I have some really good news for you today. YOU ARE ABOUT TO MAKE A FANCY DINNER LIKE A BOSS. I know what you’re thinking. “Fancy” sounds hard and “homemade crab cakes” sounds like a lot of work.
But I am about to give you a cheat code. An idea that feels ten times more impressive than it actually is. It is called an unforgettable, fantastic, fancy dinner at home.
1. The Best Broiled Lobster Tail Recipe
Can I just say? Lobster tail feels like the peak of fancy dining. My first time trying it was somewhere super memorable, which made it feel even more special.
But here’s the secret: these impressive tails don’t need much. You’re basically looking at a good pair of kitchen shears and a whole lot of butter. That’s it! Simple and ridiculously good.
2. Homemade Pasta
Making your own pasta from scratch? Yesss. It’s a seriously fun time, and honestly, a perfect date night activity. Your friends will be so impressed, and you’ll get all the bragging rights.
You can go old-school and do it all by hand, or make it a little quicker with a stand mixer and a pasta roller. It’s a pick-your-path kind of deal.
Either way, it’s one of those kitchen experiences everyone has to have at least once.
3. Roast Rack of Lamb Recipe with Garlic and Herb Crust
A roasted rack of lamb just has this amazing, almost epic feel to it. I know it can be a bit of a splurge, but that first bite makes it all worthwhile.
For the best result, you’ll want it served rare, with that incredible garlic and herb crust over the beautiful pink meat. It’s a total showstopper. Just like with a prime rib, you’ll want this to sit at room temperature for a bit.
That’s the perfect time to get the marinade on so all those flavors can sink in. The best part? This perfectly flavored lamb is ready in about 30 minutes. Unbelievable.
4. Mushroom Parmesan Shrimp Risotto
Full disclosure: this one packs in a lot of garlic. But if you’re both eating it on date night, you’re good to go. Risotto definitely requires a little bit of loving attention.
You’ll need to stay close by while it cooks, adding more broth as the rice absorbs it. My advice is to cook the shrimp in another pan right at the end.
That way it’s perfectly pink and tasty, ready to be poured right over the top.
5. Best Ever Beef Wellington Recipe
I know you’ve seen this one, and maybe you’ve even tried it before. Beef Wellington is a bit more involved than just roasting a duck, but it’s so worth it.
Beef tenderloin is the way to go here, since it’s wonderfully juicy and not as pricey as fillet mignon. If mushrooms aren’t your thing, you could try using garlic sauteed spinach or a mix of chopped pine nuts, crispy bacon, and onions instead.
6. Creamy Spinach Stuffed Salmon in Garlic Butter
Salmon on its own is already a fantastic fish that cooks up easily with just a little garlic butter and lemon. But if you want to take things up a notch, you have to try this spinach-stuffed version!
When you’re cutting the pockets, grab a sharp knife and be careful not to get too close to the skin. You’ll also want to avoid overfilling them, or everything will just spill out and get messy.
7. Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin
Pork tenderloin can sometimes be a challenge. It’s super lean and so delicious, but it’s also easy to overcook and let it get dry.
The great news is that wrapping the pork in bacon not only helps seal in moisture but also adds a ton of flavor. And can we talk about how incredible it looks? After you brush it with maple syrup, the bacon gets all shiny and crisp!
8. Julia Child’s Coq Au Vin
What could possibly be fancier than a classic from the queen of French cooking herself? It’s funny how this dish earned a reputation for being so special when it’s really just a chicken and wine stew.
But wow, not only does it look like a million bucks, but it’s also packed with so much flavor you won’t be able to have just one serving.
9. Cheese Fondue
Fondue is not only a great conversation starter, but it also makes sure your special dinner lasts a little bit longer. It’s such a social meal, and the more dipping options you offer, the better it gets!
For the best texture, always buy fresh blocks of cheese and grate them yourself. If wine isn’t your favorite, you can try adding beer to the mix instead.
10. Honey Roast Duck
You don’t see whole ducks at the grocery store very often, so a trip to your local butcher might be in order. And if you’re nervous about cooking it, don’t be!
If you can handle a whole chicken, you can totally cook a duck. The main thing to remember is the layer of fat under the skin. This gives the meat amazing flavor and keeps it moist, but it needs to render properly.
Just score the skin with a sharp knife. These little cuts let the fat melt out, which bastes the bird and makes the skin extra crispy!
11. Eggplant Parmesan
Eggplant parmesan is a vegetarian-friendly dinner that is always a crowd-pleaser. With the crunchy breaded eggplant, tangy marinara sauce, and fresh mozzarella, it has everything you could possibly want in a fancy meal.
