50 Secretly Easy Dinners That Look Really Impressive
Hey, wouldn’t it be awesome if there were a recipe that required practically zero work but turned out stunning and delicious every time? Oh wait, it exists. In fact, we found 50 of them just for you.
1. Balsamic Cranberry Roast Chicken
Colorful and almost completely hands-off.
2. Brown Butter Scallops with Parmesan Risotto
Psst: Searing scallops takes six minutes flat.
3. Pistachio-Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Apple and Escarole Salad
All you need is a little over half an hour.
4. Baking-Sheet Pizza with Olives and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Tastes like it was made in an ancient stone pizza oven. (Spoiler: It wasn’t.)
5. Pomegranate-Maple Glazed Lamb Chops
As easy to cook as chicken (seriously).
6. Miso Baked Eggplant with Black Rice Salad
Sesame seeds make everything look fancy.
7. Tomato Soup in Grilled Cheese Bread Bowls
Here’s how to be the cool mom.
8. Quiche with Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Crust
There’s no need to make homemade dough.
9. Pan-Roasted Chicken with Shallots and Dates
Wow everyone with this irresistibly salty-sweet duo.
10. Spicy Turkey Enchiladas with Pumpkin Seeds
Jump-start the cheesy deliciousness with shredded turkey (or rotisserie chicken).
11. Cheater’s White Wine Coq au Vin
Great news, you don’t have to be Julia Child to pull it off.
12. Kale Cobb Salad
Ooh, we never thought of adding fruit to the mix.
13. 15-Minute Buffalo Chicken Sliders
They look and taste mega gourmet.
14. Roasted Beet Tartare
Cue the white tablecloths.
15. Grilled Flatbread Pizza with Artichoke, Ricotta and Lemon
Sometimes you want the delicious flavor of pizza without all the work.
16. Ginger-Pineapple Shrimp Stir-Fry
Twenty minutes and you’re totally done.
17. One-Pot Pasta Limone
Throw the ingredients together, boil ’em and get ready to eat.
18. 15-Minute Cucumber Avocado Blender Soup
A cheesy baguette takes this dish over the top.
19. Moules-Frites (Steamed Mussels and Fries)
It takes 30 minutes, max.
20. Salmon Bowl with Farro, Black Beans and Tahini Dressing
Class things up when you’re dining solo.
21. Skillet Steak with Asparagus and Potatoes
You love ordering sirloin at restaurants; now you can make it at home.
22. Meatball Shakshuka
The delicious mash-up we never knew we needed.
23. Spicy Shrimp Tacos with Mango Salsa
We’ll take our seafood wrapped in tortillas from here on out.
24. 15-Minute Mezze Plate with Toasted Za’atar Pita Bread
Like one of those fancy sharing plates you’d get at a restaurant.
25. Kale Salad with Crispy Chickpeas
Dish up this beauty on your largest platter.
26. Pan-Fried Cod with Orange and Swiss Chard
News flash: Cooking fish doesn’t have to be tricky or time-consuming.
27. Roasted Beet and Carrot Lentil Salad with Feta, Yogurt and Dill
We’re getting serious Yotam Ottolenghi vibes.
28. Cheater’s Skillet Paella
We hacked this classic Spanish dish so it uses one pan and takes an hour. You’re welcome.
29. Pork Scallopini with Lemon, Capers and Radicchio
If you have pantry staples on hand, it comes together with just five ingredients.
30. White Turkey Chili with Avocado
Presenting the smartest way to cook for a crowd.
31. Skillet Roast Chicken with Peaches and Tomatoes
Surprise and delight.
32. Vegan Pumpkin Baked Ziti
Assemble it in advance and pop it into the oven before serving.
33. Mediterranean Couscous with Tuna and Pepperoncini
Looks exotic but takes virtually no effort to make.
34. Thai Beef Bowls with Rice Noodles
Just as healthy as a salad but about a billion times more flavorful.
35. Baked Sesame-Ginger Salmon in Parchment
Love cooking but hate doing dishes? (Join the club.)
36. Lemony Broccolini Pasta
As easy as jarred marinara—but five times as classy.
37. Chicken Shawarma Sandwich
Way more impressive than a burger.
38. Shrimp with Cauliflower 'Grits' and Arugula
Lose the carbs but keep the flavor (in just 30 minutes).
39. 15-Minute Cheater’s Pad Thai
Way faster and fresher than takeout.
40. One-Pan Steak with Beets and Crispy Kale
Just assemble the ingredients on a baking sheet and pop it in the oven.
41. Pasta Alla Norma
Even the name sounds shmancy.
42. Beer Braised Steak Nachos with Pickled Onions and Pico de Gallo
Hello, slice of heaven.
43. Rotisserie Chicken Ramen
The instant stuff is all grown up.
44. Baked Chicken and Mushroom Risotto
Who has time to stand over a hot stove and stir (and stir and stir)?
45. Ravioli Lasagna
Plus, it’s already perfectly portioned.
46. Cuban Sliders for a Crowd
Easier than making a turkey cold-cut sandwich.
47. 'Everything' Chicken
Our favorite seasoning strikes again.
48. Bulgur with Roasted Butternut Squash, Sage and Goat Cheese
Flavorful, warming and easy to prep.
49. Lemon-Rosemary Sheet Pan Cornish Hens
Find something that looks fancier. We dare you.
50. Mashed Potato Fritters with Smoked Salmon and Chives
The best way to put leftovers to work.
