Are you tired of slaving away in the kitchen every night to put together a fancy dinner? Well, fear not! I’ve got you covered with a list of 15 dinner recipes that are not only fancy but also easy to make ahead. From creamy Tuscan chicken to red wine braised short ribs, there’s something for everyone on this mouthwatering menu. So get ready to impress your guests with these delicious dishes.
15 Fancy Dinner Recipes
1. Creamy Tuscan Chicken
This creamy Tuscan chicken recipe is a game-changer! Get ready for a flavour explosion! Picture tender, juicy chicken breasts, seared to golden perfection and indulgently smothered in a rich, creamy parmesan spinach sauce that will leave you craving more! With a medley of flavours like garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh parsley, this dish is a low-carb dream come true. Simply season your chicken, sear it in sun-dried tomato oil, create the creamy sauce with heavy cream (or go the lower-calorie route with evaporated milk), and let the magic happen as the spinach and parmesan cheese melt together in a symphony of deliciousness.
2. Quick and Scrumptious Beef Wellington
Get ready to channel your inner Gordon Ramsay with this scrumptious beef wellington recipe that is sure to impress even the pickiest of eaters. First, season your pound of beef fillet with a pinch of salt, black pepper, and a little English mustard for that extra kick of flavor. Sear the fillet in a pan until golden brown. Then, blend some chestnut mushrooms, chestnuts, garlic cloves, salt, and black pepper for a nutty and aromatic filling. Spread this mixture over slices of parma ham and layer your beef fillet on top before wrapping it all up in puff pastry. Pop it in the oven for 30 minutes at 200 degrees and it’s ready!
3. Salmon Wellington
Salmon Wellington is a showstopping dish that’s surprisingly easy to make ahead of a fancy dinner party. Think flaky puff pastry, tender salmon, and a flavorful spinach filling all baked to golden perfection. To create this impressive meal, you’ll need unsalted butter, Dijon mustard, lemon zest, kosher salt, black pepper, thyme, olive oil, baby spinach, garlic, parmesan cheese, egg yolk, frozen puff pastry, and salmon fillets. Begin by preheating the oven and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. Then, melt the butter with Dijon, lemon zest, salt, and pepper to create a tasty sauce.
4. Simple Turkey Meatloaf Recipe
This simple turkey meatloaf recipe is a game-changer for busy nights when you still want a fancy dinner without all the fuss. Made with ground turkey (opt for the 93/7 kind for maximum juiciness), sautéed onions, garlic, and a flavorful seasoning blend of paprika, thyme, and Worcestershire sauce, this meatloaf is both healthy and delicious. The secret to keeping it moist and not greasy? A sweet and tangy glaze that gets slathered on both inside and on top, ensuring every bite is packed with flavour. Plus, with the addition of breadcrumbs and eggs as binding agents, you have a perfectly tender loaf that even the pickiest eaters will love.
Related: 17 Creamy Pasta Recipes You Should Try For Dinner
5. Mexican Style Salmon Bowls
Southwest salmon bowls are the bomb dot com, y’all! just take some skinless salmon filets, rub ’em down with taco seasoning and olive oil, then cook ’em up until they’re perfectly blackened and delicious. While that’s sizzling away, make a quick black bean salsa with red bell pepper, jalapeños, black beans, corn, green onions, cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, and garlic. Once everything is ready to rock, divide some cooked brown rice among 4 bowls, and top it with the flavorful bean salsa and that tasty salmon.
6. Roasted Red Pepper, Spinach, and Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken
If you need a fancy dinner recipe that’s easy to make ahead, this is a must try this roasted red pepper, spinach, and mozzarella stuffed chicken. It’s a mouthwatering combination of flavours that will impress your guests without causing you any stress. Simply slice open some chicken breasts, stuff them with roasted red peppers, fresh spinach, and gooey mozzarella cheese, then brush with a delicious mix of olive oil, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Pop them in the oven and just 25-30 minutes, you’ll have a delicious and impressive dish ready to serve. Perfect for a dinner party or a cosy night in, this recipe is sure to be a hit!
7. Lemon Garlic Parmesan Chicken And Rice
If you’re craving a fancy dinner without the fuss, try this lemon garlic parmesan chicken and rice. This dish is bursting with flavor – juicy chicken, buttery parmesan rice, tangy feta cheese, garlicky tomatoes and spinach. And yes, it’s loaded with garlic, but trust me, it’s worth it. To make this delicious meal, prep your chicken with seasonings and grill or air fry. Make a garlic parmesan butter sauce for extra flavor, cook the rice, and sauté the veggies. Assemble everything on a plate, squeeze some lemon over the top. A restaurant-worthy meal that’s ready in just 30 minutes.
8. Red Wine Braised Short Ribs
These red wine braised short ribs are the ultimate fancy dinner, perfect for impressing your guests without breaking a sweat. Start with bone-in English-cut short ribs, searing them until they’re beautifully browned. Then, saute a trio of veggies – onion, carrot, and celery – until they’re caramelized to perfection. Add in some garlic, tomato paste, and Dijon mustard for depth of flavor. Pour in a luxurious combination of bold red wine and beef stock, along with fresh herbs like thyme and rosemary. Pop it in the oven to braise for a few hours until the meat is fall-off-the-bone tender. When it’s ready, serve these delectable short ribs over creamy mashed potatoes.
