Dinnertime is often a time for families and friends to gather and connect. It’s a time to share stories, laugh, and enjoy delicious food. But sometimes, coming up with new and exciting dinner recipes can be a challenge. So, we’ve compiled a list of the best dinner recipes of all time, from classic comfort food to more adventurous cuisine. These recipes are sure to please everyone at the table, regardless of their dietary preferences or culinary skills.
Classic Comfort Food
There’s nothing quite like a comforting meal after a long day. These classic dishes are sure to warm your heart and soul:
1. Shepherd’s Pie
A hearty and satisfying meal, Shepherd’s Pie is made with ground meat, vegetables, and a creamy mashed potato topping. It’s perfect for a cold winter night and can be easily adapted to use different types of meat and vegetables.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef or lamb
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (10.75 oz) can beef broth
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 4 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Brown the ground meat in a large skillet over medium heat. Drain off any excess fat.
- Add the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Bring to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
- While the meat mixture is cooking, prepare the mashed potatoes. Boil the potatoes in salted water until tender, about 15 minutes.
- Drain the potatoes and mash with the milk, butter, salt, and pepper.
- Spread the meat mixture in a 9×13 inch baking dish. Top with the mashed potatoes.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the potatoes are golden brown and heated through.
2. Macaroni and Cheese
A classic comfort food that everyone loves, Macaroni and Cheese is a simple but satisfying dish that can be made with a variety of cheeses and spices. It’s perfect for a weeknight meal or a potluck.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb elbow macaroni
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups milk
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup bread crumbs
- 2 tbsp melted butter
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Cook the macaroni according to package directions.
- While the macaroni is cooking, melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Gradually whisk in the milk, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly. Cook for 5 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
- Remove from heat and stir in the cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, and Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
- Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir to combine.
- Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
- In a small bowl, combine the bread crumbs and melted butter. Sprinkle over the macaroni and cheese.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and heated through.
3. Chicken Pot Pie
A warm and comforting meal, Chicken Pot Pie is a classic dish that’s perfect for a cold day. It’s made with a flaky pie crust filled with tender chicken, vegetables, and a creamy sauce.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (10.75 oz) can cream of chicken soup
- 1 (10.75 oz) can condensed milk
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 (14.1 oz) package refrigerated pie crusts
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- In a large pot, combine the chicken breasts, onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Add enough water to cover the chicken and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
- Remove the chicken from the pot and shred it with two forks.
- In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup, condensed milk, chicken broth, parsley, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Pour the chicken mixture into a 9-inch pie plate.
- Unroll the pie crusts and place one crust over the chicken mixture. Crimp the edges to seal.
- Cut several slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is heated through.
International Cuisine
Step outside of your comfort zone and explore the world of flavors with these delicious international recipes:
4. Pad Thai
A popular Thai street food, Pad Thai is a stir-fried noodle dish made with rice noodles, shrimp, tofu, eggs, and a sweet, tangy, and savory sauce. It’s a flavorful and satisfying meal that’s perfect for a quick and easy dinner.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb rice noodles
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 (14 oz) package extra-firm tofu, drained and pressed
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 cup chopped garlic
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/4 cup chopped green onion
- 1/4 cup fish sauce
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp chili garlic sauce
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Soak the rice noodles in warm water for 30 minutes, or until soft.
- In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the shrimp and cook until pink and opaque, about 3 minutes.
- Add the tofu to the skillet and cook for 5 minutes, or until browned.
- Push the shrimp and tofu to the side of the skillet and crack the eggs into the empty space. Scramble the eggs until cooked through.
- Add the onion and garlic to the skillet and cook until softened, about 2 minutes.
- Add the noodles, fish sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, chili garlic sauce, cilantro, and green onion to the skillet. Stir to combine.
- Cook for 5 minutes, or until the noodles are heated through and the sauce is thickened.
- Serve immediately.
