28 Recipes Your Dinner Guests Are Secretly Hoping You’ll Make

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28 Recipes Your Dinner Guests Are Secretly Hoping You’ll Make1/28 Red Pepper Cornmeal Souffle 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Red Pepper Cornmeal Souffle Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 55 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I use the vegetables from our garden in all my cooking. Dotted with parsley and red pepper, this souffle is a favorite. —Janet Eckhoff, Woodland, California Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 193 calories, 11g fat (7g saturated fat), 77mg cholesterol, 427mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 9g protein. 2/28 Slow Cooker Cassoulet with Crumb Topping Test

Kitchen Approved Slow Cooker Cassoulet with Crumb Topping Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 7 hours 20 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Classically inspired, this dish is loaded with chicken thighs, pork and smoked sausage. Tomatoes, beans and wine round out the hearty French stew, and bread crumbs thicken it slightly. —Marie Rizzio, Interlochen, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups: 482 calories, 22g fat (7g saturated fat), 129mg cholesterol, 802mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 6g fiber), 40g protein. 3/28 Chicken Tamales 16 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chicken Tamales Recipe photo by Taste

They take a little time to make but are so worth the effort

of Home Total Time 3 hours 15 min Servings 20 tamales Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I love making these homemade tamales. They take a little time to make but are so worth the effort. I usually make them for Christmas, but my family wants them more often, so I freeze a big batch. —Cindy Pruitt, Grove, Oklahoma Nutrition Facts: 2 tamales: 564 calories, 35g fat (7g saturated fat), 44mg cholesterol, 835mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 7g fiber), 20g protein. 4/28 Double Nut Baklava 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 55 min Servings

The blend of coconut, pecans and macadamia nuts is irresistible

about 3 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: It may take some time to make this rich, buttery treat, but it’s well worth the effort! The blend of coconut, pecans and macadamia nuts is irresistible. —Kari Kelley, Plains, Montana Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 174 calories, 10g fat (5g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 134mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein. 5/28 Ricotta Gnocchi with Spinach & Gorgonzola Test Kitchen Approved Ricotta Gnocchi with Spinach & Gorgonzola Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 2 hours 10 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the

Recipe Creator: When my family comes for a visit, they always ask me to make this unique dish for dinner. Homemade cheesy gnocchi is topped with a rich sauce made with butternut squash, spinach and Gorgonzola.— Brud Holland, Watkins Glen, New York Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups gnocchi with 3/4 cup spinach mixture: 833 calories, 35g fat (17g saturated fat), 248mg cholesterol, 1420mg sodium, 101g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 7g fiber), 29g protein. 6/28 French Onion Soup 63 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Classic French Onion Soup Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 2 hours 20 min Servings 12

servings (2-1/4 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Enjoy my signature French onion soup the way my granddaughter Becky does: I make onion soup for her in a crock bowl, complete with garlic croutons and gobs of melted Swiss cheese on top. —Lou Sansevero, Ferron, Utah Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup soup with 2 pieces bread and 1 tablespoon cheese: 195 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 765mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein. 7/28 Hasselback Sweet Potatoes 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Skillet Hasselback Sweet Potatoes Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total

Time 25 hours 45 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Treat your sweet-salty tooth! Sweet potatoes dressed with buttery, herby, garlicky goodness make for a stunning, delicious side dish. —Lauren Knoelke, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 hasselback sweet potato: 333 calories, 13g fat (8g saturated fat), 33mg cholesterol, 620mg sodium, 52g carbohydrate (20g sugars, 6g fiber), 5g protein. 8/28 Flaky Chicken Wellington 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Flaky Chicken Wellington Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 2 pastries (3 servings each) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This cozy,

flavorful entree takes a classic recipe and makes it super easy!

flavorful entree takes a classic recipe and makes it super easy! I like to cook the chicken a day or so ahead of time to make it even simpler to throw together on busy nights. —Kerry Dingwall, Wilmington, North Carolina Nutrition Facts: 1/3 pastry with about 3 tablespoons sauce: 495 calories, 28g fat (6g saturated fat), 144mg cholesterol, 830mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 2g fiber), 25g protein. 9/28 Sesame-Beef Pot Stickers 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 30 min Servings 2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I enjoy having these potstickers as a late-night snack.

