20 main dishes worth clearing your schedule for

Dinner gets a lot easier when you have a few reliable main dishes everyone actually wants to eat. This mix of comforting, satisfying recipes brings big flavor, hearty ingredients, and the kind of meals that make people head straight to the table. Whether you are cooking for family, friends, or just trying to break out of a dinner rut, these main dishes are the ones people keep coming back to. Expect crowd pleasing favorites, cozy classics, and a few dishes that might surprise you in the best way.

Authentic Bolognese Sauce

Authentic Bolognese sauce is a slow cooked Italian ragù with pancetta, beef and tomatoes that clings beautifully to wide pasta noodles.
Get the Recipe: Authentic Bolognese Sauce

Chicken Cutlets

Breaded chicken cutlets are flavored with Parmesan, garlic and herbs, and then pan-fried for a crispy golden crust and tangy lemon flavor.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Cutlets

Slow Cooker Steak Bites

Slow cooker steak bites cook until tender in a savory garlic butter style sauce and make an easy dinner over potatoes, rice or egg noodles.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Steak Bites

Beer Braised Chicken Thighs

Beer braised chicken thighs simmer with beer, mustard and herbs for a rich, hearty one-pot dinner perfect for weeknights or entertaining.
Get the Recipe: Beer Braised Chicken Thighs

Pasta Puttanesca

Pasta puttanesca combines juicy tomatoes, garlic, anchovies, olives and capers for a quick Italian pasta dish that’s full of bold flavor.
Get the Recipe: Pasta Puttanesca

Seafood Lasagna

Seafood lasagna layers shrimp, scallops and crab in creamy Parmesan sauce for a rich, cheesy seafood recipe that always impresses.
Get the Recipe: Seafood Lasagna

Shrimp Francese

Shrimp francese features lightly battered shrimp in a buttery lemon and white wine sauce for a bright, rich Italian-American favorite.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Francese

Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole

Ritz cracker chicken casserole layers tender chicken, bacon and green onions in creamy sauce with buttery crumbs for crispy comfort.
Get the Recipe: Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole

Smothered Chicken

Smothered chicken with tender chicken breasts, bacon and creamy onion gravy makes a hearty easy dinner full of rich homemade flavor.
Get the Recipe: Smothered Chicken

Chicken Valdostana

Chicken Valdostana pairs tender chicken, mushrooms, prosciutto and melty fontina in a white wine sauce for a quick, elegant Italian dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Valdostana

Miso-Chili Tempeh Noodles

These miso-chili tempeh noodles are quick and simple to make. Enjoy crispy tempeh, noodles and a savory sauce for a tasty weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Miso-Chili Tempeh Noodles

Harissa Meatballs

Harissa meatballs are braised in a spiced tomato sauce and topped with a cooling yogurt mint sauce. This is a vibrant and delicious dish.
Get the Recipe: Harissa Meatballs

Aleppo Pepper Chicken Bites

Aleppo pepper chicken bites are juicy and gently spicy, served with a creamy, cool mint yogurt sauce. They’re a speedy, tasty weeknight win.
Get the Recipe: Aleppo Pepper Chicken Bites

Beef Kofta

Beef kofta is a juicy, spice-packed dish made with herbs and ground beef, served with mint yogurt sauce for a quick and flavorful meal.
Get the Recipe: Beef Kofta

Salsa Verde Chicken Enchiladas

Salsa verde chicken enchiladas are creamy, cheesy and zesty. Rolled tortillas filled with chicken and cheese bake to a bubbly finish.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Verde Chicken Enchiladas

Pasta Alla Genovese

Pasta alla Genovese is a rich Southern Italian dish made with beef, onions and pasta. It’s comforting, savory and full of traditional flavor.
Get the Recipe: Pasta Alla Genovese

Shawarma Chicken And Rice Skillet

Shawarma chicken and rice skillet combines tender chicken, fluffy rice and warm spices in one pan for an easy meal full of bold flavor.
Get the Recipe: Shawarma Chicken And Rice Skillet

Baked Sausages With Apples Sheet Pan Dinner

Baked Sausages with Apples Sheet Pan Dinner – these pork sausages are perfectly baked together with apples, fingerling potatoes, baby carrots and lots of fresh herbs, all in one pan making it super easy for cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Baked Sausages With Apples Sheet Pan Dinner

Ranch Pork Chops And Potatoes Sheet Pan Dinner

Ranch Pork Chops and Potatoes Sheet Pan Dinner – get out your sheet pan to make this delicious and easy dinner with pork chops and potatoes!
Get the Recipe: Ranch Pork Chops And Potatoes Sheet Pan Dinner

Braised Pork In Sweet Soy Sauce

Braised Pork in Sweet Soy Sauce – Tender pieced of pork braised in a flavorful sauce with a touch of heat. Made with a small list of simple ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Braised Pork In Sweet Soy Sauce