Recipes & Cooking Dinner & Meal Ideas 11 Fancy Dinner Recipes for Restaurant-Quality Meals at Home You don't have to go out for a special meal. Make these recipes and wow your guests. By Sheena Chihak, RD Sheena Chihak, RD Sheena Chihak is a registered dietitian, former food editor and current edit lead for BHG with over 17 years of writing and editing experience for both print and digital. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on May 8, 2024 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Scott Little You don't need a culinary degree to make fancy dinner recipes. Special ingredients make these restaurant-quality meals stand above the rest, whether it's an extra splash of cream, a homemade glaze, or a sprinkle of fresh herbs. Including lobster tails, steak, and salmon, these dishes are perfect options for any special occasion. We've included some sides and desserts to spark those dinner menu ideas. 14 Sunday Dinner Recipes to Start Your Week Off Right 01 of 11 Macaroni and Brie with Crab View Recipe Andy Lyons Take your macaroni and cheese to the next level with succulent lump crabmeat and a pound of melty Brie. A golden bread crumb topping and a mini wedge of cheese finish this fancy dinner recipe. Serve with: Herbed Garden Couscous and Sparkling Rosé Blueberry Floats 19 Mac and Cheese Recipes that Are Gooey Perfection 02 of 11 Seared Scallops and Baby Spinach with Spiced Pomegranate Glaze View Recipe Scott Little Scallops are a classic fancy dinner recipe that makes any meal feel like a celebration. Those quick-cooking scallops are served over a bed of spinach with a homemade pomegranate glaze for a seafood dinner so good you'll want to lick the plate clean. Serve with: Sweet Ricotta and Strawberry Parfaits 03 of 11 Double-Smoked Salmon with Horseradish Cream View Recipe Karla Conrad This salmon's so nice because we smoked it twice. Not only did we stuff fresh fillets with packaged smoked salmon and horseradish cream, but we popped them on the grill with hickory wood chips for a second layer of smoky flavor in this fancy dinner recipe. Serve with: Lentil Pilaf and Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes Salmon Pot Pie 04 of 11 Cauliflower Steaks with Hazelnuts & Browned Butter View Recipe Blaine Moats For an easy, fancy dinner recipe (that just so happens to be vegetarian), give cauliflower steaks a try. Seasoned with salt and pepper, all it takes is a quick sear on a screaming-hot cast-iron skillet to bring out the flavor. The browned butter sauce, crunchy hazelnuts, and lemon zest provide a picture-perfect finish. Serve with: Green Beans with Almonds and Chocolate Cannoli 05 of 11 Chicken and Roasted Red Pepper Roll-Ups View Recipe Andy Lyons Chicken breasts don't have to be boring. Turn it into a fancy dinner recipe by rolling it with garlic-herb goat cheese, baby arugula, and roasted red peppers. Dried-tomato pesto gives the gourmet recipe an added layer of Mediterranean flavor. Serve with: Acorn Squash and Beet Salad and Salted Caramel Pots de Creme 06 of 11 Chicken with Marsala Risotto View Recipe Kritsada Panichgul Yes, you can make restaurant-quality risotto right in your own kitchen. This take on a classic Italian dish gets an earthy flavor from cremini mushrooms and richness from Marsala wine. Your entire family will rave over this gourmet dinner for days afterward. Serve with: Garlic Roasted Asparagus and Vanilla Panna Cotta 07 of 11 Japanese Roast Chicken View Recipe Andy Lyons Classic roast chicken gets some international flair thanks to a zesty Japanese seven-spice rub. Complete the show-stopping fancy dinner recipe with baby carrots and bok choy simmered in sesame oil. Serve with: Lemon Olive Oil Cake 08 of 11 Baked Eggplant Parmesan View Recipe Jason Donnelly Make eggplant the feature of your fancy meal with this lightened-up Italian favorite. Whole wheat bread crumbs give the vegetable a crispy coating that pairs perfectly with your favorite wine. Serve with: Classic Zabaglione 09 of 11 Pan-Seared Salmon with Tomato Pesto View Recipe Andy Lyons Make your fancy dinner recipe feel more special by taking the time to prepare a homemade sauce, dressing, or glaze. The tomato pesto that flavors these fresh salmon fillets is made with both dried and fresh tomatoes, green olives, and fresh basil. Serve with: Pomegranate-Orange Cream Tart 10 of 11 Roast Duck with Blackberry-Orange Sauce View Recipe Andy Lyons Complement the rich flavor of roasted duck with a bright blackberry-citrus sauce. After roasting, use leftover duck fat to flavor your choice of roasted root vegetables for an elegant dinner. Serve with: Roasted Root Vegetables 11 of 11 Portobello Pot Roast View Recipe Blaine Moats Meaty mushrooms take the place of beef in this easy fancy dinner recipe. Perfect for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike, grate some fresh horseradish on top to add a unique kick to your dish. Serve with: Ginger-Pear Galette Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit