57 Classic Dinners Every Newlywed Couple Should Know

Roasted Chicken with Rosemary

Herbs, garlic and butter give this hearty meal in one a classic flavor. It’s a lot like pot roast, except it uses chicken instead of beef. —Isabel Zienkosky, Salt Lake City, Utah

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Mom’s Meat Loaf

This traditional meat loaf recipe creates a tender, juicy meat loaf topped with a caramelized glaze. The best part: It’s so easy to make, and it’s ready to eat in about an hour!

Slow Cooker Pot Roast

What if you could get the perfect pot roast with half the work, but double the flavor? Good news: You can. Here's how, with the help of our best slow-cooker pot roast recipe.

Sausage Lasagna

The idea for this sausage lasagna recipe comes from my mother-in-law, who always makes it for my three boys on special holidays. I've put an easy twist on Carole's classic dish, and it's become one of my go-to dinners as well! —Blair Lonergan, Rochelle, VA

Special Occasion Beef Bourguignon

I've found many rich and satisfying variations for boeuf bourguignon, including an intriguing peasant version that used beef cheeks for the meat and a rustic table wine. To make this stew gluten free, use white rice flour instead of all-purpose. —Leo Cotnoir, Johnson City, New York

Dijon-Rubbed Pork with Rhubarb Sauce

This tender pork loin roast served with a rhubarb-orange sauce is simply delicious! Here's an excellent choice for company—it makes a memorable meal. —Marilyn Rodriguez, Sparks, Nevada

Mom's Roast Beef

Everyone loves slices of this fork-tender roast beef with its savory gravy. The well-seasoned roast is Mom's specialty. People always ask about the secret ingredients. Now you have the delicious recipe for our favorite meat dish! —Linda Gaido, New Brighton, Pennsylvania

How to Make the Best-Ever Fried Chicken

The best fried chicken recipe is super crunchy on the outside but oh-so juicy and tender on the inside. Surprisingly enough, we make it without buttermilk!

Stamp-of-Approval Spaghetti Sauce

My father is very opinionated, especially about food. This recipe received his almost unreachable stamp of approval. I have yet to hear a disagreement from anyone who has tried it! —Melissa Taylor, Higley, Arizona

Maple-Glazed Pork Tenderloin

My husband and I think this roasted pork tenderloin tastes like a fancy restaurant dish, but it couldn’t be simpler to make at home. The maple-mustard glaze makes it extra special. It's a modification of a recipe we first tasted at a friend's house. —Colleen Mercier, Salmon Arm, British Columbia.

Homemade Ravioli

Ravioli from scratch is a labor of love, but a delicious one. This guide will help you whip up pasta dough, sauce and a fantastic filling.

Chicken-Fried Steak

This chicken-fried steak and gravy combination is absolute comfort food. Cube steak gets a lightly seasoned coating, making this dish perfect for those nights when you want something filling but don't have a lot of time to prep dinner.  

Makeover Beef Stroganoff

I trimmed the calories, fat and sodium in a classic stroganoff, and my comfy, cozy version still tastes like a Russian masterpiece. —Candace Clark, Connell, Washington

Duck Breasts with Apricot Chutney

When serving this entree as part of a buffet, try using chafing dish to keep it warm. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Frogmore Stew

This picnic-style medley of shrimp, smoked kielbasa, corn and spuds is a specialty of South Carolina cuisine. It's commonly dubbed Frogmore stew or Beaufort stew in recognition of the two low country communities that lay claim to its origin. No matter what you call it, this one-pot wonder won't disappoint! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Epiphany Ham

I wanted to cook a ham but didn't have the ingredients for my usual glaze recipe, so I made substitutions. You can, too! Instead of black cherry, try another flavored soda, or use sweet-and-sour sauce in place of duck sauce. —Edith Griffith, Havre de Grace, Maryland

Winter Vegetable Shepherd’s Pie

Everyone eats for comfort during the holidays, but comfort foods aren't necessarily healthy. To make a classic comfort food dish healthier, I came up with this lovely take: butternut squash shepherd's pie with ground turkey. It's perfect for putting out on your holiday buffet table. —Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts

