Low Effort, High Reward
High-quality food isn't all that complicated. Many of the dishes we think of as "fancy" test a chef's patience rather than their culinary skill. If some of the dishes on this list seem time-consuming, it's because they need time to marinate or cook down. So, sit back, relax, and let the oven do all the work for you!
1. Pasta Aglio Olio
This is a simple dish with a fancy name. Pasta aglio olio is literally just spaghetti, garlic, and olive oil. Toss your ingredients together with fresh parsley on top and you have a Neapolitan favorite.
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2. Focaccia
Some people got really into sourdough in 2020, others got really into focaccia. While both breads are undeniably delicious, focaccia is the far more accessible of the two. You don't need a stand mixer with a bread hook, or any kneading, all you need to do is let your dough ferment in the fridge until it's nice and bubbly.
3. Beef Bourguignon
One of Julia Child's signature dishes, beef bourguignon is seen as one of the final bosses of French cooking to inexperienced chefs. While this dish does take time—enough to drink a glass or two of the red wine the recipe calls for—it's just a stew. Like most stews, it does most of the work on its own; you just have to give it a stir every now and then.
4. Risotto
Unless you grew up in an Italian family, you probably think of risotto as a restaurant side dish. Soft and creamy, this simple dish will elevate any entree it's served with. The most taxing part of this recipe is the consistent stirring, and even that isn't too hard.
5. Miso Black Cod
Made famous by celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa, this dish famously takes three to four days to make. However, if you aren't going to serve celebrity clients, you can cut down the marinating time to an hour or two, and it will taste just as good. Pro tip: black cod isn't actually cod, but sablefish.
6. Osso Buco
If you're hosting a dinner party, osso buco is one dish you absolutely should not skip over. After a few hours breaking down in a Dutch oven (or instant pot, if you're on a time crunch), the veal shanks fall apart with at the gentlest touch of a fork. The most difficult part of this dish is restraining yourself from eating the whole thing before it's done.
7. Chicken Marsala
Chicken Marsala is a restaurant-quality dish that you can have on the table in 45 minutes. The not-so-secret ingredient that makes this dish fancy is the brandy-fortified wine that gives the sauce its name. This recipe is also great for getting anger out, as slicing and flattening the chicken breasts is an essential step in getting the best sear.
8. Fettuccine Alfredo
Warm and comforting, fettuccine Alfredo requires only three ingredients: pasta, Parmesan, and butter. The trickiest part of this dish is emulsifying the sauce so that it doesn't break. Fettuccine Alfredo doesn't take much time, but it does take care.
9. Sesame Grilled Salmon
One of the easiest fish to find, salmon is also one of the easiest to cook. As with any marinade, the majority of the "cook time" is just waiting for the wish to soak up all that sesame goodness. After that, it just takes a couple minutes of grilling.
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10. Smash Burgers
Save money on fast food burgers by making your own smash burgers in minutes. The thin, crispy patties cook quickly for a caramelized crust and juicy center. Char your buns and top with one of the numerous Big Mac sauce dupes.
11. Arugula Salad
Arugula isn't any fancier than spinach or lettuce, but something about these luscious leaves just feels more high-class. We recommend you use seasonal ingredients to make the most of your salad, but you can never go wrong with walnuts, red onion, and goat cheese.
12. Roasted Chicken
Did you know that you can roast a chicken in a crockpot? It's true! Just season, stuff, and let sit until your house smells delicious.Cook at a higher temperature for a shorter time if you like crispy skin.
13. Baked Brie
Baked brie is the perfect appetizer for events between Thanksgiving and Christmas, in part because you can use leftover cranberry sauce! Once cooked and cooled for a few minutes, cut into your wheel of cheese and listen as guests ooh and ahh.
14. Seared Scallops
Scallops may be expensive, but they are in no way difficult to cook. These mollusks need only a few minutes of cooking to bring out their sweet and briny flavor. To accommodate vegetarians (and perhaps your wallet), you can swap the scallops for king oyster mushrooms, which have a woody, meaty flavor.
15. Marry Me Chicken
So named because it's so good you'll want to marry the chef, this dish went ultra-viral last year. Whether or not you have a ring in mind, this crowd-pleasing dish is cozy, creamy, and acidic. It comes together in under an hour and literally thousands of people can attest to its quality.
16. Tomato Feta Pasta
Another viral dish, tomato feta pasta is so easy that a child could make it. Sauces can be tricky; instead, this recipe uses a whole block of feta and roasted tomatoes as its base, along with a necessary splash of pasta water. This dish also makes a lot, so you'll have leftovers galore.
17. Shrimp Skewers
Seasoned with cilantro and lime, these skewers are zippy and bright. Unlike a lot of other marinades on this list, marinating shrimp takes 15 minutes tops. These skewers take even less time to cook!
18. Lemon Butter Tilapia
Tilapia is often cited as one of the easiest fish to cook. Its mild flavor plays well with sauces, and it's very forgiving to amateur chefs. Brighten up the fish with some lemon butter and asparagus.
19. BLT Salad
Salads are so simple it's almost absurd. BLT salad will have even the hungriest of carnivores asking for seconds. Calling it a deconstructed BLT will make it sound even fancier.
20. Chicken Paprikash
Chicken paprikash is so easy that it's a mainstay of Hungarian cafeterias. Chicken paprikash is comfort food at its finest with a warm smoky sauce and buttery egg noodles. Just make sure you get the right kind of paprika.
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