I think panko breadcrumbs are the way to go because they offer a much better texture. Also, if you want them extra crispy, try putting them under the broiler for a few minutes after baking.
12. Chicken Cordon Bleu
There are a few key parts to this dish, but none of them require any special chef-level skills! You’ll begin by pounding the chicken until it’s nice and thin, then roll it up with ham and cheese.
It’s smart to chill it for a bit if you can, which makes dredging in the egg and breadcrumbs much easier. Once it’s almost finished baking, whip up the simple mustardy sauce and pour it over the chicken to serve.
13. Grilled Chilean Sea Bass
If you’ve never cooked with sea bass before, this is the ideal first recipe to try! It has such a distinct, meaty flavor and looks so impressive.
But here’s the little secret, it’s a breeze to make! You’ll mix a quick rub, then grill the fish until it’s lightly charred and fragrant. Serve it with the sauce and some rice, and you are all set!
14. Braised Short Ribs
Can I let you in on a little secret? Braised short ribs might seem fancy and expensive, but they are ridiculously easy to make right at home!
First, you’ll sear the meat on every side until it’s nicely crusted. Make sure to coat it in flour and use a Dutch oven or cast-iron skillet if you have one for the best results.
Then, you just need to cook it low and slow in a mix of veggies, broth, red wine, and tomato paste. This can be done in either a slow cooker or a Dutch oven.
One thing I learned from my restaurant days is to roast your veggies with tomato paste over the top until they’re crispy and charred. This adds such an incredible depth of flavor!
15. Easy Chicken Tikka Masala
If there was ever a moment to make your own chicken tikka masala, it’s when you’re going for something fancy.
Anyone can open a jar, but how many people do you know who can serve up their very own tikka masala sauce with homemade garlic naan bread?
The absolute best part? It can be on your table in just 30 minutes!
16. Italian Stuffed Flank Steak
This beef recipe looks like it came straight from a five-star kitchen, but it could not be any easier to make! Just like the chicken dish above, you’ll pound the steak until it’s nice and thin.
Spoon on some minced garlic, shallots, parsley, sage, and olive oil, then add a layer of prosciutto and provolone cheese. Roll it, tie it, slice it into portions, and then give it a quick sear on both ends before it goes into the oven for a fast roast.
17. Seared Scallops
When you’re shopping for scallops, try to find the “dry” kind. I know that sounds strange when you want them to be juicy, but the “wet” ones have so much extra liquid, they tend to shrivel up as they cook.
Plus, they won’t develop that amazing caramelized crust we all love so much! As for cooking, it’s super quick, just a 2-minute sear on one side and another two minutes while they soak up some butter on the other.
Just don’t forget to season them before they go in the pan.
18. Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon
This rich beef stew is a classic mix of chunky vegetables, beef that just falls apart, and a wonderful sauce infused with red wine. Unlike the pricier tenderloin, this recipe calls for beef chuck, which is a cheaper cut that can be a bit tougher.
But since you’ll be cooking it in a Crockpot for a solid 8 to 10 hours in that sauce, it will be perfectly fork-tender and packed with flavor when it’s ready.
19. Classic Beef Chateaubriand
The old-school way to prepare this beef tenderloin involved cooking it between two lesser quality cuts of beef. The idea was that they would help keep all the juices inside while adding even more flavor as it roasted.
Once done, the outer pieces were thrown away, and the tenderloin was perfectly pink and then covered in a creamy béarnaise sauce. Don’t worry, you won’t be wasting any meat today!
But you will be making the sauce from scratch, which you can easily do while the meat is cooking.
20. Million-Dollar Roast Beef Tenderloin Recipe
Just like pork loin, beef tenderloin is a very lean and soft cut of meat. That’s what makes it so melt-in-your-mouth amazing and also what makes it more expensive.
I absolutely recommend trimming your meat. You can use a sharp knife to take off the thin silver layer of fat on top, or just ask your butcher to do it. If you have some extra time, leave it uncovered in the fridge overnight.
This dries out the surface a bit, which helps create an even better crust when you sear it!
21. Roasted Oysters on the Grill
This dish is incredibly popular down in Australia, and I actually had my first roasted oyster on a beach right outside Melbourne. If you’re not a big fan of the cold, slimy kind, these might just change your mind about oysters.
This recipe is best on a grill and keeps things simple with butter, lemon, and a bit of hot sauce. If you really want to wow your guests, try using some chili jam and blue cheese.