17 Go-To Recipes for Special Dinners—And Why They Work

Need a dinner that’s both impressive and easy? These 17 recipes are your ticket to a memorable night—delicious, quick, and full of flavor!

One Pot Easy Ground Beef Stroganoff

A close-up of a pot of beef stroganoff with wide egg noodles being scooped by a spoon, showcasing one of our 14 easy dinner recipes. The dish is garnished with parsley. — One Pot Ground Beef Stroganoff. Photo Credit: The Crumby Kitchen.

Skip the canned soup and make this One Pot Easy Ground Beef Stroganoff! Fresh mushrooms, lean beef, and egg noodles bring all the comfort without the fuss!
Get the Recipe: One Pot Ground Beef Stroganoff

French Dip Sandwiches with Caramelized Onion Au Jus

A plate of French dip 12 onion sandwiches with potato chips, a bowl of dipping sauce, sliced meat on a wooden board, and caramelized onions in a small dish. — French Dip Sandwiches with Caramelized Onion Au Jus. Photo Credit: The Crumby Kitchen.

These French Dip Sandwiches with Caramelized Onion Au Jus are all about tender London broil—but leftover holiday roasts make a great substitute!
Get the Recipe: French Dip Sandwiches with Caramelized Onion Au Jus

Best Blackstone Chicken Breast

Blackstone Chicken Breast with green beans on a white plate with a fork. — Best Blackstone Chicken Breast. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

These Blackstone chicken breasts are packed with flavor and perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or backyard BBQ—plus, they’re low carb and keto-friendly!
Get the Recipe: Best Blackstone Chicken Breast

Reverse Sear Porterhouse Steak

Seared Porterhouse Steak with butter, parsley, and asparagus on a white plate. — Reverse Sear Porterhouse Steak. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Nothing beats a perfectly cooked Reverse Sear Porterhouse Steak—tender filet, juicy strip steak, and full of flavor in every bite!
Get the Recipe: Reverse Sear Porterhouse Steak

Smoked Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin

Savor the smoky perfection of Traeger Smoked Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin—tender, juicy pork wrapped in crispy bacon for the ultimate flavor punch!
Get the Recipe: Smoked Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin

Tuscan Smothered Pork Chops

A spoonful of creamy vegetable stew with visible carrots, herbs, and a rich sauce highlights the simplicity of 10 skillet meals enjoyed any night of the week. — Easy Tuscan Smothered Pork Chops. Photo Credit: The Crumby Kitchen.

Take comfort food up a notch with these Tuscan Smothered Pork Chops! Brined for juiciness and topped with a creamy herb & garlic Parmesan gravy.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Smothered Pork Chops

Traeger Smoked Pork Chop

These Traeger Smoked Pork Chops are cooked to perfection—smoky, succulent, and tender. Unlock the secret to mouthwatering flavor that’ll leave you craving more!
Get the Recipe: Traeger Smoked Pork Chop

Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs

Instant Pot Baby Back Rib dipped in barbeque sauce in a glass bowl — Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

These Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender and bursting with flavor—taste like BBQ joint perfection in under an hour!
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs

Easy Broiled Chicken Leg Quarters

Quick and easy, these Broiled Chicken Leg Quarters are seasoned with garlic and fresh lemon, cooked in 30 minutes, and fit perfectly into your paleo and keto diet
Get the Recipe: Easy Broiled Chicken Leg Quarters

Instant Pot Carnitas Tacos

Three tacos filled with shredded meat, slices of avocado, radishes, and other vegetables on a wooden board, garnished with lime wedges and served alongside a bowl of corn salsa. — Instant Pot Carnitas Tacos. Photo Credit: The Crumby Kitchen.

Taco Tuesday just got better with these Instant Pot Carnitas Tacos! Flavorful garlic and citrus-infused pulled pork ready in about an hour for taco perfection!
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Carnitas Tacos

Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese

Bowl of pasta with creamy sauce, garnished with chopped green onions and drizzled with a dark sauce. A fork is in the bowl, making it one of the top 10 instant pot recipes for quick and delicious meals. — Instant Pot BBQ Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: The Crumby Kitchen.

Try BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese at your next cookout—Instant Pot magic in just 30 minutes, combining creamy pasta and leftover grilled chicken for a delicious twist!
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot BBQ Mac and Cheese

Chicken Tikka Masala

In this delectable recipe, a black bowl contains rice topped with chunks of meat in a creamy orange curry sauce, garnished with cilantro. A piece of naan bread sits on the side, all presented on a dark surface. — Chicken Tikka Masala. Photo Credit: The Crumby Kitchen.

Skip the takeout and make Chicken Tikka Masala at home! Tender, yogurt-marinated chicken in a creamy, spiced tomato sauce—perfect with naan on a cool night.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tikka Masala

Tender Marinated London Broil Recipe

Slices of medium-rare beef steak being drizzled with a dark sauce, displayed on a wooden cutting board with a knife in the background. — Tender Marinated London Broil Recipe. Photo Credit: The Crumby Kitchen.

Unlock the secret to tender, flavorful Marinated London Broil! A simple balsamic-wine marinade and a little patience give you a dinner that's worth the wait.
Get the Recipe: Tender Marinated London Broil Recipe

Low Carb Sushi Rolls

Keto Friendly Sushi Rolls served on a black board. — Low Carb Sushi Rolls. Photo credit: Low Carb - No Carb.

Make sushi the low-carb way with cauliflower rice! This easy recipe is gluten-free, grain-free, and perfect for anyone watching their carbs or sugar!
Get the Recipe: Low Carb Sushi Rolls

The Best Instant Pot Rump Roast Recipe

This Instant Pot Rump Roast is the easiest you’ll ever make! Whether in an Instant Pot, pressure cooker, or slow cooker, it’s a family favorite every time!
Get the Recipe: The Best Instant Pot Rump Roast Recipe

Instant Pot Green Chicken Curry (Thai Green Curry Recipe)

The Best Thai Green Curry Recipe made in the Instant Pot for a quick, flavorful meal! This low-carb green chicken curry can also be made in a slow cooker!
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Green Chicken Curry (Thai Green Curry Recipe)

Slow Cooker Pork Chops & Vegetables

A plate of cooked steak garnished with herbs, served with roasted potatoes, mushrooms, carrots, onions, and covered in a brown sauce. A fork is placed on the right side of the plate. — Slow Cooker Pork Chops & Vegetables. Photo Credit: The Crumby Kitchen.

These Slow Cooker Pork Chops and Vegetables are fork-tender and juicy—smothered in a delicious mushroom and onion gravy, for the easiest no-fuss meal!
Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Chops & Vegetables