19 Fancy Dinner Recipes for Restaurant-Quality Meals

Steamed Crab Legs with Butter Dipping Sauce and Lemons — Photo: Blaine Moats

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.

01 of 19

Seared Scallops and Baby Spinach with Spiced Pomegranate Glaze

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Seared Scallops Baby Spinach Spiced Pomegranate Glaze — 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: Strawberry Upside-Down Cake

02 of 19

Roasted Salmon and Farro Bowls

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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: Chocolate Cherry Cola Cake

03 of 19

Chicken and Roasted Red Pepper Roll-Ups

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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: Tomato Salad

04 of 19

Risotto with Caramelized Onions, Bacon, and Mushrooms

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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: Grilled Asparagus

05 of 19

Classic Roast Chicken

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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 Lavender Crepe Cake

06 of 19

Baked Eggplant Parmesan

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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

07 of 19

Roast Duck with Blackberry-Orange Sauce

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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

08 of 19

Classic Beef Pot Roast

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Beef roast with vegetables — Better Homes & Gardens

Perfect for an elevated take on classic comfort food, this pot roast recipe is sure to please. Grate some fresh horseradish on top to add a unique kick to your dish.

Serve with: Apple Dumplings

09 of 19

Skirt Steak with Pineapple Salsa

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A perfectly cooked steak comes to mind when we think about fancy dinner ideas. Keep the flavor but make it a bit more casual with this skirt steak recipe. If you want to make the meal extra special, try serving homemade tortillas alongside the meat.

Serve with: Tres Leches Cake

10 of 19

Steamed Crab Legs

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Making crab legs at home is so much easier than you think! We'll walk you through how to steam crab legs, including our tips for making herb-infused butter.

Serve with: Classic Chopped Salad and Sourdough Bread

11 of 19

Grilled Lamb Chops with Mint Marinade

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This succulent lamb chop recipe is served with plenty of fresh mint. As one reviewer raves, "This is my go to lamb chop recipe. The lemon garlic and the mint are excellent together. I personally would recommend marinating for a couple of hours, and removing the chops from the refrigerator and salting them about 45 minutes prior to cooking. You can’t go wrong with this recipe."

Serve with: Pastina

12 of 19

Godzilla Roll Sushi Bake

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Skip the sushi restaurant and make this easy shrimp bake at home. It's a fancy dinner idea that allows you to create your own perfect bite. Our sushi roll bake is best served with fresh cucumber, avocados, and nori squares.

Serve with: Schaum Torte

13 of 19

Crispy Rice Sushi Bites

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Spicy tuna and crispy rice is a sushi restaurant staple, but it's easy to make at home. This dinner for two can be prepped ahead and assembled when you're ready to serve. If you like spice, top each bite with a thin slice of fresh jalapeno pepper.

Serve with: Steamed Edamame

14 of 19

Mississippi Pork Chops

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Mississippi pork chop on a dinner plate — Grant Webster

Cooking pork chops at home doesn't have to be complicated. Our secret to perfectly tender meat is to cook the chops in the slow cooker first. Before serving, sear them on the stove for a perfectly golden-brown crust and tender juicy meat.

Serve with: Apple Spice Cake

15 of 19

Petite Beef Wellingtons

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Beef wellington is a classic English dinner made with beef tenderloin and puff pastry. Here, we're wrapping up individual portions with mushrooms, goat cheese, and fresh herbs. It's the perfect fancy dinner idea for anyone who loves steak.

Serve with: Kale Salad and Vanilla Cream Pie

16 of 19

Classic Crab Cakes

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If you've never made homemade crab cakes, start here. We'll walk you through our classic recipe, including our secret to achieving the most buttery golden crust. The crab cakes are delicious on their own, but our editors like to serve them with lemon wedges and a garlicky aioli.

Serve with: One Bowl Chocolate Cake

17 of 19

Glazed Pork Loin Roast

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Pork roast with side caesar salad and potatoes — Jacob Fox

This fancy dinner idea starts the night before you plan to serve it with a homemade red wine marinade. After roasting, the pork loin roast is finished with a thickened glaze made from the marinade.

Serve with: Parmesan Crusted Potatoes

18 of 19

Dirty Martini Pasta

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This flavorful pasta is equal parts fancy dinner idea and quick weeknight recipe. In just 30 minutes, you'll have a delicious bowl of pasta that's filled with blue cheese, olives, and a garlicky vodka sauce.

Serve with: Lemon Posset

19 of 19

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

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If you're looking for a fancy dinner idea that doesn't require doing a lot of dishes, try this recipe for Marry Me chicken. It all cooks together in just one skillet. As one BHG home cook shared, "This recipe is great for a weeknight dinner, because it's ready so quick, but what a weeknight dish! It's so delicious, it's good enough for company or a special occasion. You can also serve it over any pasta you have on hand."

Serve with: White Velvet Cake

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