Our 28 Must-Try Recipes For A Restaurant-Quality Dinner

Cooking fancy dinners can sometimes feel like an intimidating – and often overwhelming – task, but this does not have to be the case!

With these easy recipes for fancy dinner parties, you will find that cooking a delicious meal is as simple as it gets.

Ready to learn how to cook fancy dinner recipes in an easy, painless way? Here are our top recipes!

1. Chicken Pot Pie

This chicken pot pie recipe is one of our favorite fancy dinner recipes. It’s so easy to make and tastes amazing. The filling is creamy and comforting while the crust is flaky and crunchy. 

This dish is sure to impress any guest who dines on it.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup onion, finely chopped
• 3/4 cup diced carrot
• 1/4 cup celery, diced
• 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup flour
• 1 1/3 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 4 cups diced chicken breast
• 1 package frozen peas
• 1 (9-inch) deep-dish pie shell
• Read-to-use pie crusts

Directions

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Melt the butter in a skillet on the hob
• In a large bowl, add onion, carrot, celery, and salt, and cook until the onion is translucent
• Stir in the flour, and cook for a minute
• Stir in chicken broth and cream and simmer.
• Reduce heat and cook until thick and creamy, and the vegetables are starting to soften
• Stir in chicken and peas
• Season with salt and pepper and remove from the heat
• Place the pie crust into the bottom of the pie dish, add the filling, and add the top pie crust. Close the edges with your fingers, and cook for around 30 minutes.

2. Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

Roasting squash gives it a sweet flavor that pairs perfectly with savory flavors such as bacon and sage. This soup is hearty enough to serve as the main course but also makes a great starter.

Ingredients

• 70 g pack cubetti di pancetta (see also ‘28 Perfect Pancetta Recipes‘)
• 1 butternut squash, peeled and chopped
• 1 large onion
• 2 cloves garlic 
• 1 tbsp honey
• 3 sprigs rosemary 
• 600ml chicken stock
• 150ml white wine
• 100ml double cream
• 1 lemon
• 25g toasted pine nut

Directions

•  Fry the pancetta until crispy, and then set aside.
• Place the squash, garlic, and onion into a roasting tin, add the rosemary and honey, and roast for around 30 minutes – turning the squash halfway through.
• Remove the tin from the oven, and discard the rosemary. Add the contents to a blender, and blend with the lemon juice, stock, cream, and wine. Season and blend until smooth.
• Add the mixture to a pan and heat, before dividing between the bowls.

3. Honey Roast Duck

Duck is a meaty bird that’s full of flavor. Here, we use honey as a glaze to give the duck a 

sweet finish.

Ingredients

• 1 whole fresh duck (about 5 lbs.)
• 1 orange
• Honey
• 6 sprigs thyme
• Sea salt and black pepper

Directions

• Squeeze a little of the orange juice inside the duck, and place two sprigs of thyme and two halves of orange into the cavity of the duck. Season with salt and pepper.
• Roast the duck in a preheated oven at 430 degrees F, and cook for 20 minutes. Reduce the heat to 370 degrees F, and cook for 30 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and drizzle the honey and thyme before returning to the oven.
• While the duck is cooking, baste and check regularly until the temperature reaches 74 degrees.
• When cooked, remove the duck from the oven, uncover, and rest for 10 minutes before serving.

4. Crab Cakes

Crab cakes are always a crowd pleaser. They can be served as appetizers or main course. You can even serve them as a snack. This recipe uses crab meat (see also ‘35 Insanely Delicious Crab Recipes To Try‘) instead of shrimp because they have less fat.

Ingredients

•  1 pound backfin crab meat
• 2½ tbsps butter
• 2 tbsp flour
• 1 cup milk
• 3 tbsps dry white wine
• ½ tsp dry mustard
• ¼ tsp white pepper
• 1 scallion
• Parsley
• Green pepper
• 1 egg
• Salt

Directions

• Create white sauce using flour and butter, then add milk, wine, and pepper. mustard and salt.
• Mix with crab and other ingredients.
• Form into large cakes
• Fry until golden.

