Main dishes sit front and center in terms of overall meal plans. Everything else, from appetizer to dessert, gets planned around the main course. Mains typically involve some type of protein, like beef, pork, or chicken.
The good news about main course is that is typically is actually one of the easier parts of a multi-course meal to prepare for. Meats can be broiled, boiled, baked, and fried, but you don’t have too much to deal with besides just the cooking technique.
However, mains can also mean mixed ingredient dishes like casseroles or stews and soups too.
In any event, the main point of the main course is to let the ingredient do the talking, not the technique.
Nothing heartier than a beef main course. Steaks, or fajitas, stews, or meatballs. Beef means everyone leaves the table full and satisfied.
Chicken is the go-to for diet conscious meals, and it also is cheaper than beef. So chicken makes a great budget friendly option for the main dishes. Also, chicken is just as versatile when it comes to ways to prepare it too.
Pork, aka “the other white meat” has the meatier flavors similar to beef, but offers perhaps even more ways to use it based on the cut. Pork is also cheaper too like chicken, so it provides a great way to avoid shocks when you get up to the register.
Also, pork sausage offers a wonderfully versatile ingredient to work with as well for main dishes!
Of course, you don’t have to be a vegetarian to enjoy veggies as a main course either. Consider swapping a vegetable side with an animal main to enjoy a veggie main course sometimes too.
This comforting Cowboy Casserole is a budget friendly one-dish meal that is great for the whole family. With ground beef, black beans, pinto beans, and corn, with a creamy tomato sauce, lots of cheese, and topped with crispy tater tots, it’s the ultimate comfort food but is also nutritious. What is Cowboy Casserole? The basic …
Spaghetti Carbonara is made with spaghetti pasta, parmesan and romano cheeses, and pan-fried bacon all in a rich creamy sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights for the whole family! What is Spaghetti Carbonara? Spaghetti Carbonara is a delicious Italian pasta dish famous for its cheesy creamy sauce and …
These Mini Chicken Pot Pies are the perfect portion of your favorite comfort food! With just 5 ingredients and less than 30 minutes, you will have a budget friendly easy dinner the whole family will love. Mini Chicken Pot Pies An easy and delicious way to use up leftover chicken and vegetables, Mini Pot Pies …
Sausage, Peppers, and Onions is an easy sheet pan recipe, full of classic Italian flavors. This 40-minute low-carb, gluten-free, paleo dish is perfect for a busy weeknight meal or a game-day party that everyone is sure to enjoy! Sausage Peppers and Onions Sheet Pan Dinner Sausage, Peppers, and Onions is a classic Italian dish. And …
This creamy rich Chicken Tetrazzini Casserole is made with chicken, mushrooms, a few veggies, and plenty of sauce and cheese. Baked till bubbly and the cheese is melted it is the perfect comfort food! Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe Chicken Tetrazzini is one of my favorite go-to comfort food recipes. This easy-to-make creamy casserole is always …
Homemade Tomato Basil Soup is a flavorful, easy-to-make bowl of comfort full of sweet acidic tomatoes, healthy veggies, warm broth, and tangy sour cream. Perfect for a causal weeknight dinner, serving a crowd, or when you’re craving the classic soup and grilled cheese pairing! TOMATO BASIL SOUP I love a creamy tomato basil soup on …
Easy American Goulash is a simple skillet dinner that is flavor-packed and the perfect way to feed a crowd. A comforting budget-friendly dish full of hearty lean ground beef, spicy sausage, and tender elbow macaroni, all in a rich tomato broth. Serve with my traditional cast iron skillet cornbread for a perfect cold weather meal …
Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken is a fun twist on the classic Mississippi Pot Roast. Combining all the flavors of the traditional pot roast recipe except made with budget-friendly chicken, this dish is a hearty and filling meal! What is Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken? Crockpot recipes are ones that so many people turn to during those …
French Onion Chicken is not your ordinary chicken dish! Juicy chicken thighs smothered in a rich gravy full of caramelized onions and topped with gooey cheese. This dish is definitely loaded with everything you love about French onion soup, but made in an easy one pot recipe that is sure to quickly become a family …
This Black Eyed Pea Casserole is the perfect combination of wild rice, black eyed pea, veggies, and hearty sausage. Serve it as a side dish or as a main dish and hopefully it will bring you luck! Black Eyed Pea Casserole This southern dish is a great recipe to serve a crowd and made with …