12 Dinner Recipes That Will Impress Your Guests (Even If You’re Not a Chef!)

Are you looking for some of the best dinner ideas to make your evening memorable? We have got you covered!

The meal ideas listed below are accompanied by their own simple recipes to help make dinner prep a breeze, from romantic dinner ideas for two, or something the entire family will love.

Best Romantic Dinner Ideas

With a little bit of wine to liven' the evening up, here are some easy and delicious dinner ideas.

1. Marry Me chicken 

While one of you looks up why this recipe has this name, make sure you have the following ingredients:

• 3 large skinless chicken breasts in cutlets
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 1 cup heavy cream or ½ cup of grated parmesan cheese
• 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour, salt and pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• Chili flakes, ¼ teaspoon dried oregano and ¼ teaspoon of thyme
• ⅓ cup chopped sundried tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon fresh basil leaves
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

• Take the chicken cutlets and season them with salt along with pepper then dredge them in flour. When you are done, shake off the excess.
• Heat olive oil in a skillet and melt the butter in medium butter. Coat the pan with oil and butter evenly.
• Brown the chicken until it is golden brown which is around 4 to 5 minutes then set it aside on a platter.
• Sauté the garlic then add the chicken stock and deglaze the pan.
• Regulate heat to medium low then add the heavy cream and parmesan cheese to the skillet. Simmer the sauce for a couple of minutes then use chili flakes, thyme and oregano to season.
• Season with salt and pepper with an addition of sundried tomatoes. Place the chicken back in the sauce until it thickens as it simmers.
• Garnish with fresh basil leaves.
• You can serve with rice, mashed potatoes or pasta.

2. Butter-basted Sirloin Steak

What's a date night without a steak?

• 12 ounce sirloin steak
• 12 ounce parsnip
• ¼ ounce rosemary
• 5 ounce spinach
• 2 tablespoon sour cream containing milk
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 tablespoon butter with milk
• 2 tablespoon vegetable oil
• Unit kosher salt
• Unit pepper

Directions

• After washing and drying all produce, preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• Peel the parsnips and cut to 3 inches long. From the stems, strip the rosemary leaves and chop them. Slice the garlic crosswise into thin slices.
• Place parsnips, half the rosemary, pour a drizzle of oil and a pinch of rosemary and pepper on a baking sheet. Roast for 20 to 25 minutes while tossing.
• Over medium high heat, pour and heat a drizzle of oil on a pan. Season the steak with salt and pepper to your liking and place on the pan to cook for 3 to 6 minutes on each side.
• Regulate the heat such that it is low and add 2 tablespoons of butter, half of the garlic and the remainder of the rosemary. Spoon the butter, garlic and rosemary on the streak for 1 to 2 minutes them remove it to rest for 5 minutes, loosely covered with aluminum foil to keep it warm.
• Under the same pan, regulate the heat again to medium. Add the remainder of the garlic and cook for 30 seconds then add spinach and wait for 3 to 4 minutes until it is wilted. Remove pan to cool, stir in sour cream and season with salt and pepper.
• Slice the steak and divide it with parsnips and spinach on different plates or platters.

3. Turkey Piccata 

With all its deliciousness, it is impossible to save turkey only for the holidays.

And what better time to have it, if not with your significant other?

• 1 whole turkey breast
• ½ cup all purpose flour
• 2 tablespoon olive oil
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
• Kosher salt
• ½ cup white wine
• ⅓ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley leaves

Directions

• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees.
• Cut the turkey breast in half inch pieces and place them between two pieces of plastic wrap. Drizzle the meat and the top of the plastic wrap with water and then pound to ⅛ inch thickness and not less.
• Season the turkey pieces with salt and pepper, dip in flour, shaking off the excess.
• Heat pan to medium high heat, heat olive oil and 4 tablespoon of butter. When it gets hot (not smoking), brown the turkey for 1 minute on each side. Place in an oven to stay warm.
• Regulate the heat to low. Add shallots to the pan and sauté 1 to 2 minutes until they turn translucent. Add to it wine and lemon juice to heat slightly for two minutes then add the remainder of the butter, about two tablespoons and mix. You can season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Pour the sauce on the turkey and sprinkle the parsley.
• Serve immediately with roasted potatoes, buttered noodles, sautéed mushrooms, rice or sautéed spinach to add include veggies.

4. Earl Grey Crème Brûlèe

Anything French is everything romantic.