5. Pan-Seared Salmon

Pan seared salmon is a dish that will impress your guests: it is super simple to prepare and has an elegant presentation.

Ingredients

•  4 salmon fillets skin on
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt plus a few extra pinches
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/2 tbsp canola, grapeseed, avocado, or another high smoke point cooking oil
• 1 lemon cut into wedges
• Chopped fresh parsley or basil, or dill, optional for serving

Directions

• Heat butter and oil over medium-high heat until the butter is melted. Get the pan as hot as possible.
• Season the flesh side of the salmon with salt and pepper
• Add the filets to the skillet skin-side up, and add salt to the skin side.
• Cook the salmon on one side for between 5 and 6 minutes. Flip the fillets, and cook for 2 to 4 minutes on the other side. Remove from the plate, rest for five minutes and squeeze lemon and sprinkle with herbs. Serve with delicious new potatoes and fresh veg.

6. Roasted Garlic Butter Baked Potatoes

These baked potatoes are so good that nobody will believe how super simple they are to make!

Ingredients

• 8 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 pounds gold potatoes
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic
• 2 medium lemons
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh oregano leaves

Directions

• Add 8 tablespoons of butter to the stove, and then add to a large bowl.
• Peel the potatoes, and cut them into 1-inch cubes. Add these to the butter with 1 tablespoon olive oil, and toss to cover.
• Mice the garlic, and juice 2 lemons. Add lemon juice, garlic, and salt to the potatoes and toss again. 
• Add the potatoes to a baking sheet and spread into a single layer.
• Roast, flipping halfway through, for between 35 and 45 minutes. Remove from the oven, and sprinkle with oregano to finish.

7. Creamy Spaghetti Pie

For a tasty pie with a twist, try this delicious spaghetti-based recipe.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces cooked spaghetti
• 1⁄3cup green onions, chopped
• 1⁄4cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 ounces parmesan, grated
• 1 container ricotta cheese
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 3 tbsp butter
• 3⁄4 tsp salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 jar spaghetti sauce
• 1 can of tomatoes, diced and drained
• Parsley, chopped to garnish

 Directions

• Set aside 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese and 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella
• Combine garlic, green onions, chopped parsley, 1/2 cup Parmesan, egg, butter, ricotta, salt, Italian seasoning, and 3/4 cup mozzarella into a bowl. Mix this with the cooked spaghetti, and place it at the bottom of a casserole dish (see also ‘30 Easy Slow Cooker Casserole Recipes‘).
• Add tomatoes and spaghetti sauce to the spaghetti mixture
• Add 1/4 cup Parmesan and 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese, and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.
• Garnish with parsley before serving.

8. Easy Risotto

Putting together a risotto may look complex, but our super-simple recipe makes this a dream!

Ingredients

• 1 cup long grain rice
• 19 ounces of tomatoes with juice
• 1cup water
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1⁄2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp parsley flakes
• 2 cups cheddar cheese, grated

Directions

•  Combine rice, tomatoes, water, sugar, salt, and parsley flakes into a pan, and bring to a boil, stirring regularly.
• Simmer for around 20 minutes, until the rice is tender.
• Stir in the cheese until melted

9. Baked Ziti

This baked ziti is a classic Italian pasta dish that is simple to prepare and tastes amazing! It uses penne pasta so there is no need to worry about contaminating your kitchen.

The only thing you need to make this recipe is a good quality tomato sauce and some parmesan cheese.

Ingredients

• 300g penne pasta
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 500g beef or pork, ground
• 700g crushed tomatoes or passata
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 cup fresh mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced
• 1 cup fresh Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tsp fennel seeds 
• tbsp paprika (plain or sweet)
• /2 tsp cayenne pepper OR 3/4 tsp chili flakes (adjust to taste)
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp EACH salt and black pepper

Directions

• Cook pasta for the recommended time
• Make the sauce by heating oil, and add the onion and garlic. Cook for 2 minutes, or until the onion is translucent.
• Add the meat and cook, then add seasonings and cook for 2 minutes
• Add water, oregano, sugar, and passata, and allow to simmer. Then, reduce the heat and cook for 10 minutes.
• Add pasta to the sauce, and then add the pasta to a baking dish and add the remaining sauce, before topping with cheese.
• Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for 10 to 15 minutes. Garnish is desired. 

