10,000 main dish recipes

Best homemade tourtiere, the French-Canadian meat pie: spiced ground pork bound with mashed potato, onion and garlic under a flaky double crust. Sage and nutmeg give this Quebec holiday classic its warm, cozy flavor.

Grilled teriyaki tempeh marinated in a quick soy, ginger, and pineapple glaze, served with a fresh pineapple salsa kicked up with jalapeno and cilantro. A smoky-sweet vegan main, easily gluten-free with tamari.

Crispy deep-fried beef fritters that turn leftover roast beef into golden, crunchy bites. Chunks dipped in egg batter, dredged in seasoned flour, and fried hot. A smart way to use up the Sunday roast.

Basic rack of lamb: a French-trimmed rack marinated, then roasted hot to a rosy medium-rare and carved into elegant double-bone chops. The foundation technique for an impressive special-occasion main.

An old-fashioned Mexican beef chili: diced beef braised with garlic, cumin and oregano in a smooth purée of dried chiles, served with a border of fried refried beans. Real chiles, real depth.

Crown rack of veal, a showpiece roast with a Romano breadcrumb crust, filled with a rich Creole-style oyster stuffing and served with a reduced pan sauce. A centerpiece for special occasions.

A fresh basil-garlic burger sauce: mayo whisked with Dijon, lemon, olive oil and plenty of garlic and basil. A herby, creamy upgrade from ketchup that's great on burgers and beyond.

Shrimp scampi broiled in a bright white wine, lemon, and herb sauce with shallots, basil, and oregano. A light, fast seafood dinner that is ready in about 20 minutes.

Chicken pad thai: soaked rice noodles stir-fried with chicken, egg, and a sweet-sour-salty tamarind sauce, finished with peanuts, bean sprouts, and lime. Better than takeout in 30 minutes.

Always popular sausage is homemade breakfast sausage patties seasoned with sage, thyme, allspice, nutmeg, and a little brown sugar and cayenne. No casings needed, just mix, shape, and freeze. You control exactly what goes in.

Margarita-braised chicken thighs go from a paprika-dusted sear into a boozy braise of tequila, orange juice, lime, and sweet dried tropical fruit. Juicy, citrusy, and built on forgiving boneless thighs.

Oven-barbecued beef short ribs, marinated in soy and cider vinegar, braised fork-tender, then basted with barbecue sauce and roasted until sticky and well browned. Fall-off-the-bone ribs, no grill required.

Steak au poivre, sirloin pressed with a bold crust of cracked peppercorns, chilled overnight, then seared and oven-finished. Sliced thin and brushed with a bright lemon butter, this is French pepper steak done simply.

Crispy golden fried oysters, dredged in seasoned flour, egg, and crumbs, then deep-fried hot and fast. Plump and briny inside, shatteringly crunchy outside, and made for dunking in tartar sauce.

Easy tuna noodle casserole made from pantry staples: egg noodles, cream of mushroom soup, and tuna, baked under a crunchy paprika-dusted breadcrumb topping. A budget-friendly weeknight comfort classic.

Chipotle grilled trout rubbed with a smoky paste of chipotle peppers, walnuts, and parsley, then grilled fast. The walnuts thicken the rub into a pesto-like crust. Great with hush puppies and salsa.