faster to Make Than Ordering In
    • A pan full of baked spaghetti.
      23 Quick and Easy Ground Beef Casseroles for Busy Families

    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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