They also work well as a quick appetizer for family parties

They also work well as a quick appetizer for family parties. —Carolyn Turner, Reno, Nevada Nutrition Facts: 1 pot sticker: 50 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 164mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein. 10/28 Turkey Shrimp Gumbo Test Kitchen Approved Turkey Shrimp Gumbo Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 2 hours 20 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This slimmed-down version of gumbo tastes just as hearty as the classic version. —Michael Williams, Westfield, New York Nutrition Facts: 1 cup with 1/2 cup rice: 381 calories, 13g

But it’s actually so easy!

fat (2g saturated fat), 88mg cholesterol, 777mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 30g protein. 11/28 Crown Roast of Pork 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Crown Roast of Pork with Mushroom Dressing Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 2 hours 15 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: It looks so elegant that everyone thinks I spent a lot of time on this roast. But it’s actually so easy! The biggest challenge is to remember to order the crown roast from the meat department ahead of time. —Betty Claycomb, Alverton, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts:

13/28 Mocha

1 pork rib plus stuffing: 404 calories, 17g fat (7g saturated fat), 106mg cholesterol, 314mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 1g fiber), 45g protein. 12/28 Homemade Pierogi 18 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Homemade Pierogi Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 5 min Servings 6 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Pierogi, dumplings stuffed with a filling, make for a wonderful change-of-pace side dish. —Diane Gawrys, Manchester, Tennessee Nutrition Facts: 4 pierogi: 373 calories, 22g fat (13g saturated fat), 86mg cholesterol, 379mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein. 13/28 Mocha

—Kerry Dingwall, Ponte Vedra, Florida 14/28

Baked Alaskas Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Make these baked Alaskas ahead of time—you can torch the completed desserts and freeze them up to 24 hours before serving. —Kerry Dingwall, Ponte Vedra, Florida 14/28 Chicken and Dumplings 103 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chicken and Dumplings Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 35 min Servings 8 servings (3 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Homemade chicken and dumplings from scratch hearken back to my childhood and chilly days when we

devoured those cute little balls of dough swimming in hot, rich broth

devoured those cute little balls of dough swimming in hot, rich broth. It’s one of those types of soup you’ll want to eat again and again. —Erika Monroe-Williams, Scottsdale, Arizona Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 470 calories, 24g fat (8g saturated fat), 104mg cholesterol, 892mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 32g protein. 15/28 Slow-Simmered Burgundy Beef Stew 14 Reviews Contest Winner Beef Bourguignon (Boeuf Bourguignon) Recipe photo by Sarah Tramonte for Taste of Home Total Time 2 hours 15 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My mother-in-law shared this recipe with me about 25

I was thrilled when

years ago. Ever since then, it’s been a go-to whenever I need good food without a lot of fussing. —Mary Lou Timpson, Colorado City, Arizona Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 419 calories, 15g fat (5g saturated fat), 106mg cholesterol, 949mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 37g protein. 16/28 Beefy Eggplant Parmigiana 10 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Beefy Eggplant Parmigiana Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 45 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I developed this recipe one summer when my husband grew eggplant in the garden. I was thrilled when

the parmigiana won high honors at a national beef contest

the parmigiana won high honors at a national beef contest. —Celeste Copper, Baton Rouge, Louisiana Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 498 calories, 33g fat (8g saturated fat), 58mg cholesterol, 841mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 22g protein. 17/28 Parmesan Risotto 14 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Parmesan Risotto Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Risotto is a creamy Italian rice dish. In this version, the rice is briefly sauteed, then slowly cooked in wine and seasonings. Watch for that magic moment when the risotto transforms from

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⭐ Expert Tips

• Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

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✅ Key Takeaways

• These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

• Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

• Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.

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