Gourmet recipes often seem intimidating, but the truth is, creating impressive dishes doesn’t have to be too complex. These 17 great recipes look like they require a chef’s touch but are actually perfect for anyone to make. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or just want to spice up your weekly meal plan, these dishes will make you look like a culinary genius without all the hard work.
Tuscan Garlic Shrimp with Spinach
This dish features shrimp combined with minced garlic, onions, grape tomatoes, and spinach for a colorful, nutritious mix. The sautéing process infuses the shrimp with a bold garlic flavor, and all you’ll need is one pan! The best part is it takes little time to prepare — only 25 minutes — creating a gourmet experience that’s simple to achieve.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Garlic Shrimp with Spinach
Hungarian Mushroom Soup
Hungarian Mushroom Soup is a gourmet dish that’s hearty yet easy to prepare. The recipe begins with mushrooms and onions sautéed together in butter. These ingredients then simmer in a creamy broth of milk and sour cream thickened with flour, finished off with seasonings and herbs for a soup that’s rich in flavor. This dish pairs well with crusty bread or a fresh salad for a more filling meal.
Get the Recipe: Hungarian Mushroom Soup
Lemon Garlic Scallops
If you want to make a gourmet-level dish in only 25 minutes, try this Lemon Garlic Scallops recipe. Sear scallops in a cast iron skillet until golden to maintain a tender, juicy interior. Then, enhance their flavor with lemon and a sauce made of garlic, butter, and vegetable stock for a bright, tangy flavor. This simple recipe brings out the natural richness of the scallops, making a meal that’s perfect to serve with a light salad or steamed vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Garlic Scallops
Sausage Curry
This Sausage Curry is a one-pan dish where sausages and vegetables simmer in a flavorful tomato and coconut milk broth. It’s versatile and pairs well with rice, potatoes, bread, or even more vegetables. Ready in just 45 minutes, it’s an easy way to make a gourmet-style dinner without extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Curry
Chicken Pot Pie Soup
This recipe captures the essence of a classic chicken pot pie in a hearty soup. It features chicken mixed with carrots, peas, potatoes, and other vegetables in a creamy broth. The soup is thickened with flour, giving it a velvety texture, and is finished with a sprinkle of parsley for color and freshness. It’s a comforting meal that creates a gourmet soup in one pot, ready in about 1 hour.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Soup
White Bean Soup
White Bean Soup creates a gourmet flavor with simple steps. This dish highlights tender white beans and other vegetables simmered in vegetable broth to create a flavorful and filling soup. The beans are partially mashed to naturally thicken the soup and achieve a creamy texture. In only 40 minutes, you’ll have this dish ready to serve with a sandwich, bread, or salad!
Get the Recipe: White Bean Soup
Creamy Dijon Chicken
This one-pan recipe keeps it simple: chicken thighs get seared and simmered in a creamy Dijon sauce with bacon, onion, cheese, and spinach. It’s sharp, creamy, and done in about 30 minutes. Serve it with rice or noodles for an easy, no-fuss dinner that feels fancy without the work.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
For an impressive gourmet dinner that doesn’t require extensive kitchen time, try making this Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce. It combines chicken thighs, mushrooms, and sun-dried tomatoes in a creamy sauce. Finished with grated Parmesan cheese, this dish is refined yet easy to prepare in only 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
Chicken Tortellini Soup
This creamy soup combines poached chicken, vegetables, and cheese tortellini in a savory broth. The tortellini gives the dish a gourmet feel, though it can be made with only a few steps in 40 minutes. The soup has a chicken broth base to keep it hearty yet not too heavy, perfect for serving at a dinner party or a family dinner. For a more complete meal, pair this soup with bread or salad!
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup
Creamy Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts
Create Creamy Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts in only 30 minutes. Chicken thighs and artichoke hearts are cooked in a creamy, lemony sauce, transforming simple ingredients into an extraordinary dish. Requiring only one pan, this recipe is great for making a big impression with minimal kitchen time. Serve it with pasta or steamed vegetables for a meal that tastes like it came from a gourmet restaurant.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts
Italian Sausage Soup
This hearty Italian sausage soup combines Italian sausage, cream cheese, canned tomatoes, and heavy cream, simmered together to create a deep, rich flavor. For a touch of heat, you can even add in jalapeños, red pepper flakes, or cayenne. Ready in just 30 minutes and made in one pot, this dish is perfect for impressing guests with a gourmet meal without the huge cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage Soup
Keto Zuppa Toscana
Recreate a gourmet meal with this Zuppa Toscana. Garlic, Italian sausage, radishes, and kale simmer together in a creamy broth, creating a rich, layered taste experience. Swapping traditional potatoes for radishes makes it healthier without sacrificing flavor. It’s a one-pot meal that only takes 1 hour and is perfect for a fancy dinner at home.
Get the Recipe: Keto Zuppa Toscana
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup
Treat yourself to the flavors of sweet potato and red pepper soup. Creamy sweet potatoes and red peppers are pureed in one pot, easily creating a rich texture and hearty taste. This soup is ready in about an hour with minimal effort, making it a great choice for those seeking something gourmet without spending all evening in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup
Wild Rice Mushroom Soup
This soup features earthy mushrooms and nutty wild rice in a smooth broth, creating a rich flavor in only 1 hour and 5 minutes. Such complex flavors are typically found in dishes that take much longer to cook, making this a great option for a gourmet meal that’s easy to prepare. It’s also a one-pot meal that’s quick to clean up after, perfect for a lazy night in.
Get the Recipe: Wild Rice Mushroom Soup
Creamy Garlic Chicken
Enjoy a rich and flavorful meal with creamy garlic chicken. This dish combines chicken in a thick creamy sauce made of chicken stock, onions, and garlic, highlighting basic ingredients that come together for an easy, gourmet meal. Ready in just 30 minutes and perfect over pasta, veggies, or rice, this recipe is a quick way to prepare a versatile dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken
Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms
Transform the humble cauliflower into a gourmet dish with this risotto recipe. Cook cauliflower rice, mushrooms, and onions in chicken broth, cream, and cheese, garnish with thyme and pepper, and serve! This dish is seasoned to perfection and ready in only 30 minutes. Using one pan, it keeps cleanup light and easy while delivering a comforting, sophisticated meal.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms
Fried Cabbage with Bacon
This dish pairs the savory crunch of bacon with tender fried cabbage, creating a filling meal with just a few ingredients and steps. Use a large skillet or Dutch oven to comfortably cook everything. With its big flavors and minimal effort, this recipe is perfect for adding a gourmet touch to any weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon