Ten Impressive But Easy Dinner Recipes

Looking for a delicious dinner that will impress your family and friends, without requiring a culinary degree? These tried-and-true recipes are just what you need for kitchen domination!

1. Slow Cooker Tacos al Pastor

Gimme Some Oven / Via gimmesomeoven.com

This recipe couldn't be easier - simply puree some marinade ingredients, throw them over cubed pork shoulder in a slow cooker, and let time do all the work! Soon you'll have meltingly succulent and flavorful pork that you can use in tacos, quesadillas, burritos - anything your heart desires!

Slow Cooker Tacos al Pastor by Gimme Some Oven

2. Baked Gnocchi with Sausage and Kale

Two Peas and their Pod / Via twopeasandtheirpod.com

Gnocchi with sausage and kale in a creamy, cheesy pesto sauce - what's not to like? When this comes out of the oven bubbling and fragrant, you'll have everyone asking for the recipe!

Baked Gnocchi with Sausage and Kale by Two Peas and Their Pod

3. Honey Balsamic and Lemon Brussels Sprout Chicken with Goat Cheese Polenta

Half-baked Harvest / Via halfbakedharvest.com

When I made this chicken on a weeknight, my husband legitimately asked me if it was a special occasion! That's how delicious this recipe is! Polenta is really quick-cooking, and it makes a great backdrop for the sticky chicken and Brussels sprouts.

Honey Balsamic and Lemon Brussels Sprout Chicken by Half-Baked Harvest

4. Italian Ravioli with Spinach, Artichokes, Capers, and Sun-dried Tomatoes

Julia's Album / Via juliasalbum.com

Who knew store-bought ravioli could be this classy? Dress them up in a simple and zesty sauce, and they'll be a crowd-pleaser! You can even make this vegetarian recipe into a vegan one, by omitting the Parmesan, and making sure to use ravioli with a non-dairy filling.

Italian Ravioli with Spinach, Artichokes, Capers, and Sun-dried Tomatoes by Julia's Album

5. Spicy Shrimp and Grits Casserole

From a Chef's Kitchen / Via fromachefskitchen.com

Shrimp and grits is a classic Southern dish, but it can be a little fussy to make. This recipe streamlines the process into a delicious casserole that can even be made ahead of time! If you'd like it less spicy, you can always leave out the jalapeño, or replace it with a milder pepper (like a poblano or banana pepper).

Spicy Shrimp and Grits Casserole by From a Chef's Kitchen

6. Balsamic Peach Basil Chicken Salad with Crispy Prosciutto

Half-Baked Harvest / Via halfbakedharvest.com

Once you grill (or pan-sear) the peaches, chicken, and prosciutto, all that's left to do is shake up some dressing and toss the salad together! Your guests will drool over the decadent burrata cheese, flavorful chicken, and crispy prosciutto - and they never need to know how easy it was to make!

Balsamic Peach Basil Chicken Salad with Crispy Prosciutto by Half-Baked Harvest

7. Loaded Lamb Meatballs with Eggplant Hummus

Dish / Via dish.co.nz

This recipe is a little bit more hands-on than others on this list, but it's so scrumptious that I just had to include it. And if you want to make it easier, just use some store-bought hummus instead of the homemade eggplant version - the meatballs are so delicious that no one will know the difference!

Loaded Lamb Meatballs with Eggplant Hummus by Dish

8. Apple Gouda Stuffed Chicken with Smoky Sweet Potatoes

Rachel Cooks / Via rachelcooks.com

Sheet pan dinners are not only easy, but they leave you with hardly any clean-up! But when your guests see these classy stuffed chicken breasts, they'll think you slaved all day long. This is an especially great fall meal when apples are in season!

Apple Gouda Stuffed Chicken with Smoky Sweet Potatoes by Rachel Cooks

9. Thai Red Curry Tofu

A Beautiful Plate / Via abeautifulplate.com

Thai red curry is a surprisingly easy dish to make at home! This creamy, spicy-sweet vegetarian recipe can easily be bulked up with shrimp or chicken if you want to add meat, or if you don't like tofu.

Thai Red Curry Tofu by A Beautiful Plate

10. One-pot Chinese Chicken and Rice

Supergolden Bakes / Via supergoldenbakes.com

This one-pot, Chinese-inspired chicken casserole is full of flavor, and makes an impressive centerpiece at the table. The best part? There's only a single pot to wash after dinner!

One-pot Chinese Chicken and Rice by Supergolden Bakes