10. Sesame Grilled Salmon

For an exotic twist on traditional salmon, why not give this tasty dish a try?

Ingredients

• ¼ cup light soy sauce
• 1 ½ tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 pound salmon filets
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 2 teaspoons sesame seeds

Directions

• Whisk ginger, soy sauce, garlic, and honey in a bowl until the marinade is evenly mixed. Set aside 1/4 of the mixture.
• Place salmon fillets in a shallow dish with the remaining sauce. Cover and refrigerate for 5 minutes.
• Heat the sesame oil over medium-high heat.
• Remove salmon from the sauce, and cook in hot oil for 4 minutes. Flip and drizzle the reserved marinade over the salmon, and add the sesame seeds.
• Cook for 5 to 7 minutes. Flip salmon and remove skin on the other side. Cook for 1 minute.

11. Balsamic Cranberry Roast Chicken

Enjoy a twist on the classic roast chicken with this mouthwatering recipe.

Ingredients

• 2 cloves garlic
• ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
• 3 tbsps extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1½ cups cranberries, divided
• 8 pieces chicken
• Nonstick spray
• Salt and ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme, plus extra for finishing
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary, plus extra for finishing

Directions

• Blend garlic, vinegar, oil, soy sauce, and ½ cup of cranberries in a blender until smooth.
• Add the chickens to a zip-top bag, and add the sauce to the chicken. Close the bag and place in the fridge for 30 to 60 minutes.
• Grease a dish, and remove the chicken from the bag, saving the sauce. Place the sauce in a dish, skin down, and add salt, pepper, rosemary, and thyme. Add a cup of cranberries to the pan.
• Roast the chicken for 20 to 25 minutes. Flip chicken and brush with the sauce.
• Boost the oven to 425 degrees F and cook for 5 to 8 minutes. Serve immediately.

12. Baking Sheet Pizza With Olives And Tomatoes

Discover pizza so good that your guests will think it’s from Italy!

Ingredients

• ⅓ cup olive oil
• 1½ pounds of pre-prepared pizza dough
• 1⅓ cups of tomato sauce
• 1 cup Parmesan   
• 1 cup mozzarella 
• 1½ cups provolone cheese, diced
• ½ red onion
• 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes
• 1½ cups pitted marinated olives

Directions

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees, and grease a baking sheet. Stretch the pizza dough over the baking sheet and brush the surface with the remaining olive oil. Allow it to rest for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Spread the tomato sauce over the dough, and add the cheeses and provolone to the surface. Arrange the tomatoes, onion, and olives in a layer.
• Add the baking sheet to the oven and bake until the cheese is melted, for around 18 to 20 minutes.
• Cook for 5 to 10 minutes

13. Upside Down Lasagne

This delicious lasagne is perfect for entertaining guests as it can be made ahead of time. You will love how easy it is to put together.

Ingredients

• Lasagne sheets
• Béchamel Sauce
• Cheese Filling
• Parmesan Cheese
• Tomato Sauce
• Basil Pesto
• Olive Oil
• Garlic Powder
• Salt & Pepper

Directions

• Preheat the oven to 180°C. Grease a 23cm x 33cm rectangular baking dish.
• Lay out two lasagne sheets at one end of the dish, overlapping them slightly so that they cover most of the base. 
• Spread béchamel sauce over the bottom half of each sheet. 
• Top with a layer of parmesan cheese. 
• Repeat the layering process with another two lasagne sheets, béchamel sauce, and parmesan cheese.
• Spread tomato sauce over the top of the lasagne layers. Sprinkle basil pesto over the tomato sauce.
• Top with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Bake for 30 minutes.
• Top with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Bake for 30 minutes.
• Serve immediately.

