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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    Want Impressive Results Without the Hard Work? Try These 27 Simple Dishes

    By Emmeline Kemperyd updated February 4, 2026 · Published February 12, 2026 · Leave a Comment

    Cooking can sometimes feel like a race against the clock, but there are plenty of simple dishes that give the impression of being gourmet without the long hours in the kitchen. These recipes are easy to prepare and use everyday ingredients, yet they deliver impressive flavors that will leave everyone thinking you spent all day cooking. Whether you're hosting a dinner or just want to treat yourself, these dishes will make you look like a pro.

    Creamy Chicken Pasta with Red Wine & Mushrooms

    Red wine chicken pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This is a quick and tasty meal that you can whip up in just 30 minutes. Packed with flavors from red wine, mushrooms, and thyme, it's a satisfying dish that's great for dinner or leftovers.

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    Pork Chops with Red Wine & Mushrooms

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

    These Cast Iron Pork Chops are juicy and ready in just 25 minutes. Sear them with garlic, mushrooms, and thyme, then let them simmer in red wine for deliciously tender chops.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets

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

    Air fryer chicken cutlets are a quick and easy dinner option for any night. They turn out crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, leaving you wanting more.

    Get the recipe

    Gnocchi with Bacon & Mushrooms

    A spoonful of bacon mushroom gnocchi.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Pan-fried gnocchi is a tasty option that beats boiled any day, especially when paired with crispy bacon and flavorful mushrooms. This dish is simple to prepare and perfect for a satisfying meal.

    Get the recipe

    Buffalo Chicken Sandwich

    Buffalo Chicken Sandwich.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches come together in under thirty minutes, offering a spicy kick paired with a refreshing blue cheese coleslaw. This is a great meal for when you want something delicious without spending all day in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Lemon Pepper Salmon

    Baked lemon pepper salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This salmon dish is super tasty and only needs 3 easy ingredients. It's perfect for a quick meal that feels special.

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    Creamy Chicken Pasta with Feta Cheese

    finished pasta with chicken and feta cheese
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something satisfying without a lot of work.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Mushroom Stroganoff

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

    Chicken Mushroom Stroganoff is a rich and creamy dish that brings the flavors of Eastern Europe to your table in just 30 minutes. It's a satisfying and comforting meal that's perfect for busy nights when you want something delicious without spending all day cooking.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer T-Bone Steak with Homemade Garlic Butter

    T-bone steak with garlic butter.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    Juicy T-bone steaks can be made easily in your air fryer, and it's a quick process. Serve them with homemade garlic butter or your favorite sauce for a satisfying dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Teriyaki Salmon

    Teriyaki salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This salmon dish is easy to prepare, whether you grab some teriyaki sauce from the store or make your own. It's a delicious meal that won't keep you in the kitchen for long.

    Get the recipe

    Marry Me Chicken Pasta

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

    This Marry Me Chicken Pasta is creamy and full of flavor, featuring ingredients like crème fraîche, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, paprika, and oregano. It's surprisingly easy to prepare with just a few dried herbs and little prep work.

    Get the recipe

    Crème Fraîche Carbonara

    Fake carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This carbonara recipe offers a tasty take on the traditional dish, loaded with extra flavor. It's a great option for a satisfying meal without spending all day in the kitchen.

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    Pink Pasta Sauce with Bacon

    Pink pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish features a tasty mix of creamy tomato sauce and crispy bacon. It's a simple meal that feels special without requiring much effort.

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    Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

    Cooked chicken drumstick.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Chicken drumsticks can be ready in just 20 minutes when you soak them in olive oil, lime juice, and spices. They come out tender on the inside with a nice crispy outside, perfect for quick and tasty meals.

    Get the recipe

    Red Pesto Pasta with Roasted Veggies

    Red pesto pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Red pesto pasta is a simple dish that you can whip up in under 30 minutes, with just 15 minutes spent on prep and cooking. Packed with veggies and flavor, it works well with either homemade or store-bought pesto and is delicious served hot or cold.

    Get the recipe

    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.

    Lemon butter caper sauce is creamy and flavorful, making it a great addition to fish and broccoli. Everything is cooked in one pan, so it's easy to prepare.

    Get the recipe

    Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas

    Buffalo chicken quesadillas.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish combines cheese and spices for a tasty meal that's simple to prepare. It's perfect for a quick dinner on a busy weekday.

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    Spanish Chicken Stew

    Spanish chicken stew with rice.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This chicken stew is quick to prepare and features rotisserie chicken with a bright lemon flavor and aromatic rosemary. It's a simple dish that brings comfort without taking much time to make.

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    Chicken Stuffed with Feta Cheese

    Feta stuffed chicken.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Chicken filets filled with Feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and basil are a tasty option that won't take much time to prepare. This dish is perfect for when you want something flavorful without spending all day cooking.

    Get the recipe

    Spicy Vodka Pasta

    spicy vodka pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Vodka Pasta is full of spicy and creamy flavors that everyone will love. You can easily prepare it even if you want to skip the vodka.

    Get the recipe

    Spicy Sausage Pasta

    Spicy sausage pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dinner features a tasty combination of spicy sausage, pasta, and Parmesan cheese. It's a satisfying meal that comes together quickly.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Steak Bites

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

    Air fryer steak bites 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.

    Get the recipe

    Tortellini Carbonara

    Tortellini carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This carbonara is a quick and easy meal that you can make with common ingredients. It's perfect for when you want something delicious without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Thai Red Curry Fried Rice

    Fried rice with curry.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Thai Curry Fried Rice is quick to whip up and full of real Thai flavors, including fish sauce, curry paste, cashews, lime, and cilantro. Add some Sriracha for a spicy touch if you want.

    Get the recipe

    Gorgonzola Gnocchi

    Grogonzola gnocchi.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish is creamy, tangy, crunchy, and really delicious. It's perfect for when you want something satisfying without spending all day in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Teriyaki Stir-fry

    Chicken teriyaki.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Chicken Teriyaki Stir Fry is a quick and delicious meal packed with your favorite vegetables and flavors. You can easily personalize it with your choice of Teriyaki sauce and either fresh or frozen veggies.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Cod in Foil

    A foil pack with cod and potatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Baked cod foil packets are full of flavor and take just 5 minutes to prepare. With cod, tomatoes, potatoes, and lemon all in one dish, this is a simple and complete dinner.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Red wine pasta sauce.
      17 Easy Pasta Recipes That Make Cooking Fun Again
    • Chicken parmesan pasta.
      24 Simple Dinners for a Romantic Valentine's Evening
    • Tater tot casserole.
      14 Tater Tot Creations Loaded With Cheese
    • Sheet pan caprese chicken.
      26 Romantic Dinner Ideas That Don’t Take All Night

    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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