Quick answer
What counts as a main course?
Hearty, filling food that forms the core of lunch or dinner — roasted and braised meat, pasta, risotto, bakes, and meat-free options. The main event you actually fill up on.
Main Course Recipes – From Family Classics to Gourmet Delights
The main course is the heart of lunch and dinner — hearty food that fills you up and brings everyone to the table. Find meat and meat-free options, weeknight quick fixes, and slow-roasted Sunday classics. Whether you're cooking for yourself or the whole family, start here.
Best recipes
Plum dumplings with potato dough
Savory asparagus tart with bacon and yogurt
Club sandwich with chicken, cheese and fries
Papet vaudois: swiss cabbage sausage with leeks and potatoes
Dill sauce with slow-roasted beef
Restaurant-style butter chicken (murgh makhani)
Spaghetti allo scarpariello: a quick neapolitan classic
Quick zucchini and lemon pasta
Baked pork ribs with apple cider and bbq sauce
Crispy chicken burger in a homemade bun
Honey chicken drumsticks with pumpkin ragout
Pita bread with meatballs and vegetables
Zucchini stuffed with ground meat
Sesame-crusted salmon with fragrant coriander
Asparagus spaghetti – quick and easy
Mussels in white wine aren't just a summer dish
Trout with crispy brussels sprouts, parsley root and hazelnuts
Pulled duck burger on a homemade bun
Classic scalloped potatoes
Vegetable curry with cashews
Quinoa buddha bowl with egg, chickpeas and vegetables
Grilled orange pork neck with a kick of fiery chilli
Oyster mushroom sandwich with bbq sauce, avocado and wasabi
Sun-dried tomato and halloumi burgers
Frequently asked questions
What can I cook quickly on a weeknight?
Reach for pasta, risotto, a simple chicken dish, or a bake — plenty of mains are ready in half an hour. Every recipe shows its prep time.
Do you have meat-free mains?
Absolutely. You'll find vegetarian and vegan options — legumes, vegetables, pasta, and bakes that fill you up just like meat does.
What should I cook for Sunday lunch?
Classics worth taking your time over — svíčková, roast duck, schnitzel, or a slow braise. Do most of the prep on Saturday, and on Sunday just finish it in the oven and sort the sides.
Can mains be cooked ahead in batches?
Stews, braises, and sauces taste even better the next day and freeze beautifully. Double the batch and you've got dinners for days without extra time at the stove.