Main Course Recipes – Variety of Flavors and Ideas for a Hearty Meal

Armenian shish kebab recipe Armenian Shish Kebab Khorovats

Khorovats, or Armenian shish kebab, is a traditional dish of Armenian cuisine, the recipe for Armenian shish kebab includes pork, and khorovats is cooked on a grill or in a tandoor.

Armenian dolma withbeef recipe Armenian Dolma with Beef

Armenian Dolma with Beef - a filling of ground beef with rice, wrapped in grape leaves, prepared according to the recipe of Armenian cuisine.

Uzbek lamb shish kebab recipe Uzbek Lamb Shish Kebab

Traditional Uzbek shish kebab is made from lamb and has its own cooking features, typical only of Uzbek cuisine.

Roasted lamb leg recipe Roasted Lamb Leg

Roasted lamb leg is a very tasty meat dish made from lamb according to a recipe from Azerbaijani cuisine; the whole leg of lamb is baked in the oven.

Cabbage rolls with pork and rice recipe Stuffed Cabbage Rolls with Pork and Rice

Stuffed cabbage rolls with pork and rice - a very tasty recipe from Ukrainian cuisine; cabbage rolls in Ukraine are cooked with a wide variety of fillings.

Beefsteak and potatoes recipe Beefsteak with Potatoes

Beefsteak with potatoes is an easy to cook, but very tasty dish of beef tenderloin with fried potatoes as a side dish.

Chanakhi recipe Chanakhi

Chanakhi is a traditional dish of Georgian cuisine; chanakhi is prepared from lamb with the addition of various vegetables, herbs and spices.

Stuffed bell pepper recipe Stuffed Bell Peppers

Stuffed bell peppers are one of the traditional dishes of Italian cuisine; in Italy, they stuff a wide variety of vegetables, including bell peppers.

Stewed lamb with beans recipe Stewed Lamb with Beans

Stewed lamb with beans is one of the traditional dishes of American cuisine; this dish combines the taste of young lamb and boiled beans very well.

Spinach with croutons recipe Spinach with Croutons

Spinach with croutons is one of the dishes of Italian cuisine. In Italy, various baked goods, including bread, are widely used when cooking dishes.

Italian giblet stew recipe Italian Giblet Stew

Giblet stew is a traditional recipe in Italian cuisine; in Italy, ragout is prepared not only from meat, but also from offal, which results in a very tasty stew.

Armenian fish pilaf recipe Armenian Fish Pilaf

Armenian fish pilaf is one of the many pilaf recipes that Armenian cuisine is so rich in; the pilaf recipe may include salmon or other fish.

Armenian pilaf with lamb and dried fruits recipe Armenian Pilaf with Lamb and Dried Fruits

Armenian pilaf with lamb and dried fruits is a traditional recipe of Armenian cuisine; the pilaf recipe combines the taste of young lamb and sweet dried fruits.

Sweet armenian pilaf with raisins and dried fruits recipe Sweet Armenian Pilaf with Raisins and Dried Fruits

Sweet Armenian pilaf with raisins and dried fruits is a traditional recipe of Armenian cuisine; according to this recipe, sweet pilaf is cooked in Armenia for Easter and other holidays.

Stewed beef liver in sour cream recipe Stewed Beef Liver in Sour Cream

Stewed beef liver in sour cream is cooked according to a fairly simple recipe from French cuisine, and the finished beef liver turns out juicy and very tasty.

Beef stroganoff with fried potatoes recipe Beef Stroganoff with Fried Potatoes

This beef stroganoff with roasted potatoes recipe isn't the easiest recipe, but it's worth it.

Chicken chakhokhbili recipe Chicken Chakhokhbili

In Georgia, chakhokhbili is mainly cooked from pheasant, but in Georgian cuisine there is also a recipe for chicken chakhokhbili, which is no less tasty.

Azerbaijani pilaf with raisins recipe Azerbaijani Pilaf with Raisins

Azerbaijani pilaf with raisins is one of the recipes for sweet pilaf, this pilaf is cooked according to the recipe of Azerbaijani cuisine, meat is not included in the pilaf recipe.

Boiled corned beef with horseradish sauce recipes Boiled Corned Beef with Horseradish Sauce

Boiled corned beef with horseradish sauce is a traditional dish of Swedish cuisine; boiled corned beef with horseradish sauce is a very satisfying and tasty Swedish dish.

