It may seem counterintuitive, but the "fancy" in "fancy dinner recipes" only needs to describe the dish, not the cost. What many don't realize is that with just a few relatively inexpensive ingredients, it's easy to wow guests or significant others with multi-course meals.
The best part? Good recipes are like good clothing: They're timeless. So, feel free to build a repertoire of fancy dinner recipes and revisit them as needed!
Chicken marsala, a familiar protein appended with an intriguing French flare, is everything you could want in a satisfying meal: It's comforting, delicious and most importantly, simple.
The breading and cooked mushrooms give it an air of sophistication even though this fancy dinner recipe requires less effort than some frozen or throw-together meals. Find the recipe here.
While this dish may require a food processor or immersion blender, that's essentially where the complexity ends. With relatively few ingredients and even fewer steps, this soup is hearty and nourishing and has the flavor profile of a meal attached to a menu. Serve it warm in the winter or cold in the summer, and find the recipe here.
Leftover sweet potato from your soup above? Still craving that same satisfying warmth? Well, for all of that and more, try this popular and detoxifying option. This curry is fantastic over coconut rice or quinoa and will have your family or guests begging for the unbelievably simple recipe. Find it here.
Elote, sometimes called “Mexican street corn" in restaurants, is a fun and fresh-tasting treat. Candidly, the traditional version is eaten straight from the cob, however, if you're in a pinch and need a crowd-pleaser to kick off your dinner party, it can be easily adapted into a dip. For that version, look no further.
Who doesn't love the sound of fresh fajitas sizzling in a cast iron skillet? Despite this almost universal delight, few people venture to try recreating that magic at home. Luckily, for the willing among us, it isn't nearly as difficult as it seems. Mix and match seasonings to taste, but feel free to start here.
Struggling to come up with a side for your fancy dinner recipe? It's often the most deceptively tricky part of mealtime. One of the easiest solutions is simply to dress up a classic. For example, repurpose extra toothpicks to make this Italian classic truly unique by following the unbelievably simple steps here.
Dessert time. A fan of panna cotta? How about crème brûlée? From the United Kingdom comes this refreshing and essentially one-step wonder of a dessert that's sure to impress and shares a texture with both of those classic dessert options. If you want a sure-fire, post-dinner plan using ingredients you almost certainly already have, look here.
If you've ever taken a drive through Atlanta in the summer, this dessert, which combines sweet and savory notes, will transport you there in an instant. With only a few ingredients, this very simple fancy dinner recipe will elevate the state of play in your kitchen. Find the recipe here.
Since we already have a sweet tooth, let's keep the good times rolling with this delicate, decadent dessert. This is another pantry-item recipe that takes less time to cook than it does to read and will make your friends wonder when you took your pastry course. Find it here.
This sweet and flaky treat will combine the satisfaction of cooking and of arts-and-crafts. Something straight out of your local brunch stop's dessert case, this dish will be just as good on a dinner table as it will be straight from the tray while binging your favorite show. Find it here.
So many people have a mental barrier built up around more ambitious recipes. The truth is, many dishes are more accessible than you think. All it takes is a little time and the willingness to try. Try out these fancy dinner recipes, and unlock a whole new repertoire for yourself, family and friends.
As a J.D. Candidate at the University of Miami Law School and Officer Candidate with the U.S. Marine Corps., Maxwell is dedicated to public service and a glutton for punishment. He's also a glutton for pasta and an avid home chef / Atlanta food enthusiast with not enough hours in the day or kitchen appliances on the shelf.