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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    Cook Like a Chef: 26 Gourmet Recipes That Are Secretly Very Simple to Make

    By Emmeline Kemperyd updated May 13, 2026 · Published May 15, 2026 · Leave a Comment

    Cooking gourmet dishes at home can be easier than you think. With just a few simple ingredients and techniques, you can impress your friends and family with meals that look and taste like they came from a high-end restaurant. Here are 22 easy gourmet recipes that will really help you shine in the kitchen.

    Instant Pot French Onion Soup

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

    This version of French Onion Soup is quick and easy, perfect for impressing your guests. It features a topping of crispy French Baguette and melted gruyere cheese.

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    Smoked Salmon & Spinach Pasta

    Salmon spinach pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This quick pasta dish features smoked salmon and a bright touch of lemon, making it a meal you'll love to whip up often. It's simple yet impressive, perfect for any occasion.

    Get the recipe

    Sardine Pasta Bolognese

    Sardine Pasta Bolognese.
    Photo credit: Krumpli.

    This pasta dish takes the traditional Bolognese and gives it a special touch with sardines, red wine, and a blend of sun-dried and fresh tomatoes. It's a simple yet impressive meal that feels gourmet without being complicated.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Halloumi Tacos

    Halloumi tacos.
    Image credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    These halloumi tacos are quick to prepare and perfect for a fancy dinner that will wow your guests. Enjoy a delicious meal that looks and tastes like it took hours to make.

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    Shrimp Carbonara

    Shrimp carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Shrimp Carbonara is a simple yet delicious twist on the traditional Italian dish. It brings together creamy pasta and juicy shrimp, all made without using any cream for an easy and satisfying meal.

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    Air Fryer Salmon

    Air Fryer Salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Prepare a delicious salmon with the skin on in just 20 minutes using your air fryer. With a sprinkle of lemon juice and pepper, this dish is simple yet impressive.

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    Marry Me Chicken Pasta

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

    Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a simple yet impressive dish that combines a creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, basil, and a mix of spices. With just a few dried herbs and little prep work, you can create a meal that looks and tastes like it took hours to make.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Steak Bites

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

    Air fryer steak bites come together in under 10 minutes, making them perfect for a quick family meal. Marinated in lemon juice, soy sauce, honey, and herbs, these bites turn any cut of steak into a tender and flavorful dish.

    Get the recipe

    Tortellini Carbonara

    Tortellini carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This carbonara is a quick and easy take on the traditional recipe, made with common ingredients you can find at any grocery store. It's perfect for impressing your friends without spending hours in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Firecracker Salmon

    Firecracker salmon on a teal plate.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Cook this quick Firecracker Salmon in just 15 minutes for a delicious dinner with spicy, tangy sauce and perfectly cooked salmon. This deliciously spicy salmon recipe makes for a quick and easy dinner that will be the star of your table.

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    Salmon Stew

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

    This Salmon Stew is packed with flavor and has a nice kick, making it great for a comforting meal. It comes together in under 30 minutes using easy-to-find ingredients, making it a perfect choice for a quick fish dish.

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    Pink Pasta Sauce with Bacon

    Pink pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish features a tangy tomato sauce paired with crunchy bacon, creating a satisfying meal. It's a simple yet impressive option that will make you feel like a pro in the kitchen.

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    Mushroom Truffle Risotto

    Mushroom Truffle Risotto
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    Mushroom Truffle Risotto is a simple yet elegant dish that you can whip up in under 40 minutes. With the rich flavors of mushrooms, white truffle oil, and a splash of white wine, it's sure to impress anyone you serve it to.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Skirt Steak

    Sliced air fryer skirt steak.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This is a quick and easy dish that delivers juicy, tender steak in just 6-10 minutes. With a flavorful marinade, you can impress your friends and family with a gourmet meal that's simple to make.

    Get the recipe

    Lobster & Scallop Pasta

    Lobster & Scallop Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Craft Cookbook.

    Lobster and scallop pasta is a fantastic option for a special dinner at home. With its flavorful lemon garlic wine sauce and tender seafood, it's sure to impress your guests effortlessly.

    Get the recipe

    Salmon Piccata

    Salmon piccata in a skillet.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This delicous salmon dish is all done in under 20 minutes, and you just need one pan to make. It comes out super creamy with lots of buttery lemon flavor - and with a sauce so good you will want to eat it by the spoonful!

    Get the recipe

    Shrimp Scampi Without Wine

    Shrimp scampi.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Make a quick and tasty Shrimp Scampi in just 10 minutes, and you won't need any wine. The mix of garlic, lemon, chili, and parsley will create a wonderful smell in your kitchen.

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    Pork Chops with Red Wine & Mushrooms

    Cast iron skillet pork chops.
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    These pork chops are extra juicy and ready in just 25 minutes. They're seared with garlic, mushrooms, and thyme, then simmered in red wine for a delicious meal.

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    Salmon Tartare

    A salmon tartare on green arugula.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This is a fantastic appetizer you can prepare in advance. It combines rich flavors with a hint of French mustard and rum, topped with crunchy fried capers for an extra touch.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Stuffed with Feta Cheese

    Feta stuffed chicken.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This chicken dish features tasty Feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil, creating a delightful meal that's sure to impress. It's an easy way to serve something special without a lot of fuss.

    Get the recipe

    Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

    Garlic butter shrimp pasta.

    This is an irresistible combination of tender shrimp, al dente pasta, and flavorful garlic butter sauce.

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    Salmon Risotto with Leeks & Lemon

    Salmon Ristotto with Leeks & Lemon
    Photo credit: always use butter

    Salmon Risotto comes together in under 40 minutes without the hassle of constant stirring. With fresh lemon, leeks, and parsley, this dish is easy to make and perfect for impressing guests or enjoying on a busy night.

    Get the recipe

    Grilled Rib Eye

    Grilled Rib Eye
    Photo Credit: FODMAP Everyday.

    A grilled rib eye steak seasoned with smoked salt and paired with charred vegetables makes for a very satisfying meal. This dish is perfect for meat lovers and can easily accommodate different dietary needs.

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    Olive Garden Vegan Gnocchi Soup

    Olive Garden Vegan Gnocchi Soup
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This is a cozy and satisfying dish that's perfect for any day of the week. Packed with fresh vegetables and soft gnocchi in a rich, creamy broth, it comes together in just 30 minutes using ingredients you probably already have at home.

    Get the recipe

    Bacon Wrapped Salmon with Garlic Butter

    Bacon wrapped salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Load your standard salmon filets with garlic butter & wrap in bacon for a delicious meal the whole family will love.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

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      26 Dump-and-Go Beef Dinners for Any Night of the Week
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      21 Cheesy Recipes You'll Want to Make Again and Again
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      22 Super-Quick Meals That Save the Night
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      24 Make-Ahead Casseroles That Freeze Beautifully for Later

    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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