21 Ina Garten Dinner Recipes That Will Impress Everyone at Your Table (2024)

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There’s nothing we love more than entertaining, and when we’re in need of a mouthwatering and showstopping dinner menu, we almost always find ourselves turning to chef and cookbook author Ina Garten for main course recipes. Why? They’re not only delicious and impressive to guests, but they also don’t require the culinary chops of a James Beard Award-winning chef to make.

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“What I’m always looking for is a remembered flavor,” Garten told The Kitchn in 2015 when asked for her best dinner party advice. And as it turns out, many if not all of Garten’s recipes have just that: familiar yet phenomenal flavor. For instance, Garten’s English rib roast may look complicated, but it’s actually an incredibly simple two-step process that leaves you with a juicy, perfectly seasoned piece of meat you can pair with a virtually endless list of side dishes.

So, let us save you all that time flipping through the Barefoot Contessa host’s many, many cookbooks or endlessly scrolling through her website for the perfect main course for your next dinner party. We did the work for you. Ahead, take a look at our favorite Garten recipes that are sure to impress your dinner guests.

  • Skillet-Roasted Chicken and Potatoes

    21 Ina Garten Dinner Recipes That Will Impress Everyone at Your Table (3)

    Buttermilk-brined chicken is the star of this recipe. It remains juicy and tender even after cooking up in a skillet alongside some potatoes. This is a one-pan meal you can happily serve to company.

    Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.

  • Roasted Vegetable Lasagna

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    Vegetarian entrees don’t have to be boring, as Garten’s roasted veggie lasagna proves. It’s made with eggplant and zucchini, and gets extra flavor thanks to the inclusion of garlic and herb goat cheese.

    Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.

  • Panko-Crusted Salmon

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    These salmon filets are first crisped up in a skillet, skin-side down. Then the pan gets transfered directly to the oven, where the parsley-lemon panko topping toasts to a delicious golden-brown as the salmon cooks to tenderness.

    Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.

  • Mustard-Roasted Fish

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    How do you liven up your weekly white fish meal? Serve it with a creamy sauce of mustard, crème fraîche, and briny capers.

    Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.

  • French Apple Tart

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    The layered slices of this French apple tart make it perfect for serving company, but the truth is, it’s not that much harder to make than an apple pie.

    Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.

  • Emily’s English Roasted Potatoes

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    Would you belive that this recipe comes from Ina Garten’s friend Emily Blunt? Her English roasted potatoes are perfectly crispy-crunchy outside, and tender within.

    Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.

  • Seared scallops & potato celery root purée

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    Carefully follow Garten’s steps to chef’s-kiss worthy scallops, and you’ll leave your guests truly impressed.

    Get the recipe at Barefoot Contessa.

  • Slow roasted spiced pork

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    Onions, jalapeños, cumin, chipotle Chile powder, and more make this tender, slow-roasted pork downright irresistible.

    Get the recipe at Barefoot Contessa.

  • Herbed pork tenderloins with apple chutney

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    You can’t go wrong with pork, more pork, and homemade apple chutney.

    Get the recipe at Barefoot Contessa.

  • 1770 house meatloaf

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    Food blogger The Food Charlatan described this Garten dish best: “It’s tender, moist, and flavorful. The delectable garlic meatloaf sauce makes it extra fancy and tasty. Pure comfort food.”

    We second that.

    Get the recipe at Barefoot Contessa and The Food Charlatan.

  • Skillet roasted lemon chicken

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    Garten sure as hell knows how to make a roast chicken, and this roasted lemon chicken recipe proves it.

    Get the recipe from The Hungry Hutch.

  • Cioppino

    21 Ina Garten Dinner Recipes That Will Impress Everyone at Your Table (15)

    Cioppino is an Italian-American fish stew dish that originated in San Francisco with of cod, shrimp, mussels, and scallops.

    Get the recipe at Food Network.

  • Brisket with onions & leeks

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    Purchase six pounds of brisket, sprinkle with salt, wrap it up, refrigerate it overnight; then, roast it for about three-and-a-half hours atop a mixture of onions and leeks.

    Get the recipe at Barefoot Contessa.

  • Beef bourguignon

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    This beef stew is not only easy to make, but it’s also a great comfort food dish to make on chilly nights.

    Get the recipe at The View From Great Island.

  • Pastit*io

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    Pastit*io is a basically Greek lasagna with layers of meat, tomato sauce, pasta, and a creamy bechamel.

    Get the recipe from Vodka & Biscuits.

