Step Up Your Dinner Game With These 17 Must-Try Recipes

If you want to step up your dinner, consider trying out some new recipes. We’ve put together a list of must-try dishes that are simple to prepare and delicious to eat. These aren’t complicated or exotic recipes but everyday meals with a little extra kick. So wave goodbye to your usual dinner routine and get ready to add some new favorites to your weekly menu!

Two tacos on a plate with a sauce.
Sweet Potato Tacos. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Air Fryer Cheese Quesadilla

Some picking up a slice of cheese quesadilla.
Air Fryer Cheese Quesadilla. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Have an air fryer at home? Then this Cheese Quesadilla recipe is for you. Crisp tortilla, melted cheese, it’s a match made in heaven. A simple yet delicious recipe like this is all you need to take your dinner game up a notch.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Cheese Quesadilla

Epic Bean Chili

Two bowls of chili with onions and sour cream.
Epic Bean Chili. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

When it comes to a bowl of comfort, nothing beats this Epic Bean Chili. It’s a mix of beans, veggies, and just the right amount of spice. Try this out for a change, it’s a perfect way to step up your comfort food dinner game.
Get the Recipe: Epic Bean Chili

Pasta Alla Norma

Pasta alla Norma in a Dutch oven.
Pasta Alla Norma. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Fancy a taste of Italy for dinner? Pasta Alla Norma is just what you need. It’s a simple dish, just pasta, eggplant, tomato sauce, basil, and ricotta. But trust me, simple here definitely doesn’t mean boring. This is a serious step up from your usual pasta night.
Get the Recipe: Pasta Alla Norma

25 Minute Black Bean Burger

A black bean burger in a burger bap with relish oozing out over it.
25 Minute Black Bean Burger. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Don’t let the simplicity of these 25 Minute Black Bean Burgers fool you, they’re loaded with flavor. A quick dinner that’ll make you rethink plant-based meals. They’re proof that stepping up your dinner game doesn’t have to be time-consuming.
Get the Recipe: 25 Minute Black Bean Burger

Thai Yellow Curry

Thai Yellow Curry. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.
Thai Yellow Curry. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Indulge in a world of flavors with Thai Yellow Curry. It’s spicy, it’s coconutty, and it’s utterly delicious. Serve it with some fluffy basmati rice and you’ve got a dinner that’s far beyond the usual. A great way to step up your dinner game, don’t you think?
Get the Recipe: Thai Yellow Curry

Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna

A lasagna being dished up.
Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

As for lasagna lovers, this Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna is sure to impress. It’s a tasty combo of creamy ricotta, fresh spinach, and tangy marinara sauce. Swapping out your regular lasagna for this one is definitely a step up!
Get the Recipe: Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna

Spaghetti Marinara

Spaghetti marinara in a bowl with fresh basil on top..
Spaghetti Marinara. Photo credit: .

Simple and classic – that’s what Spaghetti Marinara is all about. Delicious pasta, rich tomato sauce, and cheese for a comforting dish. Why not upgrade your spaghetti nights with this lovely dish and step up your dinner game?
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Marinara

Penne Alla Vodka

Two bowls of penne alla vodka, with Parmesan by the side.
Penne Alla Vodka. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Next time you’re in mood for pasta, give Penne Alla Vodka a go. This is just the kind of pasta dish you need to transform an ordinary evening into an Italian holiday, certainly, a great way to ramp up the standard pastas.
Get the Recipe: Penne Alla Vodka

Veggie Burger

A homemade veggie burger in a bun, on a wooden plate, ready to eat.
Veggie Burger. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Who said burgers need to be all about meat? This Veggie Burger is all about savoring the goodness of fresh vegetables packed into a delicious burger. Plus, it’s entirely plant-based, which means you get to enjoy your dinner guilt-free. This shift is sure to add some spice to your dinner routine.
Get the Recipe: Veggie Burger

Cauliflower Steaks

Cauliflower steaks with pomegranate and pistachios on a plate.
Cauliflower Steaks. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Consider giving the traditional steak a veggie-based transformation. These Cauliflower Steaks are a unique take on the classic, offering a blend of earthy flavors and a perfect bite. It’s an amazingly tasty way to enjoy one of the most versatile vegetables in a whole new light. If you wish to step up your veggie game, this unique dish is the perfect choice.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Steaks

Baked Potato

Baked potatoes on a serving dish with sour cream and fresh parsley.
Baked Potato. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

The humble potato can be transformed into something quite spectacular with a bit of oven magic. A baked potato, crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside, works perfectly as a blank canvas for toppings. Get creative with it; sour cream, cheese, chives, beans, anything goes. This simple, yet surprisingly versatile dinner staple is ready to take your meals to the next level.
Get the Recipe: Baked Potato

Vegetable Stew

A bowl of stew with bread and carrots.
Vegetable Stew. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

A hearty Vegetable Stew is the epitome of comfort food – nourishing, warming and filled with wonderful flavors. Dishes like this are what make stepping up your dinner game not just rewarding, but also quite enjoyable. It’s time to enjoy your veggies cooked slow, and cooked right.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Stew

Easy Burrito

Someone stacking veggie burritos.
Easy Burrito. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Take your typical dinner flavors for a spin with an Easy Burrito. It’s perfect, it’s simple, it’s totally worthy of the dinner table, and it can accommodate a variety of fillings to cater to your preferences. Whether you roll it up with rice, beans, cheese, salsa, or sour cream, it’s sure to bring some excitement to your regular dinner routine.
Get the Recipe: Easy Burrito

Sweet Potato Tacos

Two tacos on a plate with a sauce.
Sweet Potato Tacos. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Swap out your regular tacos for these creative Sweet Potato Tacos. They’re a colorful mix of sweet potatoes, black beans, and your favorite salsa. A fun and tasty way to change up your taco night and truly step up your dinner game.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Tacos

Easy Pesto Pasta

A bowl of pesto pasta with pine nuts and parmesan cheese.
Easy Pesto Pasta. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Who knew that a handful of basil, some nuts, and a little cheese could transform pasta into something entirely divine? That’s the essence of Easy Pesto Pasta. It’s simple, yet equally capable of bringing a touch of gourmet to your dinner. Don’t shy away from adding this to your dinner menu.
Get the Recipe: Easy Pesto Pasta

Vegetable Bhuna

Three bowls of international potato  curry with rice and naan.
Vegetable Bhuna. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

For an adventurous dinner, look no further than the flavorful Vegetable Bhuna. This dish of vegetables cooked in a thick, spicy gravy is a treat for the senses. It’s your opportunity to break away from the norm and savor a different cuisine. Surely, a unique twist to help spice up your dinner nights.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Bhuna

Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

A delicious and simple pasta recipe topped with parmesan cheese and parsley.
Spaghetti Aglio e Olio. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Calling all garlic lovers; simple yet classic, Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is an Italian staple that adds a world of flavor to your pasta nights. It’s a minimalist dish, yet the flavors can compete with even the most complex dishes. It’s definitely a step up from your standard spaghetti, and it might soon become a go-to favorite.
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

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