47 Quick Dinners for Surprise Guests

Read Time: 20 mins

47 Quick Dinners for Surprise Guests2/46 Pork Chops with Parmesan Sauce 11 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Pork Chops with Parmesan Sauce Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Tender skillet chops make a speedy weeknight meal. These ones are finished with a creamy and flavorful Parmesan sauce. Here’s a new family favorite! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 1 pork chop with 1/4 cup sauce: 244 calories, 11g fat (5g saturated fat), 69mg cholesterol, 475mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 0 fiber), 27g protein. Diabetic Exchanges:

3 lean meat, 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat

3 lean meat, 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat. 3/46 Dill Sauce for Salmon 93 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved SARAH TRAMONTE FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 35 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: There’s nothing like fresh salmon, and my mom bakes it just right so it nearly melts in your mouth. Plus, the sour cream dill sauce is subtly seasoned with horseradish so that it doesn’t overpower the delicate salmon flavor. —Susan Emery, Everett, Washington Nutrition Facts: 4 ounces cooked salmon with about 2 tablespoons sauce: 418 calories, 33g fat (11g saturated fat), 100mg cholesterol,

643mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 26g protein

643mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 26g protein. 4/46 Beef and Mushrooms with Smashed Potatoes 31 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Grace Natoli Sheldon for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I was inspired to make this recipe after I couldn’t stop thinking of a similar dish served in my elementary school cafeteria more than 50 years ago! I like that it’s quick to make, and my husband and grandchildren love it. —Ronna Farley, Rockville, Maryland Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 517 calories, 26g fat (12g saturated fat), 100mg

cholesterol, 896mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 28g protein

cholesterol, 896mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 28g protein. 5/46 Cauliflower & Tofu Curry 8 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Cauliflower & Tofu Curry Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Cauliflower, garbanzo beans and tofu are each subtle on their own, but together they make an awesome base for curry. We have this recipe weekly because one of us is always craving it. —Patrick McGilvray, Cincinnati, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups: 338 calories, 21g fat (13g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 528mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (9g

sugars, 7g fiber), 13g protein

sugars, 7g fiber), 13g protein. 6/46 Salmon Linguine 14 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Sarah Tramonte for Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 5 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Extra Pesto Grilled Salmon gives this creamy pasta toss a luxurious taste and texture. We love it as is, but you could easily sub in any veggies you have on hand for the broccoli. —Jacob Kitzman, Seattle, Washington Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups: 802 calories, 55g fat (30g saturated fat), 207mg cholesterol, 649mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 6g fiber), 36g protein. 7/46 Parmesan Chicken with Lemon Rice

This easy-peasy meal fits the bill

7 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Parmesan Chicken with Lemon Rice Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I like the challenge of inventing recipes with ingredients I have on hand. This easy-peasy meal fits the bill. —Colleen Doucette, Truro, Nova Scotia Nutrition Facts: 3 ounces cooked chicken with 3/4 cup rice: 500 calories, 14g fat (4g saturated fat), 96mg cholesterol, 623mg sodium, 55g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 36g protein. 8/46 Rosemary Lamb Chops 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Rosemary Lamb Chops Recipe photo by

It’s the perfect main course for holidays or get-togethers

Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My father loves lamb, so I make this rosemary lamb chop recipe whenever he visits. It’s the perfect main course for holidays or get-togethers. —Kristina Mitchell, Clearwater, Florida Nutrition Facts: 2 lamb chops: 231 calories, 9g fat (4g saturated fat), 97mg cholesterol, 493mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 32g protein. Diabetic Exchange: 4 lean meat. 9/46 Honey Chicken Stir-Fry 76 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Honey Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go

Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 vegetable, 1/2 starch

to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I’m a new mom, and my schedule is very dependent upon our young son, so I like meals that can be ready in as little time as possible. This all-in-one chicken stir fry recipe with a hint of sweetness from honey is a big time-saver. —Caroline Sperry, Allentown, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 1 cup stir-fry: 249 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 455mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 3g fiber), 25g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 vegetable, 1/2 starch. 10/46 Fettuccine Carbonara 18 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Fettuccine Carbonara

I’ve made it my own over the last 25 years

Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When a man at church found out how much my family likes fettuccine, he shared his Italian grandmother’s carbonara recipe with us. I’ve made it my own over the last 25 years. Grated Parmesan cheese works just as well as Romano. —Kristine Chayes, Smithtown, New York Nutrition Facts: 1 cup (calculated without additional cheese): 495 calories, 19g fat (9g saturated fat), 162mg cholesterol, 684mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 25g protein. 11/46 Spicy Lemon Chicken Kabobs 8 Reviews

Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 fat

Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Spicy Lemon Chicken Kabobs Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When I see Meyer lemons in the store, I know it must be spring. I like using them for these easy chicken kabobs, but regular grilled lemons still add the signature smoky tang. —Terri Crandall, Gardnerville, Nevada Nutrition Facts: 1 kabob: 182 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 55mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 23g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 fat. 12/46 Deconstructed Pear Pork

You’ll be tempted to eat this main dish right out of the pan but try to resist

Chops 12 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: You’ll be tempted to eat this main dish right out of the pan but try to resist. These chops are sure to wow guests at the dinner table. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 pork chop with 3/4 cup stuffing mixture: 603 calories, 28g fat (14g saturated fat), 127mg cholesterol, 1094mg sodium, 47g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 5g fiber), 38g protein. 13/46 Creole Shrimp & Sausage 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Creole Shrimp & Sausage Recipe photo

by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Add diversity to weeknight meals and get a taste of low-country cuisine with this simple take on a Louisiana Creole classic that uses bulgur instead of rice. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups sausage mixture with 1/2 cup bulgur: 510 calories, 19g fat (7g saturated fat), 108mg cholesterol, 1287mg sodium, 57g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 15g fiber), 30g protein. 14/46 Saucy Thai Beef Noodles 26 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to

I like to double the recipe and add extra vegetables

Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This stir-fry has been a family favorite for some time. I like to double the recipe and add extra vegetables. —Janelle Lee, Appleton, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups: 536 calories, 19g fat (4g saturated fat), 31mg cholesterol, 795mg sodium, 58g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 5g fiber), 34g protein. 15/46 Sausage and Mushroom Pasta 27 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Sausage and Mushroom Pasta Recipe photo by Eric Kleinberg for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: In Rome, we dined near the Pantheon. The amazing restaurant is

now history, but its memory lives on in this tasty pasta with mushrooms and sausage. —Barbara Roozrokh, Brookfield, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1/2 cup meat mixture with 1 cup pasta: 570 calories, 37g fat (19g saturated fat), 115mg cholesterol, 529mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 17g protein. 16/46 Chinese Pepper Steak 19 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chinese Pepper Steak Recipe photo by Julia Hartbeck for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Bell peppers, mushrooms and ginger provide the bulk of the flavor in this stir-fry that’s not too

Hot rice makes it even better

saucy. Hot rice makes it even better. —Billie Moss, Walnut Creek, California Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups beef mixture: 241 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 64mg cholesterol, 841mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 25g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 vegetable, 1 fat. 17/46 Meatball Pizza 18 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved TASTE OF HOME Total Time 25 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I always keep meatballs and pizza crusts in the freezer to make this specialty on the spur of the moment. Add a tossed salad and you have a delicious

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• 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.

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