Here’s What to Cook Every Night This Week (April 29 – May 5)

Have you ever improvised a dinner party and realized too late that you didn’t make enough for everyone at the table? Instead of shrinking down the portions so everyone can get some, next time, lean on the following seven crowd-pleasing dishes that serve five to eight people. Whether you have a big family, unexpected guests or a penchant for leftovers, these big-batch ideas are sure to please.

Mini mozzarella balls, juicy tomatoes, fresh basil and tender orecchiette, doused in balsamic-mustard dressing—that’s amore. This make-ahead delight is not only easy to transport and delicious both hot or cold, but it also feeds eight people and takes 30 minutes to put together.

Take advantage of spring’s bounty by putting fresh peas front and center. (Frozen peas, while convenient, will add too much water to the frittata, so skip ’em this time.) Serve this elegant vegetarian gem alfresco—and with a bottle of white.

Hello, comfort food. The picky eaters at your table just might ask for a second helping of this nostalgic mashup. It stars not one, but *three* types of cheese: mild fresh mozzarella, savory Boursin and gooey white cheddar.

Because the lemon-garlic-olive oil treatment is feeling a bit played out. Make the cashew-lime crema and grilled pineapple salsa ahead to save time before dinner, and pile the tacos high with pickled onions, cabbage and avocado slices for good measure.

Dinner is 15 minutes away. It starts with a simple, citrusy lemon butter infused with a generous dose of fresh garlic. Once it’s fragrant, the shrimp are quickly sautéed, then served with rice, bread and lemon wedges for spritzing. (Dressed greens or grilled veggies would pair nicely, too.)

You won’t be cooking it over a fiery cauldron the way generations of nonnas did before, but this simplified, protein-packed version will be just as tasty. Don’t let the sauce’s rich texture fool you: Egg yolks are the key to its thickness, not heavy cream.