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The Absolute Best Dinner Recipes We Made This Year

skillet gnocchi with sausage and broccoli rabe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

Whether you’re having the best day ever or one that’s just kind of meh, something tasty and easy to make should always be on the menu. Here to inspire you are 21 of the best dinners that we made in 2017. (To be followed by our favorite desserts).

chickpea vegetable curry best recipe 2017
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

1.

Chickpea Vegetable Coconut Curry

Look up “curry in a hurry” in the dictionary and you’ll find a picture of this guy.

one pot 15 minute pasta limone recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

2.

One-Pot, 15-Minute Pasta Limone

Featuring ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.

easy coq au vin recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

3.

Cheater’s White Wine Coq au Vin

Tastes like it’s been bubbling away all day but is actually ready in under an hour.

pistachio crusted pork tenderloin with apple and escarole salad
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

4.

Pistachio-Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Apple and Escarole Salad

Aka how to get perfectly moist meat, every time.

roasted cauliflower macaroni and cheese recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

5.

Roasted Cauliflower Macaroni and Cheese

Better than the original (yep, we said it).

balsamic cranberry roast chicken best recipe of 2017
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

6.

Balsamic Cranberry Roast Chicken

Equally delicious with fresh or frozen berries. 

slow cooker stuffed shells recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

7.

Slow-Cooker Stuffed Shells

The only thing better than tucking into a plate of cheesy pasta? When making it requires practically zero effort.

rotisserie chicken ramen recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

8.

Rotisserie Chicken Ramen

Tastes so much better than the stuff you ate in college (but it’s just as easy to make).

 

hasselback butternut squash recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

9.

Hasselback Butternut Squash

Those crevices are perfect for catching the salty-sweet topping.

shrimp and cauliflower grits recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

10.

Shrimp and Cauliflower 'Grits'

Need a break from carbs? Try this. 

curry noodles with broccoli rabe and purple cabbage best recipe of 2017
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

11.

Curry Noodles with Broccoli Rabe and Purple Cabbage

So much more exciting than spaghetti with red sauce.  

2017 0308 tortellini soup liz andrew 811
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

12.

Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup

When two of our favorite dishes become one.

slow cooker french dip sandwiches recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

13.

Slow-Cooker French Dip Sandwiches

Perfect for game night (or any night).

sesame ginger salmon in parchment
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

14.

Sesame Ginger Salmon in Parchment

No washing up for you.

 

skillet gnocchi with sausage and broccoli rabe1
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

15.

Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe

Pour yourself a glass of red and buon appetito.

crispy baked fish tacos with cabbage slaw recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

16.

Crispy Baked Fish Tacos with Cabbage Slaw

Your favorite thing on the menu is surprisingly easy to whip up at home.

pasta alla norma recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

17.

Pasta Alla Norma

Still dreaming about that amazing dish you had in Italy last summer? Here’s the next best thing.

chicken and snap pea stir fry
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

18.

Chicken and Snap Pea Stir-Fry

Just five ingredients, folks.

skillet pasta with squash ricotta and basil recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

19.

Skillet Pasta with Squash, Ricotta and Basil

Fresh, creamy and oh-so-easy.

skillet steak with asparagus and potatoes recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

20.

Skillet Steak with Asparagus and Potatoes

There’s no need to feel nervous about cooking steak with this foolproof method. 

baked zucchini ziti recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

21.

Baked Zucchini 'Ziti' Spirals with Mozzarella

A lighter take on the classic.


Alexia Dellner profile shot v2

Executive Editor

  • Lifestyle editor focusing primarily on family, wellness and travel
  • Has more than 10 years experience writing and editing
  • Studied journalism at the University of Westminster in London, UK