These 27 Dishes Make You Look Like a Cooking Pro

The right dishes can make it seem like you’ve been cooking for years—even if you haven’t. These are the kind that come together with simple steps but look like you know exactly what you’re doing. It’s the kind of food that gets people asking for the recipe before they finish their first bite. If you're trying to impress without breaking a sweat, you’re in the right place.

An overhead image of salt and pepper tofu in a bowl with rice.

Salt and Pepper Tofu. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Easy One Pot Cabbage Soup

An overhead image of two cabbage soups in a white serving bowl. — Easy One Pot Cabbage Soup. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This one-pot vegan cabbage soup comes together quickly and fills the kitchen with flavor. It’s a smart choice for looking like a cooking pro without spending hours.
Get the Recipe: Easy One Pot Cabbage Soup

Baked Cauliflower with Cheese

Crispy baked cauliflower cheese with creamy Mornay sauce takes about an hour to make. It’s a great way to impress with a cheesy dish that’s not your usual mac and cheese.
Get the Recipe: Baked Cauliflower with Cheese

Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese

An overhead image of two bowls of mac and cheese with a fork beside each. — Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Slow cooker mac and cheese is hands-off and delivers creamy, cheesy comfort. It’s an easy way to appear like a cooking pro with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese

Nigerian Fried Rice

Nigerian fried rice cooks up in 15 minutes with colorful veggies and bold flavors. It’s perfect for a quick meal that looks like you spent more time in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Nigerian Fried Rice

Pizza Sliders

An image of a hand picking up one pizza slider from the baking pan. — Pizza Sliders. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Quick pizza sliders are cheesy, saucy, and packed with veggies. They’re a no-fail choice when you want to serve something fun and simple that looks impressive.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Sliders

One Pot Lemon Ricotta Pasta

Lemon ricotta pasta comes together in 15 minutes with just one pot. It’s a reliable way to show off easy cooking skills for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: One Pot Lemon Ricotta Pasta

Slow Cooker Tofu Tikka Masala

An overhead image of slow cooker tikka masala in a bowl with rice, with a slow cooker on the background. — Slow Cooker Tofu Tikka Masala. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Slow cooker tikka masala is full of rich spices and creamy texture. It’s a fuss-free dinner that helps you look like you know your way around the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Tofu Tikka Masala

Salt and Pepper Tofu

Salt and pepper tofu gets crispy and spicy in just 20 minutes. It’s a quick, high-protein dish that makes a strong impression with bold flavor.
Get the Recipe: Salt and Pepper Tofu

Penne Pomodoro

Penne Pomodoro is an authentic and easy pasta ready in under 30 minutes. This budget-friendly meal is a solid pick for looking like a cooking pro on busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Penne Pomodoro

Authentic Bucatini Cacio e Pepe

Close up of cacio e pepe in white bowl with fork and spoon. — Authentic Bucatini Cacio e Pepe. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Three-ingredient bucatini cacio e pepe is straightforward and authentic. It’s a foolproof way to impress without complicated steps.
Get the Recipe: Authentic Bucatini Cacio e Pepe

Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Roasted cabbage steaks are ready in 35 minutes and make a healthy side dish. They’re a simple recipe that looks polished and smart on any plate.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Ethiopian Cabbage

Ethiopian cabbage stew is a one-pot dish packed with warm spices and veggies. It’s an efficient recipe that stands out and makes you look like you know what you’re doing.
Get the Recipe: Ethiopian Cabbage

Pesto Tortellini Salad

A close up view of cooked tortellini pasta salad in a white bowl. — Pesto Tortellini Salad. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Quick tortellini pasta salad comes together in 20 minutes with less than 10 ingredients. It’s a fresh, fast side that shows off your easy meal skills.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Tortellini Salad

Baked Gouda Mac and Cheese

An overhead image of a cooked gouda mac and cheese in a baking pan. — Baked Gouda Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Baked gouda mac and cheese has a creamy texture and takes 45 minutes to make. It’s a comforting dish that helps you look like a cooking pro with minimal fuss.
Get the Recipe: Baked Gouda Mac and Cheese

Cottage Cheese Alfredo

Cottage cheese Alfredo sauce is silky, rich, and ready in 15 minutes. This lighter sauce is a quick way to add flair to classic pasta dishes.
Get the Recipe: Cottage Cheese Alfredo

Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili

Slow cooker vegetarian chili is hearty with bold flavors and simple prep. It’s a set-it-and-forget-it recipe that delivers a cooked-from-scratch feel.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili

Pasta e Piselli

Pasta e piselli is a classic Italian dish with peas and Pecorino cheese. It’s quick to make and perfect for showing off solid weeknight cooking skills.
Get the Recipe: Pasta e Piselli

Tofu Lettuce Wraps

Tofu lettuce wraps come together fast with crunchy veggies and protein. They’re a smart, fresh choice for a meal that looks like you put in work.
Get the Recipe: Tofu Lettuce Wraps

Grilled Asparagus

Grilled asparagus needs just five ingredients and 25 minutes to make. It’s a simple side that looks great and gets you ready for any summer cookout.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Asparagus

3 Ingredient Broccoli Cheese Casserole

An image of broccoli cheese casserole served on a table with a spoon on the right side. — 3 Ingredient Broccoli Cheese Casserole. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Broccoli cheese casserole has just three ingredients and takes 30 minutes. It’s a straightforward, nutritious dish that helps you look like a cooking pro.
Get the Recipe: 3 Ingredient Broccoli Cheese Casserole

Mushroom Stroganoff

Mushroom stroganoff is creamy, savory, and ready in half an hour. It’s a quick meal that brings comfort without extra effort or complicated steps.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Stroganoff

Cheesy Chicken Stuffed Eggplant

Stuffed eggplant with chicken and cheddar is ready in 30 minutes. It’s a practical dinner that looks thoughtful but is easy to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Chicken Stuffed Eggplant

Sriracha Honey Garlic Pork Chops

Slow cooker sriracha honey garlic pork chops are sticky, sweet, and hands-off. They’re a simple meal that shows you can make bold flavors with ease.
Get the Recipe: Sriracha Honey Garlic Pork Chops

Cheesy Ground Beef Taco Skillet

Ground beef taco skillet combines favorite taco flavors in one pan. Ready in 30 minutes, it’s a great way to serve a quick, impressive dinner.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Ground Beef Taco Skillet

Easy Air Fryer Chicken Breast and Potatoes

Air fryer chicken breast and potatoes make a crispy, easy dinner. Ready in under 30 minutes, this no-mess meal is perfect for busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Easy Air Fryer Chicken Breast and Potatoes

Easy Beef Stew

Beef stew in yellow bowls. — Easy Beef Stew. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Easy beef stew is hearty and straightforward to make. It’s a reliable choice for cold nights when you want comfort without extra work.
Get the Recipe: Easy Beef Stew

Ninja Foodi Spaghetti

Ninja Foodi spaghetti is a one-pot meal with minimal prep and cleanup. It’s a practical choice that helps you look like a cooking pro when time is tight.
Get the Recipe: Ninja Foodi Spaghetti