14. Crawfish Pie

A delicious Southern dish that will suit tastebuds across the globe!

Ingredients

• Crawfish Tails
• Unsalted Butter
• Variety of vegetables
• Garlic
• All-purpose flour
• Fresh Thyme
• Fresh Parsley
• Salt & Pepper
• Chicken Broth
• Heavy Cream
• Pie Crust
• Egg
• Optional Cajun Seasoning

Directions

• Melt the butter, and add vegetables, cooking until tender.
• Add flour and seasoning, as well as the cream, and whisk well to remove any lumps. Simmer for around 5 minutes.
• Add the frozen peas and crawfish.
• Place a pie crust in the pan and add the filling, before adding a second crust on top. Close the sides with a fork and your fingers.
• Bake for around 30 to 40 minutes.

15. Herb-Crusted Lamb

Lamb is always a dish that goes down well – especially when it is prepared this beautifully!

Ingredients

• Rack of lamb
• Salt and pepper
• Olive oil
• Breadcrumbs
• Parsley
• Dijon mustard

Directions

• Allow the lamb to sit for around 20-30 minutes until at room temperature. Season generously with salt, pepper, and oil.
• Heat a pan over medium heat for two minutes, and sear the lamb on both sides.
• Whisk breadcrumbs, parsley, garlic, oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl, and mix until smooth. Coat the lamb with this mixture.
• Place the lamb on a baking sheet and cover with foil. Roast at 400 degrees F for between 25 and 30 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to check when done.
• Rest for 15 minutes, and then serve. 

 16. Venison Meatball and Wild Mushroom Ragout

Add an upgrade to a classic ragout with a touch of venison for added luxury.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp sunflower oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1/4 bunch dill, finely chopped
• 500g of venison mince
• 80g fresh white breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
• 60g butter, unsalted
• 400g mixed wild mushrooms
• 1/2 tsp sweet smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp tomato paste 
• 1 tbsp plain flour
• 400ml beef stock
• 1/3 cup (80ml) brandy
• 150g sour cream
• 400g tagliatelle
• 1 tbsp poppy seeds
• 2 tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley leaves

Directions

• Heat a tablespoon of oil in a pan over medium heat, and cook the onion until soft. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute, and then add the mixture to a bowl. Add dill, venison, egg, breadcrumbs, and 2 tablespoons of mustard, and season.
• Form the mixture into 30 meatballs and chill to firm.
• Heat a tablespoon of oil in a pan, and cook the meatballs in batches for between 6 and 7 minutes. Transfer to a plate, cover, and keep warm.
• Add 30g of butter to the pan and cook the mushrooms for between 4 and 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste, flour, and paprika and cook for one minute, before adding beef stock and brandy and cooking for 7-8 minutes until thick.
• Return meatballs to the pan, stir through sour cream and the remaining tablespoon of mustard, and cook for 5 minutes.
• Cook the pasta according to the instructions, drain and toss with poppy seeds, parsley, and butter.
• Divide and serve.

17. Easy Roast Chicken

Roast chicken is a classic dish, and our recipe makes it super simple to construct!

Ingredients

• 1 small bunch of rosemary or tarragon
• 90g of butter
• 1.7-2kg of chicken
• Salt and pepper
• 300ml chicken stock
• A good splash of red wine

Directions

• Place the herbs and 1 ounce of butter into the cavity of the chicken, and tie the legs with string.
• Weight the chicken to calculate the roasting time – this is 20 minutes per 500g, plus 20 minutes.
• Rub butter all over the chicken, and then sprinkle it with salt and pepper.
• Place the chicken into the roasting pan, and pour the stock into the bottom of the dish.
• Cover the chicken with foil, and roast at 190 degrees C for the calculated time. Baste at regular intervals, and turn the bird so that all sides are roasted.
• When the chicken is done, transfer it to a platter and cover it with foil. Allow to rest for 15 minutes.
• Carve, and serve with the rest of the cooking juices.

