Welcome to Plan n Cook — plan meals, shop once, cook with less stress.
99 recipes tagged with main dish.
A hearty beef potpie made with beef stew topped with a pastry crust or biscuits, baked until bubbling and golden brown.
Oven-fried chicken with a crispy panko and Parmesan coating, marinated in buttermilk for tenderness. Baked until golden and juicy.
A classic chef's salad with crisp lettuce, chicken or turkey, ham, cheese, tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs, and olives, dressed with your choice of vinaigrette…
A classic roast chicken recipe with two methods: high-heat for crispy skin and low-heat for even cooking of larger birds. Seasoned simply with salt and…
4 servings Also known as involtini, this dish is a good, quicker alternative to Eggplant Parmigiana since it has similar appeal and does not involve…
4 to 6 servings Please read about Barbecuing. To avoid the rigmarole of removing the bird and cutting off the breast meat, you may cut the chicken into…
4 servings Try this recipe if the crust-to-meat ratio of plain fried chicken is simply not high enough. Please read About Frying Chicken and about…
6 servings Our absolute favorite cut to use here is the collar, or coppa roast.
Cornflake-crusted chicken tenders sweetened with maple syrup and fried until golden, served with whipped honey butter. A Southern-inspired favorite for…
4 to 6 servings Serve this flavorful dish with small boiled potatoes or Spätzle.
6 to 8 servings We prefer smoking pork with hickory wood chunks, but pecan and fruitwoods work well here, too. Please read about Barbecuing.
4 servings Unlike back ribs, which are mostly bone, short ribs offer a good amount of rich-tasting meat. We prefer English-style short ribs for this…
A quick and versatile fried rice made with cold cooked rice, eggs, and vegetables. Customize with your favorite add-ins for a satisfying meal.
4 servings This dish, contributed by friend and gifted chef Kusuma Rao, is the precursor to the Anglo-Indian favorite chicken tikka masala, also known as…
A hearty beef and mushroom pie with ale gravy, baked in a double crust. Tender stew meat and potatoes are simmered in beer and herbs, then encased in…
This Cuban-style pulled pork is slow-cooked with bell peppers, onions, and olives, then served over rice. The pork becomes tender and flavorful, with a…
4 to 6 servings When you do not have this formula close at hand, remember: Egg, Avocado, Tomato, Chicken, green Onion, Bacon, and Blue cheese spells “eat…
6 to 8 servings An amalgam of two classic Moroccan chicken stews, one with olives and one with preserved lemon. If you can’t find preserved lemon, we…
10 to 16 servings Wrapping a roast in foil: the everyman’s Wellington. If your company is informal, do not cut the foil until you are at the table and…
A classic baked macaroni and cheese with a creamy cheddar sauce and crispy panko topping. Perfect as a comforting main or side dish.
These crab cakes are made with fresh lump crabmeat, herbs, and panko, pan-fried until golden. They are onion-free, using parsley and dill for flavor.
4 to 6 servings This lesser-known, spicy cousin of General Tso’s chicken was concocted by Chinese restaurateurs in India. Though not typical, we sometimes…
8 to 10 servings In many parts of the country, “barbecue” means spice-rubbed pork shoulder, smoked over hickory until it has a rosy smoke ring…
10 to 16 servings For feeding a crowd, you can special order a whole “packer” brisket, which weighs 10 to 15 pounds and serves at least 12. Smoking whole…
A lighter version of the classic French baked sandwich, featuring fresh tomatoes, basil, and Gruyère cheese. Perfect for summer with a side salad or as an…
10 to 15 servings This technique delivers a beautifully browned, intensely flavorful bird. To cook to doneness at a higher heat, the bird should weigh 15…
5 or 6 servings Much less troublesome than brisket, quicker to prepare, and assuredly delicious. Do not balk at the amount of back ribs called for; their…
Lahmacun is a Turkish flatbread topped with spiced minced lamb and vegetables, baked until crisp and served with fresh herbs, lemon, and yogurt.
Fried ribs are a Seattle specialty, featuring tender pork ribs brined, coated in hot sauce, and dredged in seasoned flour before being deep-fried to…
Pillowy goat cheese dumplings simmered until tender, then broiled in spicy arrabbiata sauce and finished with Parmesan. A rich and satisfying vegetarian…
Thick-cut bone-in pork chops are stuffed with a savory collard green and smoked turkey dressing, then baked until tender. The dressing underneath soaks up…
A classic Indian vegetarian dish featuring creamy spinach curry with spiced fried paneer. Serve with naan or rice for a satisfying meal.
A classic Chinese braised pork belly dish with a rich, caramelized sauce. The pork is simmered until tender with soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and star anise…
A Japanese-inspired dumpling with a silky egg custard filling, bacon, and scallions, wrapped in homemade egg dough and steamed.
Turkey wings are seasoned with a blend of spices and lemon, then baked in broth until tender and falling off the bone. This flavorful dish pairs well with…
These falafel dippers are made with chickpeas, herbs, and spices, shaped into patties and coated with sesame seeds. Served with a creamy tahini yogurt…
Spicy roasted shrimp are served in crisp lettuce cups with fresh cucumbers, radishes, and herbs. A quick and flavorful meal with gochujang kick.
Turkey wings are seasoned, baked until tender, then coated in a spicy buffalo butter sauce. Serve with blue cheese dressing and celery sticks for a hearty…
This Spanish rice dish features chicken, chorizo, and a variety of seafood, flavored with saffron and piquillo peppers. It's cooked in a wok for…
These spicy tuna cakes are made with canned tuna, sweet potato, and jalapeño, baked in a muffin tin for easy portioning. Serve with lemon wedges for a…
A boneless pork top loin roast is stuffed with a savory mixture of caramelized onions, spinach, herbs, and feta cheese, then roasted until golden and…
A mash-up of pork belly pinch buns, pot stickers, and soup dumplings, featuring braised pork belly, pickled mustard greens, cilantro, and peanut powder in…
A tangy and spicy octopus salad with celery, carrot, red onion, and jalapeño in a creamy sauce. Perfect as a main dish or served with tortilla chips…
Beef hot dogs wrapped in puff pastry with caramelized onions, extra-sharp cheddar cheese, and honey mustard. A decadent, savory treat that sells out on…
Classic Japanese pan-fried pork-and-cabbage dumplings with a crispy bottom and juicy filling. Serve with gyoza sauce and garnishes like grated carrot or…
Spiced lamb meatballs with harissa are served with a cool cucumber-mint tzatziki and warm pitas. Perfect for summer gatherings, they can be enjoyed as a…
This slow cooker beef brisket is seasoned with a smoky-sweet rub and cooked low and slow for 12 hours, then broiled to develop a dark bark. It's a…
These homemade pot stickers feature a gingery pork filling wrapped in a tender dough, pan-fried to golden crisp on the bottom and steamed on top. Served…
Crispy octopus patties inspired by a traditional Alaskan recipe. Tender and bouncy like crab cakes, fried until golden and served with dipping sauce and…
A medley of roasted vegetables served with a spicy olive and anchovy tapenade, crumbled feta, and toasted pine nuts. Perfect as a main dish with crusty…
Savory stir-fried chicken with hoisin sauce, served in lettuce cups with sticky rice and a tangy-sweet peanut dipping sauce.
Crispy shrimp with shells on are deep-fried and then stir-fried with Szechuan peppercorns, five-spice powder, garlic, and chiles. The result is a fragrant…
Classic Italian meatballs made with a blend of ground beef, veal, and pork, seasoned with Romano cheese and garlic. They are pan-fried until golden brown…
A classic dumpling filling of ground beef and fresh Chinese mustard greens, wrapped in homemade dough and served with soy-ginger dipping sauce.
Paneer fingers are pan-fried until golden, then simmered in a fragrant sauce made with dates, date molasses, and warm spices. Toasted almonds add crunch…
Baked mussels with tomato, Parmesan, and basil make a flavorful appetizer or main dish. The mussels are cooked in white wine, then stuffed with a…
Crispy baked chicken tenders coated in crushed cornflakes, seasoned with herbs. Served with ranch dressing for dipping.
A hearty winter salad with mixed greens, warm bacon vinaigrette, and homemade croutons. Perfect as a side or main dish.
A hearty winter salad with mixed greens, warm bacon vinaigrette, and homemade croutons. Perfect as a side or main dish.
A spatchcocked turkey is brined for 24 hours, then smoked until perfectly cooked. This method ensures even cooking and a flavorful, moist bird.
Crispy risotto cakes topped with roasted tomatoes and fresh mozzarella, served with a green salad. A vegetarian twist on caprese flavors.
Tender aubergine wedges are cooked in a savory black pepper and soy sauce, then tossed with fresh vegetables for a quick and flavorful dish.
A hearty lasagna combining thinly sliced beef chuck, sautéed peppers and onions, and a creamy cheese sauce with multiple cheeses. Layers of pasta…
A whole turkey is seasoned with a compound butter and smoked low and slow until juicy and tender. This recipe uses an electric pellet smoker or charcoal…
A whole chicken is butterflied and brined in buttermilk, then roasted with a herb and spice rub. The buttermilk tenderizes the meat and adds flavor, while…
Flaky fried pies filled with seasoned ground beef and spicy pork sausage, served with a zesty Creole chimichurri dipping sauce. Perfect for a hearty…
Crispy crab cakes packed with crabmeat, bell pepper, and Creole seasoning, pan-fried to golden perfection and served with a homemade sweet chili sauce.
Crispy fried salmon bites coated in a seasoned flour and cornmeal mixture. Yellow mustard adds flavor and helps the coating stick. Serve with tartar or…
Crispy yucca patties stuffed with your choice of filling, served with Peruvian green sauce. Accompanied by jerk chicken wings with passionfruit chile…
A hearty chicken and rice pilaf dish with a creamy white wine sauce, perfect for sharing with friends. This family recipe features tender chicken pieces…
Marinated paneer chunks threaded onto skewers with peppers and onion, grilled until golden and charred. A flavorful vegetarian option perfect for wraps or…
Juicy pork chops with a golden crust, served with applesauce or mint jelly. For a tropical twist, marinate and bake with a sweet soy-ginger glaze and top…
These oven-baked BBQ ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender with a smoky, sweet, and spicy rub. Perfect for any cookout, rain or shine.
Crispy air-fried chicken wings tossed with blistered shishito peppers in a savory-sweet garlic-chile sauce. A quick and flavorful dish perfect for a…
Crispy air-fried chicken wings tossed in your favorite sauce. Ready in under an hour.
Crispy baked chicken taquitos filled with a creamy mixture of shredded chicken, cheese, and enchilada sauce. Serve with pico de gallo, sour cream, and…
Thick cauliflower slices are roasted until tender and served with a fresh chimichurri sauce made from cilantro, parsley, red wine vinegar, garlic, and…
These baby back ribs are oven-roasted low and slow until tender, then glazed with a sweet, spicy, and savory sauce. They can be served as an appetizer or…
These baby back ribs are oven-roasted low and slow until tender, then glazed with a sweet, spicy, and savory sauce. They can be served as an appetizer or…
Beef brisket is braised in dark beer with vegetables until tender, then served with a reduced sauce. This hearty dish is perfect for feeding a crowd and…
A stuffed pork loin with a savory filling of bacon, mushrooms, spinach, and Parmesan, grilled to perfection. Serve with roasted vegetables and potatoes…
A fresh and savory South Indian-style chicken korma with a background heat from green chilli, made with coconut cream and cashew nuts. This modern recipe…
This Chinese barbecued pork is marinated in a savory-sweet sauce with red fermented bean curd, then roasted until tender. Serve as an appetizer or use in…
Crispy chicken thighs in a thick, spicy, sticky-sweet sauce made with strawberry jam. A popular American-Chinese dish that balances textures and flavors.
Sweet, sour, and savory spare ribs braised in a soy-vinegar sauce until tender and glazed. Serve as an appetizer or with rice.
Sweet, sour, and savory spare ribs braised in a soy-vinegar sauce until tender and glazed. Serve as an appetizer or with rice.
A savory Chinese eggplant dish with ground pork in a garlic sauce. Roasting the eggplant reduces oil usage, making it a lighter version of the classic.
A rich and restorative Chinese beef noodle soup, featuring tender beef shank simmered with soy sauce, star anise, and Sichuan peppercorns. Served over…
Pork spare ribs are marinated, coated in five-spice rice powder, and steamed until tender. Served over sweet potato slices that absorb the savory juices.
These dumplings feature a flavorful filling of ground pork, shrimp, and pungent Chinese chives, balanced with a balsamic-soy dipping sauce. They can be…
These maple-glazed pork meatballs combine savory pork with sweet maple syrup and apple for a delicious main dish. They are baked with a glossy glaze that…
Savory cornmeal pancakes topped with beer-braised short ribs and diced apple. A hearty, spiced main dish that redefines pancakes.
Peel-and-eat shrimp roasted in a spicy butter sauce with onions, served with melted butter and crusty bread. A family favorite for special visits.
Enchiladas Suizas feature shredded chicken rolled in corn tortillas, topped with a creamy tomatillo-serrano sauce and melted Monterey Jack cheese, baked…
Fresh Vietnamese summer rolls filled with pork, shrimp, rice vermicelli, and herbs, served with a savory peanut dipping sauce.
A rich and creamy chicken tikka masala made with bone-in chicken pieces marinated in spiced yogurt, then charred and simmered in a tomato-cream sauce…
A whole turkey is brined in a honey-salt solution, then smoked on the grill with hickory wood chips until golden and juicy. The result is a flavorful…
Savory crepes filled with a creamy broccoli and cheese sauce, baked with extra cheese on top. A satisfying vegetarian main dish.
Moroccan-style chicken kebabs marinated in a blend of parsley, lemon juice, and spices, then grilled or broiled to perfection.
Fresh recipes and planning tips from Plan n Cook.
Drop recipes onto breakfast, lunch, and dinner for every day.
Ingredients combined and scaled to your household servings.
Browse the library and public kitchens when you need inspiration.
Save favorites, pantry items, and meal plans in one place.