Slow Cooker Cassoulet with Crumb Topping

Classically inspired, this dish is loaded with chicken thighs, pork and smoked sausage. Tomatoes, beans and wine round out the hearty French stew, and bread crumbs thicken it slightly. —Marie Rizzio, Interlochen, Michigan

Greek-Style Lemon-Garlic Chicken

I love celebrating my Greek heritage with this super simple and scrumptious Sunday dinner idea. Prep time is a breeze and the ingredient list is relatively short for such a flavorful one-dish meal. Each time I make this I'm transported back to my ya-ya, who gave me the special honor of squeezing the lemons! —Lisa Renshaw, Kansas City, Missouri

Beef Tenderloin with Sauteed Vegetables

This is the most elegant, tender beef. It’s made the classic French way—so easy! —cleo gonske, redding, California

Easy Chicken Paprikash

When my husband studied Hungarian in the Army, I made him the chicken and onions dish known as paprikash. We serve ours over rice or buttered noodles. —Susan Wildman, Haslett, Michigan

Beef Brisket Marinara

Marinara sauce and tender meat are real comfort food. Serve this brisket with mashed potatoes, rice or pasta. —Donna Marie Ryan, Topsfield, Massachusetts

Chicken Piccata Pockets

My husband loves chicken piccata. I tried it in a puff pastry pocket with a bit of cream cheese; it tasted sensational. When he took leftovers to work, everyone asked what smelled so great. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois

Sirloin Roast with Gravy

This recipe is perfect for my husband, who is a meat-and-potatoes kind of guy. The peppery, fork-tender roast combined with the rich gravy creates a tasty centerpiece for any meal. —Rita Clark, Monument, Colorado

Potluck Fried Chicken

This Sunday dinner staple is first fried and then baked to a crispy golden brown. Well seasoned with oregano and sage, this classic is sure to satisfy diners at church potlucks or late-summer picnics. I love fixing it for family and friends. —Donna Kuhaupt, Slinger, Wisconsin

Carne Adovada Sopes

I call this "dude food," as my husband and son would eat this weekly. The tender pork is great. —Johnna Johnson, Scottsdale, Arizona

Pastitsio

With seasoned ground beef, pasta and a rich cheese sauce, pastitsio is a tasty casserole everyone will love.

Almond-Crusted Chops with Cider Sauce

I use finely ground almonds to give pork chops a crunchy crust. The cider sauce makes them tangy, creamy and sweet. —Gloria Bradley, Naperville, Illinois

Slow-Cooker Round Steak

Quick-and-easy recipes like this are a real plus, especially around the holidays. Serve this slow-cooker round steak over mashed potatoes, rice or noodles. —Dona McPherson, Spring, Texas

Favorite Baked Spaghetti

This is my grandchildren's most-loved dish. It feels like a special dinner and is so cozy for cooler months. —Louise Miller, Westminster, Maryland

Breaded Sea Scallops

I never liked seafood until my husband urged me to try scallops, and now I love them. He says my breaded version is the best he's ever had. A tip I learned was to put them on a paper-towel-topped plate to soak up excess oil. —Martina Preston, Willow Grove, Pennsylvania

Grandma Schwartz's Rouladen

This was one of my Grandma Schwartz's recipes. Grandpa Schwartz was a German butcher and this was one of his (and our) favorite meals. It's an extra-special beef entree when served with mashed potatoes made with butter and sour cream. —Lynda Sharai, Summer Lake, Oregon

Chicken with Garlic-Caper Sauce

Treat your taste buds to this easy-to-make classic—bursting with Mediterranean goodness. It’s satisfying served with the versatile sauce. But it won’t weigh you down. —Marilee Anker, Chatsworth, California

Beef Tenderloin in Mushroom Sauce

When our kids are visiting Grandma, I make this recipe for just my husband and myself. It's a recipe my mother-in-law has been using for more than 30 years. I especially look forward to preparing it as part of a special Valentine's Day menu. —Denise McNab, Warminster, Pennsylvania

Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole

This chicken and wild rice casserole is the perfect dinner for when you need something easy, balanced and friendly for the whole family. Precooked chicken and rice make it even quicker.

