Discover a collection of easy main course recipes that will delight your taste buds and simplify your meal planning. From quick weeknight dinners to impressive dishes for special occasions, find delicious inspiration for every occasion.
Take your cooking game to the next level with our collection of main dish recipes that are sure to impress. From classic comfort foods to kid-friendly recipes, we’ve have you covered with a variety of easy dinner recipes for everyone.
Our collection of main dish recipes features simple and effortless options like slow cooker chicken tacos that you will surely enjoy as an easy weeknight meal.
Or for those special family gatherings, Sunday suppers and holidays, we have a range of the best recipes that will provide comfort and satisfaction like pork tenderloin or shrimp scampi.
With such an extensive selection, you are guaranteed to find new and exciting dishes to try.
Elevate your dinner tonight with our tasty and easy-to-make main dish recipes the entire family will love.
What Makes a Great Main Dish?
Main dishes are a crucial component of any meal, providing the bulk of the nutrients and flavors that make a meal satisfying and complete. A great main dish should be filling, delicious, and balanced, featuring a mix of protein, vegetables, and other healthy ingredients.
One of the key factors that makes a great main dish is versatility. A good main dish should be adaptable to different dietary needs and taste preferences, allowing cooks to customize it to their liking. It should also be easy to prepare, using simple ingredients and straightforward techniques that don’t require a lot of time or skill.
Ultimately, a great main dish is all about balance. It should provide a variety of flavors, textures, and nutrients that work together to create a satisfying and memorable meal.
Whether you’re cooking for yourself, your family, or a crowd, there are endless options to choose from when it comes to main dishes. With a little creativity and inspiration, you can create a meal that is both delicious and nourishing, no matter what your tastes or preferences may be.
Tips and Tricks for cooking main dishes
- The quality of your ingredients plays a huge role in the success of your main dish. Choose fresh and seasonal ingredients for optimal flavor and texture.
- Before you start cooking, take the time to prep your ingredients. This includes washing and chopping vegetables, marinating meat, and measuring out spices and seasonings. Doing this ahead of time can save you time and make the cooking process smoother.
- Different types of main dishes require different cooking techniques. For example, grilling is great for meats, while roasting is ideal for vegetables. Make sure you use the right cooking techniques for the main dish you are making.
- Seasoning is key to making a delicious main dish. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different herbs, spices, and marinades to enhance the flavor of your dish. Taste as you go and adjust seasonings as needed.
- A great main dish is even better when paired with complementary sides. Consider the flavors and textures of your main dish when choosing sides. For example, a hearty stew pairs well with crusty bread, while grilled fish is delicious with a fresh salad.
- After you finish cooking your main dish, let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful dish.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment with customizations to make the main dish your own. Try adding different ingredients, adjusting seasonings, or swapping out proteins to create a dish that fits your tastes and preferences.
Browse our selection of main dish recipes below and start cooking up a storm today!
Comfort Food Classics
Sometimes you just need a comforting, familiar meal to satisfy your hunger and warm your soul. Our collection of comfort food main dishes features classic recipes that never go out of style. From hearty stews and casseroles to savory pot pies and meatloaves, these dishes are perfect for cozy nights in or family gatherings.
Global Flavors
Want to explore new and exciting flavors? Look no further than our selection of main dish recipes inspired by cuisines from around the world. From Mexican food like pork carnitas and Italian dishes like pasta salad or homemade meatballs, you will find easy dinner ideas for any night of the week.
How to Make Quick Meals on Busy Weeknights
- One pot meals, the instant pot, air fryer and slow cooker can be a lifesaver when it comes to saving time and making family dinners. Here are some ways they can help:
- One pot meals, Instant Pots, and slow cookers all allow you to cook everything in one pot or appliance, which means less time spent on prep and cleanup.
- With one pot meals, you can simply add all your ingredients to a pot and let them cook together. With Instant Pots, you can cook food up to 70% faster than traditional methods. And with crockpot recipes, you can set it and forget it, allowing your food to cook slowly over several hours.
- You can make a wide variety of dishes, from soups and stews to casseroles and roasts.