• 2½ cups heavy cream
• 3 to 4 bags earl grey tea
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 5 large egg yolks
• ¼ tablespoon kosher salt
• ⅓ cup and 4 tablespoons granulated sugar

Directions

• Add the cream and salt to a saucepan and bring them to a low boil until steaming. Remove. Add tea bags, cover and steep for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove and discard the tea bags.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees and bring 4 to 5 cups of water to boil.
• Whisk the egg yolks and a ⅓ cup sugar or ½ to make it sweeter until it has all combined.
• Place the steeped cream over medium heat till steaming then remove and stir in vanilla
• Whisk about ½ cup of the cream in the egg yolks. Whisk them constantly.
• Add in the remaining cream and resume whisking.
• Put the ramekins inside a large baking dish and divide the batter between 4 ramekins. Fill the large dish halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Bake the smaller ramekins for 30 minutes and 40 minutes for the larger ramekins. Refrigerate for four hours to a day.
• When ready, top each with 1 to 2 tablespoons of sugar depending on how sweet you want it. Place the ramekins under a broiler till the sugar melts and is a dark brown.
• Crème brûlèe goes well with fruits for that healthy food touch or you can side it with rice pudding.

5. Mushroom Stroganoff 

With your preferred mushroom, mushroom stroganoff is prepared all in one pot and is the relaxing plant based meal you need to comfort you at night.

• 16 ounces egg noodles
• 4 cups sliced mushrooms
• 2 tablespoon all purpose floor
• ½ cup white wine
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 large thinly sliced onion
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• 1 tablespoon vegetable/chicken or beef bouillon
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 bay leaf

Directions

• Cook the pasta according to the guidelines and reserve 1 cup of the cooking water.
• Add olive oil and butter on a large pan that is on medium high heat until it melts.
• Add the onions, salt and pepper and sauté until onions are translucent then remove them from pan and set aside.
• Add mushrooms and cook on medium high heat until golden brown for about 3 to 4 minutes without stirring.
• Stir the mushrooms until they are browned and soft.
• Add garlic, thyme, flour, onion powder and paprika and then the onions – set aside. Stir to completely combine. Sauté for 3 more minutes.
• Pour in white wine and deglaze the pan as it cooks.
• Add vegetable bouillon, the remaining cup of pasta water, Worcestershire sauce, and the bay leaf and let them cook for 5 minutes.
• Add heavy cream, stir and let cook for 3 minutes then remove the bay leaf.
• And more salt and pepper to add to the taste. Toss with pasta then top with chopped parsley.

6. Sausage and Broccoli Quinoa Bowl

The perfect combination of tastiness and healthiness for you and your significant other.

• 4 Italian sausages
• 1 large broccoli crown
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon oil
• Kosher salt
• Pepper
• 1 red quinoa
• 1 plain yoghurt
• 1 finely chopped scallion
• ½ finely chopped fresh mint
• 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
• 2 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Poke sausages all over, toss with 1 teaspoon of olive oil, place on the baking sheet and roast for 5 minutes.
• Add broccoli tossed with 1 tablespoon of oil, salt and pepper. Roast till sausage is golden brown and broccoli is lightly charred. Transfer sausages to slice.
• Cook quinoa as per the instructions on the package.
• Mix yoghurt with scallion, mint, lemon zest, and juice.
• Spoon quinoa in bowls, top with sausages and broccoli and dollop with yoghurt sauce.

Best Family Dinner Ideas

1. Beef Stew

Beef stew is the classic homemade family dinner.

• 2 pounds meat cut in cubes
• 2 tablespoon canola oil
• Chopped onions
• Diced tomatoes
• 3 tablespoons quick cooking tapioca.
• 1 cup condensed beef broth
• 1 minced garlic clove
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• 6 medium carrots
• 3 medium potatoes
• 1 cup sliced celery

Directions

• Brown the beef in oil in an oven.
• Return meat to the pan and add the tomatoes, onions, broth, tapioca, garlic, parsley, salt, pepper and bay leaf. Bring them to boil.
• Cover and bake at 350 degrees.
• Stir in carrots, potatoes and celery. Bake for one hour till meat and the vegetables are tender.
• Remove bay leaf.
• Serve with rice or pasta.

2. Sheet Pan Chicken Parmesan

The perfect crowd pleaser.

• 3 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 all purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon granulated garlic
• Kosher salt and pepper
• 2 c. panko
• 2 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
• 4 5-ounce boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
• 2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• Marinara sauce
• Mozzarella cheese

Directions

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
• Rub baking sheet with 1 tablespoon oil.
• Put flour in the first shallow bowl. In the second, add eggs, garlic, 2 tablespoon of water, and ¾ teaspoon salt. In the third bowl, mix panko with ⅓ cup parmesan and toss with remaining tablespoon oil.
• Toss chicken with lemon juice, dip in flour, egg mixture, and last the panko mixture.
• Place chicken to the oiled baking sheet and roast till its golden brown from 12 to 18 minutes.
• Heat the broiler and spoon marinara sauce over the chicken, sprinkle with mozzarella and 2 tablespoons of parmesan.
• Broil until cheese has melted and turned golden brown in spots for 3 to 4 minutes.
• Serve

3. Baked Spaghetti 

You can prepare the pasta ahead of time and refrigerate it until you are ready to bake it which is perfect for the whole family when there is not enough time to prepare something that takes longer.