Crock-Pot Chicken and Dumplings

Discover a virtually effortless way to make cozy Crock-Pot chicken and dumplings. This recipe brings hearty, home-cooked flavor to your table with minimal effort, perfect for busy weeknights.

Slow-Cooker Chuck Roast

Packed with tender beef and vegetables and served in a rich gravy, this slow-cooker chuck roast is a hearty, delicious dinner any night of the week.

Slow-Cooker Tuna Noodle Casserole

We tweaked this family-friendly classic to work for the slow cooker. It's easy, wholesome and totally homemade!—Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Easy Pork Posole

Looking for a meal in a bowl? Sit down to a Mexican classic full of cubed pork, sliced sausage, hominy and more. It all goes into the slow cooker, so you can come home at night to a table-ready dinner. —Greg Fontenot, The Woodlands, Texas

Blue Cheese-Crusted Sirloin Steaks

My wife adores this steak—and me when I fix it for her. She thinks it’s the ideal dish for Friday night after a long workweek. —Michael Rouse, Minot, North Dakota

Sausage Manicotti

This classic Italian entree comes together in a snap but tastes as if it took hours. It's so tasty and easy to fix. My family always enjoys it. —Carolyn Henderson, Maple Plain, Minnesota

Chicken Potpie

Learning how to make chicken potpie from scratch is 100% worth it. This chicken potpie recipe features a flaky, buttery crust packed with chicken, vegetables and a creamy sauce.

Corned Beef and Cabbage

Tender meat, hearty vegetables and a spicy horseradish sauce make this one of the best corned beef and cabbage recipes you'll ever make.

Stuffed Chicken Rolls

Just thinking about this dish sparks my appetite. The ham and cheese rolled inside are a tasty surprise. Leftovers reheat well and make a perfect lunch with a green salad. —Jean Sherwood, Kenneth City, Florida

Pan-Seared Salmon

Pan-seared salmon is an elegant, wholesome entree that requires little time or effort. Add a side salad or simple green, and dinner is served.

Farm-Style BBQ Ribs

Inspiration struck when I saw a recipe similar to this one in a newspaper. My version was an instant hit with my husband and our friends. It got even better when I discovered how easy it is to make in the slow cooker. —Bette Jo Welton, Eugene, OR

Creamy Braised Chicken

A smooth, delicate cream sauce gives a special taste to these tender chicken breasts accompanied by pearl onions and sauteed mushrooms. This dish is so rich-tasting, you'll want to serve it to company. —Margaret Haugh Heilman, Houston, Texas

Homemade Polish Pierogi

My mother measured ingredients for these using her hand. We've passed the recipe down over the years as the family has grown. —Veronica Weinkauf, South Bend, Indiana

Soy-Ginger Pot Roast

My husband really likes roast beef, and I really like my slow cooker. I brought in Asian influences for an all-day pot roast with some oomph. —Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas

Cold-Day Chicken Noodle Soup

When I was sick, my mom would make me this heartwarming chicken noodle soup. It was soothing when I had a cold, but this soup is a bowlful of comfort on any chilly day. —Anthony Graham, Ottawa, lllinois

Shrimp and Grits

Shrimp and grits is the kind of down-home comfort food that tastes great any time.

Slow-Cooker Chicken Bog

Get a taste of South Carolina cuisine when you make this slow-cooker version of chicken bog. This lowcountry dish can be easily expanded to make more servings if needed.

Standing Rib Roast

This standing rib roast recipe is practically foolproof. Treat your family to tender slices of standing rib roast or use the seasoning blend on a different beef roast for a hearty, delicious main dish. I love to prepare this recipe for special occasions. —Lucy Meyring, Walden, Colorado

Salisbury Steak with Onion Gravy

This hearty main dish is a favorite at our house. It really warms you up. —Kim Kidd, New Freedom, Pennsylvania

Cioppino

If you're looking for a great seafood recipe for your slow cooker, this classic fish stew is just the ticket. It's brimming with clams, crab, fish and shrimp, and it is fancy enough to be an elegant meal. —Lisa Moriarty, Wilton, New Hampshire