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  4. Treat Yourself to a Fine Dining Experience at Home with These Fancy Dinner Recipes

Treat Yourself to a Fine Dining Experience at Home with These Fancy Dinner Recipes

Headshot of Food Editor, Sheena Chihak, RD
By Sheena Chihak, RD Updated May 26, 2022
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Seared Scallops Baby Spinach Spiced Pomegranate Glaze
Credit: Scott Little

You don't need a culinary degree to make restaurant-caliber meals. Whether it's an extra splash of cream, a homemade glaze, or a sprinkle of fresh herbs, special ingredients make these fancy feasts stand above the rest. Including lobster tails, steak, and salmon, our collection of fancy dinner recipes are perfect options for any special occasion. Plus, we've included some sides and desserts to spark those fancy dinner menu ideas.

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Lobster Tails with Chive Butter

Lobster Tails with Chive Butter
Credit: Jacob Fox
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Lobster is the epitome of elegance and, conveniently, quick to cook. Brush lemon- and chive-infused butter onto fresh butterflied lobster tails for a simple yet sophisticated dinner solution for your special occasion.

Serve with: Easy Parmesan-Fennel Rolls and Classic Tiramisu

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Macaroni and Brie with Crab

Macaroni with Brie and Crab
Credit: Andy Lyons
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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 mini wedge of cheese finish this fancy dinner recipe.

Serve with: Easy Herbed Salad and Sparkling Grapefruit Sorbet Floats

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Scandinavian Steak and Potatoes

Scandinavian Steak and Potatoes
Credit: Andy Lyons
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Wonderful things happen when you combine tiny new potatoes and flat iron steak (a well-marbled, highly tender cut of meat) with rich Scandinavian spices. Give those lemon halves a quick char in your pan before squeezing over this fancy meat dish.

Serve with: Slow-Cooked Sourdough Bread and Pomegranate Pavlova with Pistachios and Honey

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Seared Scallops and Baby Spinach with Spiced Pomegranate Glaze

Seared Scallops Baby Spinach Spiced Pomegranate Glaze
Credit: Scott Little
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Scallops are a classic gourmet 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: No-Knead Focaccia and Sweet Ricotta and Strawberry Parfaits

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Short Ribs with Black Barley and Mushrooms

Short Ribs with Black Barley and Mushrooms
Credit: Andy Lyons
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Once you realize how easy it is to make your own braised short-ribs, you'll be finding plenty of excuses to make this fall-off-the-bone dish for more than just fancy dinners. There are pans specifically for braising, but your lidded Dutch oven ($80, Target) will do the trick.

Serve with: Buttermilk-Sage Dinner Rolls and Raspberry Crème Brûlée

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Double-Smoked Salmon with Horseradish Cream

Double-Smoked Salmon with Horseradish Cream
Credit: Karla Conrad
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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.

Serve with: Lentil Pilaf and Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes

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Lemony Mussels with Cherry Tomatoes and Potatoes

Lemony Mussels with Cherry Tomatoes and Potatoes in pan
Credit: Blaine Moats
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A citrus and white wine sauce braises the mussels in this savory fancy-looking seafood dinner. The best part about this gourmet meal is that it comes together super fast in your Instant Pot ($100, Target). Serve with a chunk of crusty bread so no drop gets left behind.

Serve with: Semolina and Rosemary Boule and Vanilla-Scented Orange Cheesecake

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Cauliflower Steaks with Hazelnuts & Browned Butter

Cauliflower Steaks with Hazelnuts & Browned Butter
Credit: Blaine Moats
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For an easy fancy dinner (that just so happens to be vegetarian), give cauliflower steaks a try. Simply 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: Blistered Green Beans and Chocolate Cannoli

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Beef Steaks Wellington

Beef Steaks Wellington
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There's a reason this classic English dish was named after a duke. It's fit for royalty. Topped with pate, wrapped in flaky pastry, and drizzled with a rich mushroom sauce, this beef wellington recipe will transport you to a table at the fanciest restaurant in town.

Serve with: Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Cinnamon and Brown Sugar Custards

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Chicken and Roasted Red Pepper Roll-Ups

Chicken and Roasted Red Pepper Rollups
Credit: Andy Lyons
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Chicken breasts don't have to be boring. Turn the white meat into a fancy dinner 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

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Baby Beet and Flank Steak Salad Dijon

Baby Beet and Flank Steak Salad Dijon
Credit: Jason Donnelly
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Serve up juicy flank steak in a colorful new format by pairing it with sweet baby beets on toasty Parmesan-crusted French bread. A homemade honey-mustard vinaigrette really takes this fancy meat dish to the next level.

Serve with: Roasted Red Pepper Soup and Mocha-Chocolate Chip Cheesecake with Strawberries

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Chicken with Marsala Risotto

Chicken with Marsala Risotto
Credit: Kritsada Panichgul
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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 Masala wine. Your entire family will rave over this gourmet dinner for days afterward.