• Cooking spray
• 16 ounces dried spaghetti
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce
• 1 (15-ounce) container full-fat ricotta cheese
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup (3 ounces) finely grated Parmesan cheese
• 4 cups (16 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 large eggs

Directions

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and coat the baking dish with cooking spray.
• Boil a large pot of water.
• Cook spaghetti according to instructions.
• Heat oil in a skillet until shimmering then add beef and season with the remaining salt. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes till brown. Break meat into smaller pieces till it's fully brown.
• Remove and stir in marinara.
• Drain pasta and let it cool.
• Stir ricotta, Italian seasoning and garlic together.
• Whisk eggs and parmesan cheese then add the drained spaghetti.
• Place half of the pasta in a dish, dollop with half of the ricotta mixture and spread. Spoon half of the meat and spread over ricotta then sprinkle with ½ of the cheese.
• Repeat the same process of layering.
• Cover dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover them keep cooking till edges are bubbling and cheese is brown in spots for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Let cool for 5 minutes then serve.

4. Spinach and Artichoke Mac and Cheese

The perfect way to sneak in veggies.

• 2 tablespoon butter
• 2 garlic cloves
• 145g spinach
• 175g artichoke heart
• 3 cups milk
• 2 tablespoon kosher salt
• 2 tablespoon black pepper
• 200g elbow macaroni
• ¾ cup shredded cheese
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions

• Preheat oven to 450°F.
• Melt butter, add garlic and spinach, then artichokes when spinach is wilted.
• Add milk, salt and pepper and stir until boiling.
• Add macaroni and cook until milk coats it like a glaze.
• Add cheddar and 2 cups mozzarella until it melts.
• Sprinkle remaining mozzarella.
• Bake for seven minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

5. Lasagna with Meat Sauce

It is the ultimate Italian make-ahead family meal.

• 1 ½ cups ricotta cheese
• 6 ounces mozzarella cheese
• ¼ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped oregano
• 1 large egg
• 12 ounces extra-lean ground beef
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1 ½ tablespoons melted unsalted butter
• 1 jar marinara sauce
• 5 garlic cloves
• 6 lasagna noodles
• 1 ounce Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
• Cooking spray

Directions

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Mix ricotta, 2 ounces of mozzarella, 2 tablespoon parsley, oregano, 1 garlic clove, butter, egg.
• Place ground beef over medium high heat, toss pepper over and remaining 4 garlic cloves. Cook till beef is browned and drain.
• Return beef to pan, add marinara sauce then remove from heat.
• Put ½ cup of meat sauce in broiler coated with cooking spray. Cut third bottom off each noodle to make 6 long and 6 short noodles. Add 2 noodles on the edges and arrange 4 at the center.
• Top the noodles with 1 cup meat sauce and then 2 long and 4 short noodles, add ricotta mixture then 1 cup meat sauce again.
• Arrange remaining 2 long and 4 short noodles on top. Spread the remaining meat sauce over, sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Cover with foil coated with cooking spray. Bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for 10 more minutes.
• Regulate the broiler with lasagna to high for 1 to 2 minutes until cheese is golden brown. Remove and set aside for 10 minutes.
• Sprinkle with remaining parsley and cut in 6 pieces.

6. Barbecued Chicken with Roasted Corn Pudding

The ideal summer dish.

• 8 ears fresh corn
• Kosher salt
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoon tarragon and leaves.
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion
• 8 small chicken legs
• 1/2 cup barbecue sauce

Directions

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees and grill to high heat.
• Grill corn until charred then transfer. Reduce grill to medium.
• Cut kernels off the cob.
• Heat oil on medium heat, add onion, raw kernels, ½ teaspoon salt and cook for five minutes.
• Add cream until it boils, lower heat and simmer until it’s think and reduces.
• Puree corn mixture until it's smooth with an immersion blender while adding egg to mix.
• Fold in charred corn and tarragon and transfer to baking dish.
• Bake for 10 to 15 minutes until top browns then sprinkle tarragon leaves.
• Season chicken with ½ teaspoon salt and pepper then grill, covered, and turning often for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Uncover and baste with barbecue sauce and grill for 5 to 7 minutes till it is done.
• Serve and enjoy.

You can decide to add a touch of veggies to any dinner recipe .

Amidst everything, have fun preparing and eating and enjoy some easy and fun dinner ideas listed.

This article was produced and syndicated by Wealth of Geeks.

Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock.