8 'Fancy' Foods That Are Actually Easy To Make

Sometimes diving head first into a complicated recipe will turn out magnificent, but more often it lands somewhere on the "Pinterest fail" spectrum — and that's OK when you aren't under pressure to produce a picture-perfect dinner for guests. Next time you find yourself cooking for a crowd and want to impress with your restaurant-quality dishes, try one of these recipes for 'fancy' foods that any cook can master on the first try.

If you are short on time, try one of our one-pan dinners like this Ahi Tuna and Mushroom Bake recipe that is entirely made using just one sheet pan, keeping cleanup at a minimum without sacrificing flavor or presentation.

Classic dinners like Chicken Marsala with chocolate mousse for dessert are easier than you think and are sure to impress your guests. Want to go all out? Roast a chicken. Not only will the juicy bird with crisp, lacquered skin taste incredible, the smell of browned, nutty butter and vibrant herbs isn't bad either for ambience.

For more delicious, impressive dinners that anyone can make, check out these eight recipes for 'fancy' foods.

When you think paella, you probably imagine a long, labor-intensive cooking process, but this simple recipe develops those delicious Spanish flavors using spicy Andouille sausage, saffron, clam broth, and fresh herbs in a mere 30 minutes.

For the 30-Minute Paella recipe, click here.

This sheet-pan ahi tuna dinner sounds (and tastes!) impressive enough to serve at your next dinner party, but requires minimal clean-up.

For the Ahi Tuna and Mushroom Bake recipe, click here.

This salmon dinner is a breeze to put together and only requires 20 minutes in the oven, so you can have an impressive, delicious dinner on the table even on busy weeknights.

For the Baked Salmon With a Tangy Glaze recipe, click here.

Enjoy this easy-to-make Chicken Marsala recipe for dinner. The simple pan-fried chicken and Marsala wine sauce finished with cream takes less than 30 minutes to cook, making it the perfect option for quick and easy weeknight dinners and last-minute dinner parties.

For the Easy Chicken Marsala recipe, click here.

Linguine with clams is a timeless classic that's easy to prepare and delicious any time of year. This Italian pasta dish gets a bit of an update with the addition of mussels and sweet bell peppers, but it still comes together very quickly once all the prep is done. — Will Budiaman

For the Linguine With Clams, Mussels, and Peppers recipe, click here.

Cheesecake sounds impressive, but with this recipe for no-bake banana cheesecake, it couldn't be simpler. Use your overripe bananas for the best flavor.

For the No-Bake Banana Cheesecake recipe, click here.

Avocado is the secret to this healthier version of a chocolate mousse's rich and luxurious texture. Just combine the ingredients in your high-speed blender, and chill for an incredibly simple chocolate mousse recipe.

For the Raw Chocolate Mousse recipe, click here.

What makes this recipe special is the combination of sage, rosemary, lemon, and tarragon stuffed into the bird's cavity. It smells divine while roasting, and the meat acquires a lush citrus-herb flavor. Roasted Vegetables with Tahini Vinaigrette would be great on the side. You will need a meat thermometer to make sure the chicken is properly cooked. If yours is instant-read rather than traditional, pull the bird out of the oven after 45 minutes and check the temperature in the thickest part of the thigh, avoiding the bone. — Klancy Miller

For the Tarragon-Roasted Chicken recipe, click here.