Serve with: Roasted Asparagus and Almond-Tangerine Panna Cotta

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Lamb Chops with Blackberry Chutney

Lamb Chops with Blackberry-Pear Chutney
Credit: Karla Conrad
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A warm berry chutney flavored with green onions and cloves provides this fancy dinner recipe some gorgeous color. The sweet-and-savory sauce means you only need a dash of allspice to flavor the tender lamb chops.

Serve with: Balsamic-Glazed Tri-Color Carrots and Almond-Lemon Broccoli

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Butternut Squash Gnocchi with Herbed Brown Butter

Butternut Squash Gnocchi with Herbed Brown Butter
Credit: Andy Lyons
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Fall-favorite butternut squash replaces the potato in this rich and pillowy gnocchi recipe, which makes for an impressive gourmet meal. Browned herb butter and a balsamic vinegar reduction add layers of luxury. For an extra-filling fancy dinner, top with juicy shrimp.

Serve with: Broccolini with Peas and Seared Lemons and Coffee-Raspberry Zabaglione Semifreddo

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Japanese Roast Chicken

Japanese Roast Chicken
Credit: Andy Lyons
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Classic roast chicken gets some international flair thanks to a zesty Japanese seven-spice rub. Complete the show-stopping gourmet dinner with baby carrots and bok choy simmered in sesame oil ($5, Target).

Serve with: Brown Rice Pilaf and Lemon Olive Oil Cake

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Baked Eggplant Parmesan

Baked Eggplant Parmesan
Credit: Jason Donnelly
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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 its crispy coating that pairs perfectly with a glass of your favorite wine.

Serve with: Marinated Mozzarella with Basil and Classic Zabaglione

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Pan-Seared Salmon with Tomato Pesto

Pan-Seared Salmon with Tomato Pesto
Credit: Andy Lyons
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Make your fancy meal 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: Spaghetti Aglio e Olio and Rustic Blood Orange Tart with Salted Pecan Crust

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Roast Duck with Blackberry-Orange Sauce

Roast Duck with Blackberry-Orange Sauce
Credit: Andy Lyons
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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 and Chocolate Puffs with Mascarpone Cream

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Pork and Fennel Ragu with Porcini Mushrooms

Pork, Fennel, and Sausage Ragu with Porcini Mushrooms
Credit: Blaine Moats
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Dried porcini mushrooms impart a complex, woodsy flavor to this authentic homemade ragu recipe. Made with San Marzano tomatoes, a plum version from Italy, the classic red sauce features two types of hearty meat.

Serve with: Garlic-Roasted Asparagus and Boccone Dolce Meringue

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Portobello Pot Roast

roasted portobello mushrooms with vegetables
Credit: Blaine Moats
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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: Classic Dinner Rolls and Ginger-Pear Galette

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Warm Salad with Lamb Chops and Mediterranean Dressing

Warm Salad with Lamb Chops and Mediterranean Dressing
Credit: Jason Donnelly
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Homemade red wine vinaigrette flavored with marjoram and thyme keeps these lamb chops brimming with flavor and moisture. Balance the fancy dish's acidity with fresh greens, grape tomatoes, and radishes.

Serve with: Duchess Potatoes or Cast-Iron Mixed-Berry Crisp

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By Sheena Chihak, RD

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    1 of 21 Lobster Tails with Chive Butter
    2 of 21 Macaroni and Brie with Crab
    3 of 21 Scandinavian Steak and Potatoes
    4 of 21 Seared Scallops and Baby Spinach with Spiced Pomegranate Glaze
    5 of 21 Short Ribs with Black Barley and Mushrooms
    6 of 21 Double-Smoked Salmon with Horseradish Cream
    7 of 21 Lemony Mussels with Cherry Tomatoes and Potatoes
    8 of 21 Cauliflower Steaks with Hazelnuts & Browned Butter
    9 of 21 Beef Steaks Wellington
    10 of 21 Chicken and Roasted Red Pepper Roll-Ups
    11 of 21 Baby Beet and Flank Steak Salad Dijon
    12 of 21 Chicken with Marsala Risotto
    13 of 21 Lamb Chops with Blackberry Chutney
    14 of 21 Butternut Squash Gnocchi with Herbed Brown Butter
    15 of 21 Japanese Roast Chicken
    16 of 21 Baked Eggplant Parmesan
    17 of 21 Pan-Seared Salmon with Tomato Pesto
    18 of 21 Roast Duck with Blackberry-Orange Sauce
    19 of 21 Pork and Fennel Ragu with Porcini Mushrooms
    20 of 21 Portobello Pot Roast
    21 of 21 Warm Salad with Lamb Chops and Mediterranean Dressing

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    Treat Yourself to a Fine Dining Experience at Home with These Fancy Dinner Recipes
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