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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    22 Elegant Dinners That Are Much Easier Than You Think

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on June 4, 2024, updated November 4, 2024 - Leave a Comment

    Planning an elegant dinner doesn't have to be stressful or complicated. With a few simple ingredients and easy techniques, you can create impressive meals that look and feel special. These 22 dinner ideas are perfect for any occasion, making it simple to impress your guests without spending all day in the kitchen.

    Halloumi Portobello Burgers

    A portobello halloumi burger.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Thse Halloumi Burgers are packed with creamy mashed avocado, a hearty portobello mushroom, crumbled goat cheese, spicy arugula, and sweet caramelized onions. They're easy to make and always a favorite among guests!

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    Chicken Alfredo

    Chicken alfredo with pasta.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This chicken fettuccine alfredo is a simple yet fancy dish that you can easily make at home. With tender chicken, perfectly cooked fettuccine, and a creamy homemade sauce, you can enjoy a delicious meal in just 30 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos

    Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    Buffalo cauliflower tacos topped with avocado, blue cheese sauce, and cilantro are always a hit with my friends. You can easily make these tasty tacos in about 40 minutes using either the oven or an air fryer.

    Get the recipe

    Shrimp Mei Fun

    Shrimp mei fun.

    A classic noodle favorite that's very easy to make at home.

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    Puff Pastry Pizza with Blue Cheese & Apples

    Puff Pastry Pizza with Blue Cheese & Apples.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Puff Pastry Pizza is a great way to make dinner feel special without a lot of effort. With a tasty combination of blue cheese, red apples, asparagus, and crispy kale chips, it offers a nice balance of flavors that works for any meal or snack.

    Get the recipe

    Crispy Furikake Salmon

    Fruikake salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This salmon dish combines simple ingredients like salmon, soy sauce, and furikake seasoning for a tasty meal. It's an easy way to enjoy a fancy dinner without a lot of fuss.

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    Instant Pot Bolognese

    A bowl of instant pot bolognese served over pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Instant Pot bolognese makes dinner easy and stress-free. You can whip up a tasty pasta sauce in no time using simple ingredients.

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    Shrimp Asparagus Risotto

    A spoonful of shrimp risotto.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This risotto is creamy and full of flavor, featuring shrimp, asparagus, lemon, basil, and parmesan. It’s a fancy dish that you can whip up in just 40 minutes, making it great for dinner parties.

    Get the recipe

    Spicy Vodka Pasta

    spicy vodka pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Vodka Pasta is full of rich flavors, combining a nice kick with a creamy texture that everyone will enjoy. You can even make it without using any vodka if you prefer.

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    Pork Chops with Red Wine & Mushrooms

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

    These juicy pork chops are quick and easy to make, taking just 25 minutes. Searing them with garlic, mushrooms, and thyme, then simmering in red wine brings out amazing flavors.

    Get the recipe

    Seafood Pasta Bake

    Baked seafood pasta.

    Creamy, cheesy, seafood pasta all in a simple casserole package.

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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 and doesn’t require you to stir it constantly. With fresh lemon, leeks, and parsley, this dish is full of flavor and looks impressive, making it perfect for both dinner parties and casual weeknight meals.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Roast Beef

    Sliced roast beef.
    Photo credit: alwaysusebutter.com.

    This Air Fryer Roast Beef is a simple way to make a tasty family dinner in less than an hour. With just a few ingredients, you’ll have a flavorful herb crust and juicy, tender meat that everyone will love.

    Get the recipe

    Firecracker Salmon

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

    This Firecracker Salmon comes together in just 15 minutes, showcasing a tangy sauce and tender fish. It's a quick and easy dish that will definitely impress your guests at dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Beef Chow Fun

    beef chow fun.
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    This Beef Chow Fun is a quick and easy dish that can be made in just 20 minutes. With rice noodles, bean sprouts, scallions, and flank steak, it's a satisfying meal that you'll love.

    Get the recipe

    Thai Salmon Curry

    A bowl of thai salmon curry with rice.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This creamy Thai Salmon Curry brings the flavors of Thailand right to your table with pan-seared salmon cooked in a rich coconut milk sauce. It's a quick and tasty dish that you can whip up in just 30 minutes, making it ideal for a weeknight dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Gorgonzola Gnocchi

    Grogonzola gnocchi.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish combines creamy, tangy, and crunchy flavors for a satisfying experience. It's a simple yet impressive option for a special dinner.

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    Buffalo Shrimp

    Buffalo shrimp.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Buffalo shrimp is a quick and tasty appetizer that you can whip up in less than 10 minutes. With just a few ingredients, this healthy dish is packed with flavor and perfect for any gathering.

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    Miso Mushroom Ramen

    a bowl of miso mushroom ramen.

    Make a quick, flavorful dashi and serve with the most flavor-packed mushrooms you've ever had.

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    Chicken Stuffed with Feta Cheese

    Feta stuffed chicken.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Enjoy a simple yet fancy dinner with chicken filets filled with Feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and basil. This dish adds a tasty twist to a classic meal without much effort.

    Get the recipe

    Mushroom Truffle Risotto

    Mushroom Truffle Risotto
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    Mushroom Truffle Risotto is a simple yet fancy dish that you can make in under 40 minutes. With the rich flavors of mushrooms, truffle oil, and white wine, it’s great for impressing guests without too much effort.

    Get the recipe

    Crock Pot Vegetable Tortellini Soup

    Vegetable Tortellini Soup in Crockpot
    Photo Credit: Foodess.

    This creamy Tortellini Soup is a simple and satisfying dish that's perfect for a cozy dinner. With just a few easy ingredients and minimal prep time, you can enjoy a bowl full of flavor and fresh greens.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • Dipping chicken in ketchup.
      22 Stupid Simple Summer Dinners Your Whole Family Will Love
    • Buffalo chicken tater tot casserole.
      21 Easy Freezer Casseroles You Can Make Ahead
    • Gnocchi soup.
      20 Lazy Crockpot Dinners We’re Making All Summer Long
    • Ritz chicken.
      18 Quick and Easy Slow Cooker Dinners You Can Just Dump, Cook and Enjoy

    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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