Main Dishes and Entrées

Getting dinner on the table is easy with these main dishes and entrées. Recipes from our test kitchens professionals are designed to inspire – whether you are entertaining or cooking at home.

Staff Picks

Spicy-Sweet Bacon Wrapped Shrimp

Rating: 4.5 stars 8
In under 30 minutes, you can dress crispy bacon wrapped shrimp in brown sugar, paprika, and smoked red pepper for a dynamically delicious appetizer. This combinatioin of spicy, sweet, smooth, and crunchy will keep you grabbing for more.  
By Nicole McLaughlin

Creamy Stovetop Mac and Cheese

Rating: 5 stars 1
Sharp cheddar, white cheddar, and cream cheese make this cheese sauce ultra creamy, while hot sauce and Worcestershire sauce help round out the rich, cheesy flavors. This stovetop recipe will have you wondering why you ever enjoyed mac and cheese any other way. 
By Nicole McLaughlin

Pasta Primavera with Ham and Mushrooms

Rating: 4 stars 2
It's hard to beat pasta primavera. But it's even harder to beat a 20-minute pasta primavera that only requires one skillet. Use a frozen broccoli, cauliflower, and carrot mix to save time and add color, texture, and nutrition. This recipe is one to keep in your back pocket for busy afternoons when there's no time for prep. 
By Robin Bashinsky

Sheet Pan Orange Chicken with Garlicky Green Beans

Rating: 4 stars 7
Make Orange Chicken that's cheaper, fresher, and more delicious than Chinese take-out. Believe it or not, all you need is sheet pan to make sticky, orange-glazed chicken and crisp green beans. If you can't find French green beans, blanch regular green beans for 2 minutes, dry them, and proceed with the chili sauce. Don't skip broiling the dish at the end-- that's what quickly glazes the chicken and gives the green beans that irresistable crunchy-yet-tender texture. 
By Paige Grandjean

Country Fried Beef Biscuit Sliders

Rating: 3 stars 1
Buttery, tender biscuits are the perfect vehicle for Roast Beef Steaks and the Mustard sauce is just tart enough to balance the richness of the meat. This country spin on a slider is decadent, comforting, and crowd-pleasing; great for Super Bowl get-togethers, brunch, or a cold winter morning. We love adding Pickled Red Onion for added flavor and color. White Lily self-rising flour makes the biscuits a breeze, but if you need to save time, just use your favorite brand of frozen biscuit. 
By Robby Melvin

Perfect Roasted Beef Tenderloin

Rating: 5 stars 2
This beef tenderloin recipe is magic. The result is delicious enough for a special occasion, yet it is simple enough to be made on a weeknight. You can let the beef tenderloin chill for up to 24 hours, if desired. If you prefer medium, cook the tenderloin until it reaches an internal temperature of 140-145 degrees. Purchasing high quality meat will make all of the difference in the tenderness and flavor of the final product. Serve this main with roasted potatoes, asparagus, and a glass of red  wine. 
By Robby Melvin

Roast Beef and Cheddar Sandwich with Horseradish Sauce

We are not thinkin' Arbys-- not after a roast beef sandich like this one. A classic creamy cheese sauce makes this sandwich super rich, while a horseradish sauce adds a kick. We love the onion bun, preferably bakery-made, but you could also use a pretzel bun instead. Make this sandwich the centerpiece of your Super Bowl Spread or serve along with beer and fries for a crowd-pleasing meal.  
By Robby Melvin

Individual Beef Phillyngtons

Rating: 2.5 stars 4
Everyone enjoys a philly cheesesteak or a beef wellington, but merge the two and you have the always crowd-pleasing beef phillyngton. Get the best of both worlds with these individual masterpieces of puff pastry, filet mignon, onion, and bell pepper. 
By Nicole McLaughlin

Spicy Chicken Cacciatore

Serve this saucy dish over pasta with a side salad for a restaurant-worthy meal. The recipe serves eight; if you have leftovers, transform them into soup by shredding the chicken, adding diced zucchini and carrots, and combining the sauce with chicken stock.

Mexican Chicken Stew

Ground guajillo chile powder is found in Mexican markets and adds a complexity to the stew that regular chili powder cannot. Though it's more mild compared to other chile powders, guajillo chile powder is tangy, smoky, and rich. 

"Ham" for Two

Rating: 4.5 stars 3
Holiday ham leftovers take weeks to finish. Instead, prepare a basic one pound pork tenderloin just as you would prepare a ham. The result is a traditionally brined, brown-sugar-coated "ham" for two in just one day. It even comes out pink! This recipe uses pink brining salt from Williams Sonoma, but you could use Prague #1 instead. 
By Robin Bashinsky

Smoked Pork and Split Pea Soup

An immersion blender is handy for pureeing this soup. Cardamon, allspice, anise, sherry, thyme, cumin, and bay leaf create a rich blended flavor when melded together in your slow cooker. Make this soup for comfort on a chilly winter night, with leftovers for lunch the next day. 
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Inspiration and Ideas

15+ Copycat Main Dishes to Satisfy Your Ultimate Restaurant Cravings
Skip the line or drive-thru with these flavorful copycat versions of your restaurant favorites.
15 Easy Dump Dinners That Scream "Fall"
From hearty slow-cooked soups and stews to satisfying sheet pan suppers, these simple, fall-friendly recipes practically cook themselves.  
Ahi Tuna Poke Pizza

This fresh, spring-inspired vehicle for poke proves that pizza doesn't have to be unhealthy! You'll want to use the freshest ahi tuna you can get your hands on for this vibrant, company-worthy entree.