  • Chicken thighs with creamy mustard sauce

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    Picture it: juicy chicken thighs with crispy skin, swimming in a creamy, wine-and-Dijon mustard sauce. Now, make it.

    Get the recipe at Barefoot Contessa.

  • Lemon chicken

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    Garten’s juicy, lemon-infused chicken dish may be a beginner recipe, but it looks and tastes so great, your dinner party guests wouldn’t dare leave you with leftovers.

    Get the recipe from The PKP Way.

  • Coq au vin

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    Coq au vin — chicken braised with wine, lardons, and mushrooms — may be one of the most famous French dishes, but it’s surprisingly not the most difficult dishes to tackle, especially if you carefully follow Garten’s instructions.

    Get the recipe at Feed Feed.

  • Filet mignon with mustard & mushrooms

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    Advanced home chefs, this flavorful, decadent filet mignon with mustard and mushroom recipe will test your culinary skills.

    Get the recipe at Barefoot Contessa.

  • Moroccan lamb tagine

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    Don’t own a tagine? This Moroccan lamb tagine recipe alone is worth the purchase.

    Get the recipe at Barefoot Contessa.

  • English rib roast

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    For a meal that looks impressive but takes virtually zero work, Garten’s standing rib roast requires just a thick layer of salt and pepper and a couple of hours in the oven.

    Get the recipe at Taste and See.

  • Truffled Mac & Cheese

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    Mac & Cheese for dinner, for company, might sound crazy. But when Garten adds luxe ingredients like white truffle butter, cremini mushrooms, sherry, and more, it all starts to make sense.

    Get the recipe at Barefoot Contessa.

  • Lobster Pot Pie

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    Summer comfort food, anyone? That’s the name of the game in Ina Garten’s rich lobster pot pie recipe.

    Get the recipe at Barefoot Contessa.

  • Baked Rigatoni With Lamb Ragù

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    If you have guests who are on the pickier side, try this riff on baked ziti. It’s made with a rich lamb ragout (if they’re super picky, swap that for pork or beef), and has all of the classic Italian-America flavors so many of us crave.

    Get the recipe at Barefoot Contessa.

  • Baked Cod with Garlic & Herb Ritz Crumbs

    21 Ina Garten Dinner Recipes That Will Impress Everyone at Your Table (28)

    You never know what your guests do and don’t like, so if you want to serve seafood, opting for a mild, flaky white fish like cod is the move. Pair with Garten’s buttery Ritz and panko crumb topping, and dinner is likely to get devoured.

    Get the recipe at Barefoot Contessa.

  • Heirloom Tomato and Blue Cheese Salad

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    Sometimes the perfect accompaniment to a rich dinner party meal is a striking salad. Garten’s relies on ripe heirloom tomatoes, so it’s best to keep this recipe on rotation in the summer months.

    Get the recipe at Barefoot Contessa.

  • Saffron Risotto with Butternut Squash

    21 Ina Garten Dinner Recipes That Will Impress Everyone at Your Table (30)

    What are two things that will never fail to impress a dinner guest? Saffron and risotto. Pair them in this savory-sweet dish that’s made with butternut squash and plenty of Parm.

    Get the recipe at Barefoot Contessa.

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21 Ina Garten Dinner Recipes That Will Impress Everyone at Your Table (2024)

FAQs

What does Ina Garten eat every day? ›

Not just any old oatmeal will do when it comes to the Barefoot Contessa. "I've had the same thing for breakfast every single day for ten years: coffee and McCann's quick-cooking Irish oatmeal," Garten told Bon Appétit in a 2017 article. And her love of the stuff is well-documented.

How can I impress my dinner guests? ›

For general presentation:
  1. Try to avoid food that is all the same colour, lift a lemon tart with a sprinkling of raspberries or a sprig of redcurrants.
  2. Go for unusual serving dishes, like these cute little jars for serving paté or potted crab.
  3. Serve the main focus of each course in individual portions.

Are Ina Garten's recipes good? ›

The Barefoot Contessa's simple, meticulously tested recipes have helped drag me out of every cooking rut I've ever found myself in. Happily for all of us, Garten has shared a number of her recipes (and cooking tips) with Food & Wine.

