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.
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.)
6. Miso Baked Eggplant with Black Rice Salad
Sesame seeds make everything look fancy.
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.
15. Grilled Flatbread Pizza with Artichoke, Ricotta and Lemon
Sometimes you want the delicious flavor of pizza without all the work.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.)
38. Shrimp with Cauliflower 'Grits' and Arugula
Lose the carbs but keep the flavor (in just 30 minutes).
40. One-Pan Steak with Beets and Crispy Kale
Just assemble the ingredients on a baking sheet and pop it in the oven.
42. Beer Braised Steak Nachos with Pickled Onions and Pico de Gallo
Hello, slice of heaven.
44. Baked Chicken and Mushroom Risotto
Who has time to stand over a hot stove and stir (and stir and stir)?
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.
