39 Impressive Dinners for Your Cooking Bucket List
39 Impressive Dinners for Your Cooking Bucket List
Read Time: 18 mins
39 Impressive Dinners for Your Cooking Bucket List
1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When serving this entree as part of a buffet, try using chafing dish to keep it warm. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 1 duck breast half with 1/4 cup chutney and 1 tablespoon sauce: 525 calories, 30g fat (11g saturated fat), 81mg cholesterol, 456mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (38g sugars, 3g fiber), 18g protein. 4/39 Pork Tenderloin with Three-Berry Salsa 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 55 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the
It took several tries, but this is the delicious result
Recipe Creator: My husband came home from a work meeting that had served pork with a spicy blueberry salsa. He was amazed at how tasty it was, so I came up with my own rendition without seeing or tasting what he had. It took several tries, but this is the delicious result. —Angie Phillips, Tarzana, California Nutrition Facts: 3 ounces cooked pork with 2/3 cup salsa and 3 tablespoons sauce: 239 calories, 9g fat (2g saturated fat), 64mg cholesterol, 645mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 5g fiber), 25g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1/2 starch, 1/2 fruit. 5/39 Nana’s
It’s unique and really special in our family
Italian Roulade 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 2 hours Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My great-aunt from Sicily taught my mother how to stuff and bake a steak in a jelly-roll style. It’s unique and really special in our family. —Roseanne McDonald, Days Creek, Oregon Nutrition Facts: 1 slice with 3/4 cup sauce (calculated without spaghetti): 331 calories, 15g fat (5g saturated fat), 119mg cholesterol, 1491mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 4g fiber), 26g protein. 6/39 Baked Balsamic Chicken 29 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 2
hours 20 min Servings 12 servings (1-1/2 cups onion sauce) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: As far as roast chicken ideas go, this baked balsamic chicken recipe is one of our favorites. When the aroma from this dish fills your house, your family will think you spent all day cooking. But this elegant Sunday-special roast chicken, flavored with rosemary, wine and balsamic vinegar, is surprisingly simple to make. —Tracy Tylkowski, Omaha, Nebraska Nutrition Facts: 3 ounces cooked chicken (skin removed) with 2 tablespoons sauce: 182 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 77mg cholesterol, 275mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (2g
sugars, 0 fiber), 25g protein
sugars, 0 fiber), 25g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat. 7/39 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 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
sugars, 4g fiber), 37g protein. 8/39 Pineapple-Glazed Ham 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Easy Pineapple-Glazed Ham Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 2 hours 10 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This pineapple ham glaze is straightforward and simple—just what you’re looking for in a holiday main dish. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 5 ounces cooked ham: 329 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 116mg cholesterol, 1425mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (27g sugars, 0 fiber), 39g protein. 9/39 Dad’s Famous Stuffies 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Dad’s Famous Stuffies Recipe
photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 35 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: The third of July is almost as important as July Fourth in my family. We make these stuffed clams on the third every year, and it’s an event in and of itself! —Karen Barros, Bristol, Rhode Island Nutrition Facts: 3 stuffed clams: 296 calories, 11g fat (3g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 1188mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 18g protein. 10/39 Braised Short Ribs 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Braised Short Ribs with Gravy Recipe photo by Taste
of Home Total Time 2 hours Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This recipe can be finished in a slow cooker which makes it very helpful during those very busy days.—Susan Kinsella, East Falmouth, Massachusetts Nutrition Facts: 1 serving.: 310 calories, 19g fat (7g saturated fat), 66mg cholesterol, 507mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 20g protein. 11/39 Club Roll-Ups 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Club Roll-Ups Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Packed with meat, cheese and olives, these roll-ups
are always a hit at parties
are always a hit at parties. —Linda Searl, Pampa, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1 roll-up: 554 calories, 29g fat (12g saturated fat), 80mg cholesterol, 1802mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 7g fiber), 27g protein. 12/39 Stuffed Salmon Test Kitchen Approved TASTE OF HOME Total Time 45 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: You could get stuffed salmon from a big-box store, but my fillets are loaded with flavor from crab, cream cheese and savory herbs. We love them. —Mary Cokenour, Monticello, Utah Nutrition Facts: 1 stuffed fillet: 478 calories, 30g fat (8g saturated fat), 131mg cholesterol,
559mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 41g protein
559mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 41g protein. 13/39 Rack of Lamb 1 Review Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Perfect Rack of Lamb Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Rack of lamb is elegant. It’s special. And it will have your guests thinking you went all out. They don’t have to know how simple rack of lamb really is to prepare. —Susan Nilsson, Sterling, Virginia Nutrition Facts: 1/2 rack: 307 calories, 19g fat (6g saturated fat), 100mg cholesterol, 241mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (0 sugars,
1g fiber), 30g protein
1g fiber), 30g protein. 14/39 Cranberry-Orange Roast Ducklings 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Cranberry-Orange Roast Ducklings Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 3 hours 20 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I came up with this recipe few years ago. The first time I served it, there wasn’t a speck of food left on the platter and I knew I had a winning recipe. —Gloria Warczak, Cedarburg, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 8 ounces cooked duck: 373 calories, 21g fat (7g saturated fat), 61mg cholesterol, 517mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (27g sugars, 1g fiber), 16g protein.
16/39 Chicken Tikka Masala 17 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved
15/39 Homemade Ravioli 19 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Homemade Ravioli Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 2 hours 10 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I love to bake and cook—especially Italian dishes like this homemade ravioli recipe. In fact, my idea of a perfect day consists of cooking my family’s favorite foods then watching them dig in!—Lori Daniels, Hartland, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 10 ravioli: 856 calories, 27g fat (13g saturated fat), 279mg cholesterol, 1139mg sodium, 110g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 7g fiber), 42g protein. 16/39 Chicken Tikka Masala 17 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved
that’s simply amazing
Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe photo by Diana Chistruga for Taste of Home Total Time 4 hours 40 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This Indian-style chicken tikka masala recipe has flavors that keep me coming back for more—a simple dish spiced with garam masala, cumin and gingerroot that’s simply amazing. —Jaclyn Bell, Logan, Utah Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups chicken mixture (calculated without rice): 381 calories, 19g fat (9g saturated fat), 118mg cholesterol, 864mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 33g protein. 17/39 Spinach Pork Tenderloin 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Spinach Pork Tenderloin Recipe
—Linda Rae Lee of San Francisco, California
photo by Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Stuffed with fresh spinach and artichoke hearts, these pork slices look fancy enough for guests. —Linda Rae Lee of San Francisco, California. Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 259 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 68mg cholesterol, 485mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (21g sugars, 1g fiber), 26g protein. 18/39 Slow-Cooker Sauerbraten 21 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Slow-Cooker Sauerbraten Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 6 hours 20 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My family is of
💡 Frequently Asked Questions
⭐ Expert Tips
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Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.
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Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.
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Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.
✅ Key Takeaways
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These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.
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Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.
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Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.
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