18. Black Bean And Tortilla Soup

Fast, filling, and super healthy, this is an easy meal that will look like you spent far longer on it than you did!

Ingredients

• 1⁄2medium yellow onion
• 2 tbsps vegetable oil
• 1 can black beans
• 1 can of green chilies and tomatoes
• 1 can vegetable broth
• 1 can of corn
• 1 tsp garlic salt
• 2 tsp chili powder
• 1⁄2 tsp ground cumin
• 4 tbsp sour cream
• 1 tbsp fresh cilantro (see also ‘28 Delicious And Refreshing Cilantro Recipes‘)

Directions

• Saute the onion in vegetable oil, and then add the broth, veggies, black beans, chili powder, cumin, and corn.
• Heat the mixture until it is almost boiling, and serve with 1 tablespoon of sour cream and fresh cilantro.

19. Simple Chili Mac

Mac and cheese is always a popular dish – so why not spice it up a little with this tasty chili variation?

Ingredients

• 1lb ground beef
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, pressed
• 1 can tomatoes, diced
• 1 can tomato sauce
• 4 tbsp chili powder
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 3 -4cups cooked macaroni
• 2 cups cheddar cheese
• 1⁄2 tsp salt

Directions

• Brown the beef, and add the onion and garlic to the pan.
• When the ground beef is cooked, drain the grease.
• Cook the macaroni according to the instructions, and drain when done.
• Add the tomato sauce and diced tomatoes, and stir, and then add the cumin and chili powder, as well as the macaroni, and stir well.
• Add salt if required, and stir.
• Serve with cheddar cheese.

20. Duck Confit With Spicy Raisins

Duck always looks far fancier than it is – and this easy recipe will leave your guests impressed!

Ingredients

• 8 skin-on, bone-in duck legs
• 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper plus more freshly cracked
• 2 tbsps salt
• 9 sprigs thyme, divided
• 1 ½ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes, divided
• ½ cup white wine vinegar
• ¼ cup sugar
• 2 tsp brown mustard seeds
• 1 sprig rosemary
• 1½ cup golden raisins

Directions

• Prick the skin of the duck legs all over, and rub with garlic, 1 teaspoon of pepper, and 2 tablespoons of salt.
• Preheat the oven to 250 degrees, and place the duck in a roasting pan, adding thyme sprigs, 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes, and half a cup of water.
• Cover the pan with foil, and cook for around 2 hours.
• Turn the duck over so that it is skin side up, and cook for another 2 to 2 ½ hours.
• Add sugar, vinegar, mustard seeds, a sprig of rosemary, a sprig of thyme, the rest of the chili flakes, a cup of water, and a teaspoon of salt to a pan and bring to the boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 3 minutes.
• Mix in the raisins, then remove from the heat and cool for 1 hour.
• Increase the oven temperature to 400 degrees, remove the duck, and place skin-side up in the fridge.
• Season with pepper, and roast for 30-35 minutes, before serving with raisins.

21. 30 Minutes Bouillabaisse

Enjoy the delicious taste of a bouillabaisse without any of the hassles in our simple recipe.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 leeks, halved and thinly sliced
• 1 fennel bulb, halved and thinly sliced, fronds reserved
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 cups seafood stock
• One 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes
• Zest and juice of 1 orange
• Pinch saffron
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 pounds cod, chopped
• 2 pounds shrimp, cleaned and peeled
• 2 pounds mussels, cleaned and debearded
• ½ cup chopped fresh parsley
• Crusty bread, for serving

Directions

• Heat oil over a medium heat, and add the leeks and fennel, cooking for around 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, and then add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
• Add the stock, tomatoes, orange juice, bay leaf, and saffron to the pan, and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes.
• Add the cod, and simmer for another 2 minutes. Add the mussels and shrimp, and cover the pot, simmering until cooked – for around 4 minutes.
• Stir in the parsley, and serve with the bread.

