Home » Trending » 15 Dishes That Aren’t Your Average Dinner Fare

15 Dishes That Aren’t Your Average Dinner Fare

Ever felt like dinner’s becoming a bit of a snoozefest? Well, you’re not alone. It’s easy to fall into a routine of cooking the same few meals over and over again. But guess what? This list has unique dishes ready to shake things up at your dinner table. Think about it like adding a pinch of excitement to what might otherwise be a predictable meal.

Wheat Berry Salad with Tomato & Tuna in a bowl.
Wheat Berry Salad with Tuna & Tomatoes. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Mediterranean Cod

Mediterranean cod on a rectangular platter.
Mediterranean Cod. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Here’s an idea: a piece of cod, perfectly cooked until flaky and tender. Mediterranean Cod is a one-way ticket to the sunny Mediterranean without leaving your dinner table. It’s light, it’s flavorful, and not what you’d call an ordinary Tuesday night dinner.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Cod

Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

A plate of chicken thighs.
Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

These are not your everyday chicken dish. Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs get crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside without the need for a deep fryer. The honey garlic sauce? It’s sweet, it’s sticky, it’s everything you want in a sauce, making this dish a hit for anyone who claims they’re tired of chicken.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

Steak & Pasta Salad

Overheat shot of steakhouse pasta salad.
Steak & Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Mixing steak in a salad isn’t your run-of-the-mill dinner fare. Steak & Pasta Salad has perfectly cooked slices of steak, tossed with al dente pasta and whatever fresh veggies you love, all brought together with a dressing. It’s a meal that’s as satisfying as it is unexpected, blending between hearty and refreshing.
Get the Recipe: Steak & Pasta Salad

Smoked Chicken Legs with Red Pepper Glaze

A plate of glazed chicken legs.
Smoked Chicken Legs with Red Pepper Glaze. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Take the humble chicken leg and turn it into something you’ll want to write home about. The smoking process packs Smoked Chicken Legs with Red Pepper Glaze with a depth of flavor you can’t get from just grilling. The red pepper glaze adds a sweet and spicy kick that upgrades the whole dish.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Chicken Legs with Red Pepper Glaze

Ham & Asparagus Pizza

A pizza with ham and asparagus on a pizza stone.
Ham & Asparagus Pizza. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Throwing ham onto a pizza is like giving your pizza night a glam makeover. Ham & Asparagus Pizza is salty from the ham, and slightly earthy from the asparagus. When these toppings hit that hot, crispy crust, it’s a game changer, making it a pizza that stands out in the sea of pepperonis and cheese.
Get the Recipe: Ham & Asparagus Pizza

Slow Cooker Swiss Pork Chops

Slow Cooker Swiss Pork Chops on a baby blue serving dish.
Slow Cooker Swiss Pork Chops. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Slowly simmered in a creamy, dreamy sauce turns the often-overlooked pork chop into a tender, falling-off-the-bone piece. Slow Cooker Swiss Pork Chops are as easy to make as it is delicious. This shows that with the right recipe, the slow cooker can be your best friend.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Swiss Pork Chops

Chicken Paprikash

Chicken Paprikash on a platter with gravy.
Chicken Paprikash. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Offer a taste of Hungary with Chicken Paprikash’s rich sauce that’s coating tender chicken pieces. It is traditionally served with dumplings or noodles to soak up all that saucy goodness. It’s comfort food with a twist, promising a cozy, flavorful meal that goes beyond your standard dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Paprikash

Dutch Oven Carnitas

Carnitas in a round black dish.
Dutch Oven Carnitas. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Are you all about that low and slow cooking? Dutch Oven Carnitas is the one for you. It results in pork that’s so tender and flavorful, it practically melts in your mouth. When it gets that ultimate crispy finish from a quick broil, it’s like each bite is a perfect mix of textures and tastes that taco dreams are made of.
Get the Recipe: Dutch Oven Carnitas

Shrimp and Grits Casserole

A casserole dish with chicken and vegetables in it.
Shrimp and Grits Casserole. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Taking the Southern classic to new heights, this Shrimp and Grits Casserole layers creamy, cheesy grits with spicy shrimp and is baked until bubbling and golden. It’s a dish that combines simplicity with big flavors. It is a hearty and comforting meal that’s a little bit luxurious too.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp and Grits Casserole

Pork Belly Burnt Ends

A plate of smoked pork belly burnt ends with tomatoes and pickles.
Pork Belly Burnt Ends. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Like the candy of the barbecue world, Pork Belly Burnt Ends has pieces of pork belly smoked until they’re rich and caramelized. These offer a bite that’s an amazing storm of smoky, sweet, and savory. They are a standout dish that tends to disappear quickly whenever they’re served.
Get the Recipe: Pork Belly Burnt Ends

Wheat Berry Salad with Tuna & Tomatoes

Wheat Berry Salad with Tomato & Tuna in a bowl.
Wheat Berry Salad with Tuna & Tomatoes. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Looking for a hearty, refreshing dish that’s full of textures? Wheat Berry Salad with Tuna & Tomatoes has chewy wheat berries, flaky tuna, and juicy tomatoes, all tossed in a light dressing. it’s a meal that feels wholesome and filling, proving that salads can be just as satisfying as any hot dish.
Get the Recipe: Wheat Berry Salad with Tuna & Tomatoes

Turkey Pot Pie Soup

Two bowls of Turkey Pot Pie Soup with crackers and spoons.
Turkey Pot Pie Soup. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Grab all the comforting flavors of the classic pot pie and serve them up in soup form. Turkey Pot Pie Soup is complete with tender turkey and veggies in a creamy broth. It’s like a hug in a bowl, ideal for those evenings when you need a little extra warmth on a cold or gloomy day.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Pot Pie Soup

Baked Spanish Rice

Baked Spanish Rice in two black baking dishes.
Baked Spanish Rice. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Rice, but make it party-worthy by baking it with bold spices and veggies. This turns Baked Spanish Rice into a colorful, flavorful side that could easily steal the show as the main dish. It proves that sometimes, it’s the sides that deserve all the attention. Prepare to be amazed!
Get the Recipe: Baked Spanish Rice

Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells

Giant Cheese Stuffed Pasta Shells in two black serving dishes.
Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Think of the cheesiest, most comforting pasta dish, and then imagine it supersized. That’s Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells for you, filled to the brim with creamy cheese and topped with a homemade sauce. It’s a dinner that’s as fun to eat as it is to make, best for when you’re in the mood for something a little decadent.
Get the Recipe: Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells

Smoked Tomato Soup with Mascarpone

Two bowls of soup on the counter.
Smoked Tomato Soup with Mascarpone. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Not your average tomato soup, this version gets a smoky makeover. Smoked Tomato Soup with Mascarpone is blended into velvety smoothness and finished with a dollop of creamy mascarpone. It turns the humble tomato soup into a dish that’s rich, nuanced, and downright filling.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Tomato Soup with Mascarpone

By

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.