30 Quick and Easy Dinners That Will Make You Look Like a Star Chef

These recipes are all relatively simple to make, but they look and taste like they came from a fancy restaurant. With a little practice, you’ll be able to whip up these dishes like a pro.

Pasta

  • Cacio e Pepe: This classic Roman pasta dish is made with just four ingredients: pasta, Pecorino Romano cheese, black pepper, and pasta water. It’s simple to make but incredibly flavorful.
  • Pasta alla Gricia: This dish is similar to Cacio e Pepe, but it also includes guanciale (cured pork cheek). It’s a bit more complex in flavor but still relatively easy to make.
  • Pasta Carbonara: This dish is made with pasta, eggs, guanciale, Pecorino Romano cheese, and black pepper. It’s a rich and decadent dish that is perfect for a special occasion.
  • Spaghetti alle Vongole: This dish is made with spaghetti, clams, garlic, white wine, and parsley. It’s a light and refreshing dish that is perfect for a summer night.
  • Bucatini all’Amatriciana: This dish is made with bucatini pasta, guanciale, tomatoes, Pecorino Romano cheese, and red pepper flakes. It’s a hearty and flavorful dish that is perfect for a winter night.

Seafood

  • Pan-Seared Scallops with Lemon Butter Sauce: This dish is made with scallops, butter, lemon juice, and parsley. It’s a simple but elegant dish that is perfect for a romantic dinner.
  • Grilled Swordfish with Olive Tapenade: This dish is made with swordfish, olive tapenade, and lemon juice. It’s a healthy and flavorful dish that is perfect for a summer night.
  • Baked Cod with Roasted Vegetables: This dish is made with cod, roasted vegetables, and herbs. It’s a healthy and easy dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal.
  • Shrimp Scampi: This dish is made with shrimp, garlic, white wine, butter, and parsley. It’s a classic dish that is always a crowd-pleaser.
  • Miso-Glazed Salmon: This dish is made with salmon, miso paste, honey, and soy sauce. It’s a flavorful and healthy dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal.

Meat

  • Pan-Seared Steak with Red Wine Sauce: This dish is made with steak, red wine, beef broth, and butter. It’s a classic dish that is perfect for a special occasion.
  • Roasted Chicken with Rosemary and Garlic: This dish is made with chicken, rosemary, garlic, and olive oil. It’s a simple but flavorful dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal.
  • Pork Tenderloin with Apple Cider Glaze: This dish is made with pork tenderloin, apple cider, honey, and cinnamon. It’s a sweet and savory dish that is perfect for a fall night.
  • Lamb Chops with Mint Pesto: This dish is made with lamb chops, mint pesto, and lemon juice. It’s a flavorful and elegant dish that is perfect for a special occasion.
  • Beef Bourguignon: This dish is made with beef, red wine, beef broth, carrots, onions, and mushrooms. It’s a hearty and flavorful dish that is perfect for a winter night.

Vegetarian

  • Risotto with Butternut Squash and Sage: This dish is made with risotto rice, butternut squash, sage, and Parmesan cheese. It’s a creamy and flavorful dish that is perfect for a fall night.
  • Vegetarian Chili: This dish is made with beans, vegetables, tomatoes, and spices. It’s a hearty and flavorful dish that is perfect for a winter night.
  • Lentil Soup: This dish is made with lentils, vegetables, vegetable broth, and spices. It’s a healthy and hearty dish that is perfect for a winter night.
  • Roasted Vegetable Tart: This dish is made with puff pastry, roasted vegetables, and goat cheese. It’s a beautiful and flavorful dish that is perfect for a party.
  • Vegetarian Paella: This dish is made with rice, vegetables, saffron, and vegetable broth. It’s a flavorful and festive dish that is perfect for a party.

Other

  • French Onion Soup: This soup is made with beef broth, onions, bread, and Gruyere cheese. It’s a rich and flavorful soup that is perfect for a winter night.
  • Quiche Lorraine: This dish is made with eggs, bacon, cheese, and cream. It’s a classic dish that is perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
  • Croque Monsieur: This sandwich is made with bread, ham, cheese, and béchamel sauce. It’s a simple but elegant sandwich that is perfect for a light lunch.
  • Salad Niçoise: This salad is made with lettuce, tomatoes, olives, eggs, tuna, and anchovies. It’s a healthy and flavorful salad that is perfect for a summer day.
  • Crêpes Suzette: These crêpes are made with butter, sugar, orange juice, and Grand Marnier. They’re a delicious and elegant dessert that is perfect for a special occasion.

Tips and Tricks

  • Use high-quality ingredients.
  • Don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavors and combinations.
  • Practice makes perfect. The more you cook, the better you’ll become.

With a little practice, you’ll be able to whip up these dishes like a pro. So get in the kitchen and start cooking!