22. Easy Linguine And Mushroom Scallops

There is a common misconception that scallops have to be tricky – but this is far from the case!

Ingredients

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 12 oz linguine
• ¼ cup canola or vegetable oil
• 1 pound trumpet mushrooms, cut into ¾-inch-thick rounds
• ¼ cup chopped fresh chives
• 2 tbsps fresh lemon juice
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter

Directions

• Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil, and add salt and linguine before cooking until 3 minutes under the recommended cooking time.
• Scoop out a cup of pasta water, set it to one side, and drain the pasta.
• Heat the oil over a medium-high heat, add the mushrooms, and add a teaspoon of salt and pepper. Cook for 10-14 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Return ¾ of the saved pasta water to the pan with the cooked pasta, and cook for another 2 minutes, adding water if necessary.
• Remove from the heat and add the lemon juice, butter, chives ¼ teaspoon pepper, and a teaspoon of salt. Serve.

23. Sage-Barley Risotto

There is nothing more comforting than a warm risotto – and this sage and barley blend is the perfect option.

Ingredients

• 1 small butternut squash, peeled and cubed
• ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, smashed
• ¼ cup sage leaves
• 1½ cups pearl barley
• ½ cup white wine
• 6 cups vegetable stock
• 1 tsp red wine vinegar
• ¾ cup grated Asiago cheese, divided

Directions

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F, and lay the squash on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil, and add salt, pepper, and two tablespoons of oil. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large pan over medium to low heat, and add garlic, sage, and onion. Cook for 5 minutes.
• Add barley to the pan and saute for around 2 minutes. Add the white wine and cook until it bubbles, before adding a cup of vegetable stock, and stir continuously until this is absorbed. Repeat with the stock until all stock has been absorbed.
• Add ½ cup of Asiago and red wine vinegar and season with salt and pepper.
• Remove the squash, stir it into the risotto, and stir.

24. Cheaters Beef Stroganoff

Want to create a stunning stroganoff without the headache? Then this is the recipe for you.

Ingredients

• 1 stick of unsalted butter, divided
• 2 pounds beef tenderloin, halved lengthwise and cut into ½-inch strips
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 3 shallots, minced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1-quart button mushrooms, sliced
• 1½ cups beef broth (store-bought or homemade)
• 1½ tbsps Dijon mustard
• ½ cup sour cream
• ¼ cup fresh chopped fresh parsley
• 1 pound pappardelle
• ¼ cup chopped fresh dill

Directions

• Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a pan, and then season your beef with salt and pepper.
• Add the beef slices to the pan with layers, and sear for 1 ½ minute on each side, before adding the beef to a plate.
• Add three tablespoons of the butter to the pan and melt, and then add garlic and shallots. Saute for a minute and then add mushrooms for 5 minutes. Stir in the mustard and beef broth, and simmer over medium to low heat.
• Simmer the liquid to a sauce for around 8 to 10 minutes, add the beef and cook for 3 minutes before adding the parsley and sour cream.
• Bring a pan of salt water to the boil, and cook the pappardelle. Drain and toss with 2 tablespoons of butter, season with salt and pepper, and top with the stroganoff and dill.

25. Duck Breast And Apricot Chutney

For a lighter alternative to a classic duck, check out this mouthwatering chutney.

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 cups orange juice
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 2 packages (6 ounces each) of dried apricots, chopped
• 1/2 cup dried cherries
• 1/2 cup golden raisins
• 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger root
• 3/4 tsp ground coriander
• 3/4 tsp ground cumin
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1/8 tsp ground cloves
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• duck:
• 12 duck breast halves with skin (5 ounces each)
• 1-1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• orange sauce:
• 1/4 tsp minced garlic
• 1/2 cup Marsala wine
• 1/2 tsp cornstarch
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/3 cup chicken broth
• 2 tbsp grated orange zest
• 3 tbsp cold butter
• 1 tsp minced fresh basil

