3,986 main dish recipes

Fried country ham with red-eye gravy: the classic Southern breakfast of thick-sliced salt-cured ham fried in its own fat, deglazed with hot coffee. Two ingredients, pure tradition.

Fast pita pizza topped with tomato sauce, mushrooms, peppers, and alfalfa sprouts. A 10-minute vegetarian single-serving pizza using pita bread as an instant crust.

Filibuster sandwiches stacked with salami, bologna, Swiss, coleslaw, pickles, and horseradish on onion rolls. A deli-style piled-high sandwich with zippy horseradish and crunchy slaw.

Chili-rubbed sirloin steak: a quick four-ingredient weeknight dinner ready in 15 minutes. Garlic and chili powder pressed into the meat form a bold dry crust under high heat, sliced and served with cool salsa.

Roast rack of lamb under a crisp mustard-and-herb breadcrumb crust of parsley, rosemary and garlic. An elegant medium-rare centerpiece that looks impressive but comes together simply.

Crispy deep-fried beef fritters that turn leftover roast beef into golden, crunchy bites. Chunks dipped in egg batter, dredged in seasoned flour, and fried hot. A smart way to use up the Sunday roast.

Basic rack of lamb: a French-trimmed rack marinated, then roasted hot to a rosy medium-rare and carved into elegant double-bone chops. The foundation technique for an impressive special-occasion main.

An old-fashioned Mexican beef chili: diced beef braised with garlic, cumin and oregano in a smooth purée of dried chiles, served with a border of fried refried beans. Real chiles, real depth.

Shrimp scampi broiled in a bright white wine, lemon, and herb sauce with shallots, basil, and oregano. A light, fast seafood dinner that is ready in about 20 minutes.

Oven-barbecued beef short ribs, marinated in soy and cider vinegar, braised fork-tender, then basted with barbecue sauce and roasted until sticky and well browned. Fall-off-the-bone ribs, no grill required.

Chipotle grilled trout rubbed with a smoky paste of chipotle peppers, walnuts, and parsley, then grilled fast. The walnuts thicken the rub into a pesto-like crust. Great with hush puppies and salsa.

A cloud-light shrimp souffle with dry mustard, tarragon, lemon zest, and Parmesan rising tall and golden from its dish. Impressive to serve and easier to make than you'd think.

High-heat roast chicken stuffed with lemon and garlic, cooked at 500F for crackling skin and juicy meat. A dead-simple pan sauce finishes the deal. Just 5 ingredients.

Balsamic-glazed salmon with Dijon mustard, pan-seared and coated in a tangy reduced vinegar glaze. A 4-ingredient, 30-minute dinner that's elegant enough for company.

Baked mac and cheese loaded with smoky leftover ham and pan-fried onions, topped with melty mozzarella and golden breadcrumbs. The tastiest way to put that holiday spiral ham to work.

Artichoke, tomato, and three-cheese pizza with creamy ricotta, melty mozzarella, and sharp Asiago over Roma tomatoes and marinated artichoke hearts. The Italian-style white pizza with bright flavor.