Pappardelle al Cinghiale (Pappardelle with Wild Boar Ragù)
Pappardelle with slow-simmered wild boar ragù and pecorino
What dinner time covers
Dinner-time recipes are defined by when they are eaten, not by a single cuisine, technique or level of formality. They can be one-pan dishes, multi-component meals, soups, salads, grills, roasts, pasta, rice dishes and more. What tends to distinguish dinner from earlier meals is the expectation of a fuller plate and a clearer sense of “main and sides”, even if the sides are as simple as a salad or a bowl of vegetables. Dinner also often benefits from recipes that scale, because it is a common moment to cook for more than one person. That said, dinner can be light or substantial, depending on appetite, season and what the rest of the day has held.
Top picks in Dinner time
Gelato al Limone (Italian Lemon Gelato)
Italian lemon gelato made with fresh zest and juice
Kaaskroketten (Belgian Cheese Croquettes)
Belgian cheese croquettes with cheddar béchamel and a crisp coating
Tostadas de Tinga con Crema (Chicken Tinga Tostadas)
Crisp tostadas topped with chicken tinga, crema and lettuce
Imam Baildi (Greek Stuffed Aubergines with Tomato and Onion)
Baked aubergines stuffed with tomato, onion and garlic
Cajun Chicken Étouffée
Cajun chicken étouffée with dark roux served over rice
Dinner formats that make planning easier
Many dinner-time recipes naturally fall into a few practical formats. There are complete-in-one dishes, such as stews, curries, tray bakes and pasta bakes, where the side can be optional. There are “main plus side” meals, such as grilled or roasted proteins with vegetables and a starch. And there are lighter dinners, where a substantial salad, soup, or vegetable-led dish is the main event, sometimes supported by bread or grains. Sauces, dressings and condiments matter at dinner because they can turn simple ingredients into a coherent plate, and they often allow you to vary the meal without changing the core method.
All recipes in Dinner time
Agedashi Tofu (Fried Tofu in Dashi Broth)
Crisp fried tofu served in warm dashi broth
Youvetsi (Greek Beef Stew with Orzo)
Greek beef stew baked with orzo in tomato and cinnamon
Psarosoupa (Greek Fish Soup with Lemon and Vegetables)
Light Greek fish soup finished with lemon and olive oil
Revithada (Greek Slow Cooked Chickpea Stew with Tomato and Lemon)
Slow cooked Greek chickpea stew with tomato and lemon
Horta Vrasta (Greek Boiled Greens with Olive Oil and Lemon)
Boiled greens with olive oil, lemon and sea salt
Kotlet Schabowy (Polish Breaded Pork Cutlet)
Breaded Polish pork cutlet fried until golden and crisp
Gołąbki (Polish Cabbage Rolls with Pork and Rice)
Polish cabbage rolls filled with pork and rice
Vol-au-Vent (Chicken and Mushroom Puff Pastry Cases)
Vol-au-vent with chicken and mushrooms in creamy sauce
Bacalhau Cakes (Portuguese Salt Cod Fritters)
Crisp salt cod and potato cakes served with lemon
Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá (Portuguese Salt Cod Casserole)
Portuguese salt cod bake with potatoes, eggs and olives
Stoofperen (Dutch Spiced Stewed Pears in Red Wine)
Pears stewed in red wine with cinnamon and cloves
Prosciutto and Rocket Pizza with Mozzarella and Tomato Sauce
Baked pizza with mozzarella, prosciutto and fresh rocket
Choose dinner recipes by how you want the evening to run
If you need a low-fuss dinner, look for recipes with a short ingredient list and a straightforward method, ideally with one main cooking vessel. If you have time but want less hands-on work, oven-based dinners can be practical because they free you up while they cook. For a balanced plate, pair a rich or starchy main with something green or sharp: a salad, steamed greens, roasted vegetables, or a quick pickle can provide contrast. If you are feeding a household, recipes that allow small adjustments at the table are often easier than cooking separate meals. Think build-your-own bowls, serve-yourself toppings, or sides that can be added or left off.
Where to look next
Course is a helpful companion to dinner time when you want to add a side dish, starter or dessert without guessing what will fit. Cooking time is the simplest way to separate quick dinners from slower, simmered or oven-cooked options.
Risotto ai Frutti di Mare (Italian Seafood Risotto)
Creamy seafood risotto with prawns, mussels, squid and lemon
Gnocchi al Gorgonzola e Noci (Gnocchi with Gorgonzola and Walnuts)
Potato gnocchi in gorgonzola cream with toasted walnuts
Rheinischer Sauerbraten with Red Cabbage and Potato Dumplings
Marinated beef pot roast with red cabbage and potato dumplings
Zabaglione con Fragole (Marsala Custard with Strawberries)
Warm Marsala custard served over fresh strawberries
30–60 minutes
Agnello alla Scottadito with Roast Potatoes
Grilled lamb chops with rosemary roast potatoes
30–60 minutes
Enchiladas Rojas con Pollo (Red Chilli Chicken Enchiladas)
Red chilli chicken enchiladas topped with crema and queso fresco
Over 60 minutes
Frittelle di Carnevale (Venetian Carnival Fritters)
Yeasted Venetian fritters with raisins, fried and dusted with sugar
30–60 minutes
Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
Chicken drumsticks air-fried with garlic and paprika until juicy.
Frequently asked questions
Does dinner time always mean a hot meal?
No. Dinner can be hot or cold. What tends to matter more is that it feels complete, whether that is a composed salad with bread, a soup with toppings, or a cooked main with sides.
How do I make dinner feel balanced without cooking lots of dishes?
Choose one main recipe, then add a simple vegetable side or salad for contrast. A quick dressing, salsa or yoghurt sauce can also make a plate feel more rounded.
What’s the easiest dinner format for a group?
Dishes that scale and serve themselves are usually simplest: tray bakes, stews, pasta bakes, or bowl-style meals with toppings. They reduce the need to time individual portions.
How do I avoid everything needing attention at once?
Look for dinners with clear parallel steps: something that can roast or simmer while you prep a salad, cook grains, or make a sauce. Recipes that rest well also take pressure off timing.
Can a lighter dish still count as dinner?
Yes. A lighter dinner often relies on a satisfying base, such as beans, eggs, grains or bread, plus fresh elements and a punchy dressing or topping.
Think in components, not perfection
Choose a centrepiece you can execute confidently, then add one contrasting element, something fresh, crunchy or sharp. Dinner time is easier when the meal is built from a few reliable parts rather than a long list of separate dishes.