Directions

• Create the chutney by combining sugar and juice in a pan, and cooking over medium heat for 3 minutes. Add cherries, raisins, ginger, apricots, cumin, salt, pepper, coriander, and cloves, and bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat and cook for around 10 minutes, transfer to a bowl and stir in the lemon juice. Stand for 2 hours.
• Season both sides of the duck with salt and pepper, and saute for around 1 minute. Set aside a tablespoon of the drippings.
• Bake the duck for around 30 to 35 minutes at around 350 degrees.
• Create the orange sauce by sauteing garlic in the drippings for 1 minute, add the wine, and bring to a boil. Continue to cook until reduced by half.
• Blend orange juice, cornstarch, orange zest, and broth in a bowl, and add to the wine mixture to bring to a boil.
• Reduce the heat to a simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, add the basil and butter and whisk until smooth.
• Slice the duck, and serve with sauce and chutney.

26. Salmon And Tomato Traybake

Enjoy a healthy, delicious, and fast dinner that is still guaranteed to impress with this must-try dish.

Ingredients

• 1 red onion, sliced
• 200g cherry tomatoes
• 3 tbsp mild or madras curry paste
• 400g can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 2 skinless salmon fillets
• 1 large or 2 small naan bread
• 2 tbsp fat-free yogurt
• Lemon wedges and a few coriander leaves, to serve (optional)

Directions

• Heat the oven to 200 degrees C, and toss the tomatoes, onion, two tablespoons of curry paste, chickpeas, and 200ml water in a deep roasting tin. Roast for 15 minutes, stir, and then season.
• Add the remaining curry paste to the salmon filets. Add the salmon to the veg and roast for 8-10 minutes.
• Warm the naan bread, and then add the yogurt into the veg in the tin and serve with the salmon.

27. Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin

Enjoy a tasty twist on classic pork with this tasty tenderloin recipe.

Ingredients

For the bourbon sauce:

• 1 cup bourbon
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 2 tbsps Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 lemon, juice only
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

For the pork tenderloin

• 2-1 1/2 lb pork tenderloins
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 3 tbsps olive oil
• 3 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 8-10 slices regular cut bacon

Directions

• Create the bourbon sauce by combining sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, bourbon, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl and whisk. Bring to a simmer for 45 minutes, remove, and cool. Pour ¼ of this sauce into a separate bowl and set aside.
• Add oil, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, pepper, and garlic to a bowl, and rub into the tenderloins. Wrap bacon around the tenderloin, and heat on medium-high heat on the grill for 20-22 minutes, rotating every 4-5 minutes.
• Brush sauce over the top of the tenderloin, remove from the heat and rest for 10 minutes.

28. Baked Caprese Chicken 

Always a popular option with guests, this is a delicious dish that is designed to be prepared quickly and effortlessly.

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 Tbsps honey
• 1 cloves garlic minced
• 1 Tbsps olive oil
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/4 tsp salt
• Pinch of pepper
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 2 large tomatoes sliced
• 4 slices of mozzarella cheese
• Chopped basil for garnish

Directions

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and add the chicken to a pan.
• Whisk honey, garlic, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, Italian seasoning salt, and pepper in a bowl and pour this over the chicken.
• Add cherry tomatoes (see also ‘26 Easy Cherry Tomato Recipes‘) to the side and place slices on top.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes, adding cheese for the last 5 minutes, and serve with fresh basil.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, creating a delicious, fancy dish does not have to be tricky – our easy recipes mean that you can impress dinner guests in no time!

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are Some Sophisticated Dishes?

Some of the most sophisticated dishes include those made up of lamb and sauces, as well as scallops, salmon, and other types of fish.

What Equipment Do I Need To Get Started With These Dishes?

In the majority of cases, most of the dishes above can be created with a simple roasting dish or tin, as well as a few pans of varying sizes – remember, you don’t need expensive equipment to get started.

Which Is the Healthiest Oil For Cooking?

Where possible, you should opt for olive oil – this offers the most health benefits when cooking.