- With larger appliances like Instant Pots and slow cookers, you can make larger batches of food at once, which can save you time in the long run by providing leftovers for future meals.
- One pot meals, Instant Pots, and slow cookers can also be budget-friendly, as they allow you to use cheaper cuts of meat and incorporate more vegetables, beans, and grains into your meals.
Easy Main Dish Recipes
Recipes for Main Dishes
Easy Instant Pot Mac and Cheese Recipe
Dinner Ideas with Ground Sausage
Ground sausage can be used in a variety of dishes, from classic spaghetti and meatballs to hearty casseroles and savory breakfast skillets. In this list, we've compiled some of the best dinner ideas with ground sausage that are sure to become family favorites.
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Summer Slow Cooker Crock Pot Chicken Recipes
Beat the heat on hot summer days with these delicious and hassle-free summer crock pot chicken recipes.
crock pot bbq chicken legs
Easy Summer Dinner Ideas
Whip up delicious meals in a breeze with our list of easy summer dinner ideas. With minimal prep and maximum flavor, you'll have more time to soak up the sun and enjoy the joys of the season. These recipes will make your summer dining a breeze.
Best Whole Baked Chicken Recipe
Chicken Francaise Recipe
Baked Citrus Salmon Recipe
Steak and Potatoes in the Oven recipe
Easy Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy Recipe
Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe
The Best Seafood Recipes
Beef Gyro Bowls Recipe
Olive Garden Herb Grilled Salmon Recipe
Baked Old Fashioned Breaded Pork Chops Recipe
Tender, juicy pork chops with a crispy breading is a flavor that’s hard to resist. The whole family will enjoy this recipe for baked old fashioned breaded pork chops.
The Best Bruschetta Pasta Salad Recipe
Mini Chicken Pot Pies Recipe
Cheesy Ranch Chicken
This Cheesy Ranch Chicken recipe is addictive, full of cheese and bacon! Your whole family will love this recipe and it's super easy to make ahead of time!
Peanut Butter Chicken
Quick and Easy Peanut Butter Chicken perfect for any weeknight meal! Serve this Peanut Butter Chicken recipe over some white rice for a complete meal.
Sweet and Sour Chicken
The most delicious and crispiest sweet and sour chicken recipe ever thanks to corn starch. Serve with veggies and rice.
Taco Biscuit Cups Recipe
When you need a quick meal idea, you will want to turn to these easy Chicken Fajita Biscuit Cups! They're kid and freezer friendly too!
Pork and Sweet Potato Stew Recipe
You’re going to love this hearty Pork and Sweet Potato Stew Recipe with its unique blend of fork tender pork, sweet potatoes, and a medley of spices!
Meatloaf Muffins
These Meatloaf Muffins are a quick and easy spin on a weeknight favorite! The whole family will be asking for seconds!
Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage
Copycat Olive Garden Minestrone Soup Recipe
Instant Pot Pork Carnitas
This highly versatile and fall-apart-tender pork recipe can be served in so many ways. For starters, this seasoned, tender pork is delicious in lettuce wraps, tacos, salads, or served over rice.
Classic Meatball Recipe
This delicious classic meatball recipe is sure to become a family favorite. Serve with spaghetti or pasta!
Cornbread Waffles with Chili recipe
A family favorite chili recipe served over cornbread waffles for an easy meal everyone in the family will love!
Zucchini Meatballs Recipe
This Zucchini Meatballs Recipe will become a family favorite. It's meatless and made with zucchini, herbs and cheese and served with your favorite marinara sauce.
New England Clam Chowder Recipe
This creamy and hearty chowder recipe is super easy, even with fresh clams. Between the fresh clams, bacon, and heavy cream, this clam chowder is full of flavor!
Crab Stuffed Flounder Recipe
This Crab Stuffed Flounder Recipe comes together with a delicious filling reminiscent to crab cakes. Enjoy this dish anytime you want a restaurant quality meal right at home!
Steamed Seafood Boil
This Seafood Boil recipe is the perfect for summer full of shrimp, potatoes, corn and more! Enjoy this recipe spread out on the picnic table with a cold one!
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