9. Ina Garten’s Roast Chicken
Ina Garten’s roast chicken is the ultimate dinner showstopper! Imagine this succulent 6 lb. whole chicken, seasoned with salt, pepper, thyme, garlic, and lemon, tied up with a bow of kitchen twine. As it roasts to golden perfection in the oven at 425° F, the kitchen fills with mouthwatering aromas that will have your family drooling. Meanwhile, a colorful bed of onions, carrots, and fennel roasts beneath the chicken, soaking up all those delicious juices. And let’s not forget about the gravy – a simple yet luxurious sauce made from the drippings that will have you licking your plate clean.
Related: 15 High Protein Dinner Ideas For Muscle Gain
10. Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast
Calling this spinach-stuffed chicken breast recipe a game-changer would be an understatement! With just 6 ingredients and 30 minutes, you can create a delicious and fancy dinner that will impress even the pickiest eaters. Start by seasoning the chicken with salt and pepper, then stuff it with a creamy mixture of spinach, cream cheese, and garlic. Sear the chicken in a skillet until golden brown, then top it off with tomato slices and mozzarella cheese before baking to perfection. The result? tender chicken with a gooey, melted cheese topping that will have everyone coming back again and again. Trust me, this recipe is a winner!
11. Duck Breast a L’Orange with Oven Roasted Potatoes
Duck breast a l’orange with oven-roasted potatoes is the perfect fancy dinner recipe that’s surprisingly easy to make ahead. Indulge in a culinary delight! Picture juicy duck breasts, crisped to perfection and lavishly smothered in a luscious sweet orange sauce that’s sure to delight your senses! And let’s not forget about those oven-roasted potatoes – crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and seasoned to perfection. This dish may sound intimidating, but it’s easy and worth it. Just toss those potatoes in the oven, sear your duck breasts on the stovetop, make the orange sauce, and voila – a gourmet meal that will impress even the pickiest of eaters. You’ll love it when you paired with favorite wine.
12. The Viral Sushi Bake
If you’re a sushi lover but intimidated by those intimidating rolls, fear not! Enter the viral sensation that is sushi bake. This deconstructed sushi roll combines creamy crab, hot sushi rice, spicy mayo, furikake, and green onions for a flavour explosion that will have you coming back for more. And the best part? It’s a breeze to make, taking just 30 minutes from start to finish. All you need is some cooked sushi rice, crab meat, mayo, cream cheese, furikake, and a sprinkle of green onions for garnish. Simply layer the ingredients in a baking dish, pop it in the oven for a quick bake, and voila – you’ve got yourself a fancy dinner that’s easy to make ahead.
13. Extra Creamy Lobster Mac and Cheese
I’m not usually one to brag (okay, maybe just a little), but this extra creamy lobster mac and cheese recipe is a game-changer. Think about this cheesy, creamy goodness loaded with tender lobster. Are you drooling yet? The ingredients are simple – pasta, butter, flour, seasonings, milk, and a whole lotta cheese – because let’s be real, you can never have too much cheese. Cook the pasta, make a luscious cheese sauce, mix in the lobster, top with breadcrumbs, and bake until bubbly and golden brown. You’ve just made a fancy dinner that’s easy to make ahead.
Related: 21+ Easy Dinner Recipes For A Family With Kids
14. Lemon and Dill Butter Garlic Chicken and Asparagus
In this lemon and dill butter garlic chicken and asparagus recipe, you’ve got all the fancy dinner vibes without the headache of slaving away in the kitchen. Imagine a culinary dream come true! Tender asparagus and juicy chicken unite, smothered in a zesty lemon and dill sauce that’s sure to delight your senses and leave you craving more! Heat some oil, sizzle up that asparagus until it’s perfectly tender, then cook your chicken in butter until golden brown. Add in garlic, red pepper flakes for a kick, chicken broth, lemon juice, and fresh dill for a flavor explosion. Serve it up with a side of laughter and enjoy the compliments that will be rolling in faster than you can say ‘dinner is served!
15. Lemon Butter Scallops
For the lemon butter scallops recipe, grab some unsalted butter, sea scallops, garlic, lemon juice, and parsley. Melt that butter in a cast iron skillet and cook up those scallops until they’re golden brown and delicious. In a separate pan, make a zesty lemon butter sauce with garlic and lemon juice. Pour that lovely sauce over your scallops and garnish with some fresh parsley. Voila! You’ve got yourself a fancy, yet oh-so-easy dinner that’s sure to impress. Just make sure to save some for yourself before your guests gobble it all up!
Final Thoughts
Well, there you have it! Fifteen fancy dinner recipes that are easy to make ahead. Whether you’re in the mood for something indulgent like Beef Wellington or something simple like Turkey Meatloaf, there’s a dish on this list for everyone. I hope you feel inspired to prepare one of these delicious meals for your next dinner party or date night. Bon appétit!
