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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    21 Crowd-Pleasing Meals That Are a Snap to Prepare

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on May 30, 2024, updated October 24, 2024 - Leave a Comment

    Cooking for a crowd can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. Here are 21 easy meals that are sure to please everyone at the table without taking up too much of your time. From hearty pasta dishes to quick salmon bakes, these recipes are simple to prepare and perfect for gatherings.

    Cherry Tomato Pasta

    15-minute cherry tomato pasta with spinach and walnuts in a black skillet and in a white bowl topped with burrata, all on a white table decorated with cherry tomatoes on a branch and basil leaves
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This 15-minute pasta is easy to make and really filling. Adding mozzarella or burrata on top makes it even better!

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    Walking Taco Casserole

    Walking taco casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This taco casserole combines ground beef, salsa, and lots of cheese into a tasty one-dish meal. It's a great choice for a potluck or an easy dinner that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Paella

    Paella.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Paella is an easy dish that everyone loves, making it great for gatherings. With ingredients like saffron, shrimp, chicken, and veggies, it’s not only delicious but also holds up well for leftovers.

    Get the recipe

    Red Pesto Pasta with Veggies

    Red pesto pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Red pesto pasta is a simple and delicious meal packed with vegetables and flavor. It comes together in less than 30 minutes, with only 15 minutes needed for prep and cooking, and you can use either homemade or store-bought pesto.

    Get the recipe

    Teriyaki Salmon

    Teriyaki salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This easy salmon dish is perfect for gatherings, and you can use store-bought teriyaki sauce or make your own. It's sure to be a hit with everyone!

    Get the recipe

    Lobster & Scallop Pasta

    Lobster & Scallop Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Craft Cookbook.

    This lobster and scallop pasta is a fantastic choice for a special dinner at home. With tender seafood and a bright lemon garlic wine sauce, it's simple enough for anyone to make.

    Get the recipe

    Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas

    Buffalo chicken quesadillas.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish brings together cheesy goodness and a kick of spice, making it a hit with everyone. It's simple to prepare and sure to please a crowd.

    Get the recipe

    Grilled Thai Coconut Chicken Skewers

    ©Provided by Pups with Chopsticks

    These grilled chicken skewers are marinated in a mix of ginger, garlic, coconut cream, and soy sauce. Topped with a sweet coconut cream glaze and paired with a tasty peanut sauce, they make for a simple and satisfying meal.

    Get the recipe

    Salmon Tacos With Ginger Avocado Salsa

    A salmon taco.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Fresh salmon is seasoned and pan-fried in no time, then served with a simple Ginger Avocado Salsa to create delicious Salmon Tacos. This quick and healthy meal is full of flavor and perfect for any occasion.

    Get the recipe

    Mahi Mahi

    Air fried mahi mahi.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    This air fryer mahi mahi is a quick and easy dish that’s sure to impress your family and friends. Pair it with your favorite sides for a satisfying dinner everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Pasta with Pancetta & Peas

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

    This pasta with pancetta and peas makes for a simple and tasty dinner that you can whip up in less than 20 minutes. With crispy pancetta, fresh green peas, orecchiette pasta, and a sprinkle of parmesan, it’s a meal everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Gorgonzola Gnocchi

    Grogonzola gnocchi.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This meal is simple to make and sure to be a hit with everyone. It has a nice creamy and tangy flavor, along with a crispy texture that makes it really enjoyable.

    Get the recipe

    Coconut Lime Chicken Pasta

    Coconut Lime Chicken Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Craft Cookbook.

    This is an easy and enjoyable dish that’s perfect for entertaining. With a zesty coconut lime sauce, this meal brings a fresh take on pasta and can be ready in about thirty minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Halloumi Pasta Primavera

    Halloumi pasta primavera.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This vegetarian halloumi pasta comes together in just 20 minutes and is loaded with fresh vegetables, making it a great and slightly lighter dinner choice. It's a simple yet flavorful meal that showcases the goodness of veggies without any heavy cream.

    Get the recipe

    Caprese Chicken

    Caprese chicken.
    Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

    Caprese Chicken is a tasty dish made with just 5 easy ingredients and cooked in one pan. It's a filling meal that's simple to make, making it great for any day of the week.

    Get the recipe

    Marry Me Chicken Pasta

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

    This Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a quick and tasty dish that you can whip up in just 20 minutes. With a creamy sauce full of flavors from crème fraîche, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, paprika, and oregano, it's sure to impress.

    Get the recipe

    Kung Pao Chicken

    Photo Credit: Seasonal Cravings.

    This dish offers a healthier twist on your favorite take-out meal, full of great flavors. It's an easy and satisfying choice for a meal at home.

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    Shrimp Carbonara

    Shrimp carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Shrimp Carbonara is a simple and delicious twist on the classic Italian pasta dish. It combines the creamy richness of traditional Carbonara with tender, perfectly cooked shrimp.

    Get the recipe

    Pork Chops with Red Wine & Mushrooms

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

    This is a quick and tasty dinner option that everyone will enjoy. With garlic, mushrooms, and thyme, pork chops are seared and then simmered in red wine for a juicy finish.

    Get the recipe

    Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos

    Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos bring together the bold flavors of buffalo sauce in a fun taco format. Loaded with buffalo cauliflower, creamy avocado, blue cheese sauce, and fresh cilantro, these tacos are sure to be a hit with everyone.

    Get the recipe

    Dump-and-Bake Mac & Cheese

    Mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Baked Mac and Cheese is super simple to make. In just 10 minutes of prep and 45 minutes in the oven, you can enjoy a delicious one-pan dish loaded with Cheddar and Gruyere cheese.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Bacon chicken ranch pasta salad.
      22 Quick and Easy Summer Dinners for All Those Lazy Evenings
    • King ranch chicken casserole.
      22 Simple Dump-And-Go Dinners That Get the Job Done
    • Feta stuffed chicken.
      17 Irresistible Feta Cheese Dishes to Try This Summer
    • Beef stew.
      20 No-Fuss Crockpot Recipes That Will Save You Time and Energy

    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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