5. Chicken Tikka Masala
A popular Indian dish, Chicken Tikka Masala is made with tender, marinated chicken that’s cooked in a creamy tomato-based sauce with a blend of spices. It’s a flavorful and satisfying meal that’s perfect for a special occasion.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 1 tbsp garam masala
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (14.5 oz) can coconut milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp butter
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine the chicken, yogurt, garam masala, cumin, coriander, turmeric, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- Place the chicken in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through.
- While the chicken is baking, heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, coconut milk, and heavy cream. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
- Add the cooked chicken to the sauce and stir to combine.
- Serve immediately, garnished with fresh cilantro.
6. Sushi
A classic Japanese dish, Sushi is a popular and versatile meal that can be made with a variety of fillings, from fresh seafood to vegetables. It’s a healthy and delicious option that’s perfect for a light lunch or dinner.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup sushi rice
- 1 1/4 cups water
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- Nori seaweed sheets
- Assorted fillings, such as salmon, tuna, avocado, cucumber, and crabmeat
- Wasabi paste
- Soy sauce
- Pickled ginger
Instructions:
- Rinse the sushi rice in a strainer until the water runs clear.
- Combine the rice and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the rice is cooked through.
- Transfer the rice to a large bowl and let it cool slightly.
- In a small saucepan, combine the rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. Bring to a simmer and cook for 1 minute, or until the sugar is dissolved.
- Pour the vinegar mixture over the rice and gently stir to combine.
- Lay a sheet of nori seaweed on a bamboo rolling mat.
- Spread a thin layer of rice over the nori, leaving a 1/2-inch border at the top.
- Place your desired fillings on the rice, leaving a 1/2-inch border at the bottom.
- Roll the sushi up tightly, using the bamboo mat to help you.
- Cut the sushi roll into 6-8 pieces with a sharp knife.
- Serve immediately with wasabi, soy sauce, and pickled ginger.
Desserts
No dinner is complete without a delicious dessert! These sweet treats are sure to satisfy your cravings:
7. Chocolate Chip Cookies
A classic American dessert, Chocolate Chip Cookies are a simple but delicious treat that everyone loves. They’re perfect for a quick and easy dessert or for a special occasion.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugars until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Stir in the chocolate chips.
- Drop by rounded tablespoons onto ungreased baking sheets.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Let cool on baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Apple Pie
A classic American dessert, Apple Pie is a sweet and flavorful treat that’s perfect for a fall or winter gathering. It’s made with a flaky pie crust filled with juicy apples, cinnamon, and sugar.
Ingredients:
- 1 (14.1 oz) package refrigerated pie crusts
- 6 medium apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp butter, cut into small pieces
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
- In a large bowl, combine the apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt.
- Pour the apple mixture into a 9-inch pie plate.
- Dot the apple mixture with the butter.
- Unroll the pie crusts and place one crust over the apple mixture. Crimp the edges to seal.
- Cut several slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape.
- Bake for 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) and bake for another 30-35 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the apples are tender.
9. Cheesecake
A rich and decadent dessert, Cheesecake is a classic treat that’s perfect for a special occasion. It’s made with a creamy cheese filling that’s baked on a graham cracker crust.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 3 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup chopped nuts (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Press into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.
- In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla.
- Fold in the sour cream and nuts (if using).
- Pour the filling over the crust.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the cheesecake is set around the edges and the center is just slightly jiggly.
- Turn off the oven and let the cheesecake cool in the oven with the door slightly ajar for 1 hour.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.
Tips for Cooking
Here are some tips for cooking the best dinner recipes:
- Read the recipe carefully before you start cooking.
- Make sure you have all of the ingredients on hand before you start.
- Prepare your ingredients ahead of time to save time. This could include chopping vegetables, measuring spices, or preheating the oven.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment with different ingredients and flavors.
- Start with a simple recipe and gradually work your way up to more complex dishes.
- Practice makes perfect! The more you cook, the better you’ll become at it.
We hope this list of the best dinner recipes of all time has inspired you to get cooking! With a little practice and creativity, you can create delicious meals that your family and friends will love.