What is the simplest dish in the world to cook according to Ina Garten? ›

The Simplest Dish In The World To Make, According To Ina Garten. After testing recipes for various projects all day, Ina Garten prefers to make something simple, quick, and ready straight out of the oven. Her favored dish is roast chicken. To make a roast chicken, preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

What fast food will Ina Garten eat? ›

Garten visits In-N-Out Burger whenever she's in California

The veteran cookbook writer avoids fast food (though she enjoys Shake Shack's fried chicken sandwiches on occasion). However, when on the West Coast, often on a book tour, stopping at In-N-Out for a cheeseburger is a tradition.

What to cook for 20 guests? ›

19 Ideas For Easy Meals For Large Groups
  • Taco Bar.
  • Meatballs.
  • Butter Chicken.
  • Lasagna.
  • Chili.
  • Homemade Pizza.
  • Baked Pasta.
  • Skewers.
Apr 4, 2023

What to cook for a large group? ›

  • Hearty Baked Penne Pasta. This recipe feeds an army. ...
  • Tasty Taco Bar. Everything you need to make your own Taco Bar at home. ...
  • Baked Potato Bar. ...
  • Crockpot Ham. ...
  • Killer Carnitas. ...
  • Chicken Spaghetti. ...
  • Ham and Cheese Sliders. ...
  • Shredded Beef Tacos.
7 days ago

What is Ina Garten most famous for? ›

She is host of the Food Network program Barefoot Contessa, and was a former staff member of the Office of Management and Budget. Among her dishes are Perfect Roast Chicken, Weeknight Bolognese, French Apple Tart, and a simplified version of beef bourguignon.

What recipes are in make It Ahead by Ina Garten? ›

Make It Ahead
RecipeTypePage
Make-Ahead Zabaglione with AmarettiDessert225
Make-Ahead Salt & Pepper BiscuitsBreakfast255
Make-Ahead Goat Cheese Mashed PotatoesSides157
Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy with Onions and SageDinner103
2 more rows

What is the hardest chef dish to make? ›

1. Consommé Devilish dish: A clear soup made from meat, tomato, egg whites and stock, slowly simmered to bring impurities to the surface for skimming. Techn-eeek: Even some of the most experienced chefs cannot master the complex clarification process required to make consommé.

How to make a romantic dinner at home? ›

You could dim the lights, put on your favorite songs, and add a few candles of varying heights to create the perfect romantic atmosphere. To make sure you're giving your loved one all the attention they deserve, consider removing any distractions — such as cell phones and tablets — by placing them in another room.

How do I make dinner less awkward? ›

Let's explore some of the best ideas.
  1. Keep it casual. Lacheev/Getty Images. ...
  2. Choose a quiet place. Thomas Northcut/Getty Images. ...
  3. Address the awkward silence. SynthEx/Shutterstock. ...
  4. Order the same food. Olexandr Chornyi/Shutterstock. ...
  5. Sit next to each other. ...
  6. Know your wines. ...
  7. Get tactile. ...
  8. Eat date-friendly foods.
Nov 25, 2022

What makes up a good dinner? ›

What makes a good dinner
  • Make half your meal vegetables or salad. Include a mix of types and colours over the week as different coloured vegetables have different nutrients. ...
  • Eat some wholemeal breads, pasta, rice or potatoes. ...
  • Include a small amount of poultry like chicken or turkey, fish, eggs, nuts, beans or meat.

What does Ina Garten eat every day for breakfast? ›

Ina Garten's go-to for her daily starter is McCann's Quick Cooking Rolled Irish Oats. The oats are steamed, rolled, and then cut thin and flat, which allows for their quick cooking time — the brand suggests that three minutes in the microwave is all that's needed.

What does Ina Garten eat? ›

Ina Garten's 14 Favorite Go-To Foods
  • Omelet and champagne. Romualdo Crissi/Getty Images. ...
  • PB&J with lightly toasted bread. ...
  • In-N-Out Burger. ...
  • Pasta vecchia bettola. ...
  • Lemon capellini with caviar. ...
  • Creamy Parmesan polenta. ...
  • Italian wedding soup. ...
  • Three courses (rack of lamb, orzo with roasted vegetables, and French apple tart)
Mar 22, 2023

What is in Ina Garten's pantry? ›

After taking a closer look, here's what you need to know about her home pantry. First, think of any nut variety, and Garten probably has it on hand. We see almonds, pecans, walnuts and more sitting on her shelves from the brand Citarella. These sit alongside a classic jar of Skippy creamy peanut butter, of course.

What is the best number of meals per day? ›

So how often should you be eating? The Theory: Nutrition experts tend to recommend eating 3 balanced meals (350 to 600 calories each) and 1 to 3 snacks per day (between 150 and 200 calories each).

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