Georgian Tolma Recipe Georgian Tolma

Tolma, or Georgian dolma, is one of the traditional recipes of Georgian cuisine, Georgian dolma is slightly different from this dish in other countries.

Cod with mashed potatoes recipe Cod with Mashed Potatoes

Cod with mashed potatoes is a traditional dish of Swedish cuisine, one of the many Swedish fish dishes, very tasty and filling.

Salmon omelette recipe Salmon Omelette

Salmon omelette with or salmon is one of the traditional dishes of Swedish cuisine; this cuisine contains many fish dishes cooked according to various recipes.

Beef zrazy recipe Beef Zrazy

Beef zrazy - these cutlets can be cooked according to a traditional recipe of Ukrainian cuisine; this is a very tasty meat dish made from beef.

Pumpkin and fruits pilaf recipe Pumpkin and Fruits Pilaf

Pilaf with pumpkin and fruit is one of the traditional pilaf recipes of Uzbek cuisine, in this case, Uzbek pilaf is vegetarian - there is no meat in it.

Lamb stew with potatoes recipe Lamb Stew with Potatoes

The recipe for lamb stew with potatoes is not very simple, but the lamb prepared according to this recipe from British cuisine turns out very tasty.

Stewed lamb and vegetables recipe Stewed Lamb and Vegetables

The recipe for lamb stew with vegetables, according to the recipe of British cuisine, includes many different ingredients, and this makes lamb with vegetables a very tasty dish.

Pilaf with lamb and pomegranate recipe Pilaf with Lamb and Pomegranate

Pilaf with lamb and pomegranate is one of the traditional recipes of Azerbaijani cuisine; in Azerbaijan they cook a wide variety of pilaf, including with lamb.

Lamb and rice dolma recipe Lamb and Rice Dolma

Lamb and rice dolma is a traditional recipe of Azerbaijani cuisine; dolma is a filling wrapped in grape leaves.

Uzbek pilaf recipe Uzbek Pilaf

Uzbek pilaf is a traditional dish of Uzbek cuisine; Uzbek pilaf is widely known not only in Uzbekistan; it is cooked in many other countries of the world.

Veal zrazy recipe Veal Zrazy

Veal zrazy is a traditional dish of Ukrainian cuisine; this meat dish consists of veal meat rolls stuffed with minced veal.

Cutlets with milk sauce recipe Cutlets with Milk Sauce

Cutlets with milk sauce are cooked according to a rather interesting recipe; such cutlets are not fried in a frying pan, but baked in the oven.

Gurian pilaf recipe Gurian Pilaf

Gurian pilaf is a traditional recipe of Georgian cuisine; unlike most pilaf recipes, the Gurian pilaf recipe does not include meat.

Chopped schnitzel recipe Chopped Schnitzel

The recipe for chopped schnitzel is very simple; to cook it you will need good meat, breadcrumbs, butter and spices - salt and pepper.

Azerbaijani beef shish kebab recipe Azerbaijani Beef Shish Kebab

Azerbaijani beef shish kebab is cooked according to a traditional recipe of Azerbaijani cuisine and served with lots of vegetables and greens.

Tashkent-style dolma recipe Долма по-ташкентськи

The Tashkent-style dolma recipe is a little more complicated than the usual dolma recipes – it includes grape leaf dolma and stuffed bell peppers.

Lamb shish kebab recipe Lamb Shish Kebab

Lamb shish kebab is a unique meat dish, lamb shish kebab cooked according to this recipe will not leave anyone indifferent.

Roast beef recipe Roast Beef

Roast beef - a whole piece of beef baked in the oven, roast beef cooked according to this recipe has an attractive appearance and excellent taste.

Pork schnitzel recipe Pork Schnitzel

The recipe for pork schnitzel is easy to cook, but the result is a very tasty pork dish.

Main course recipes are the foundation of everyday and festive cuisine. These are the dishes served as the centerpiece of the table – meat and vegetable stews, casseroles, pilafs, pasta, cutlets, roasts, fish, poultry, legumes, and grains. Some are very simple, others more elaborate, but they always remain the main element of the meal, providing richness, satiety, and flavor variety.

What Counts as a Main Course

Main courses cover a wide range of dishes made from meat, poultry, fish, vegetables, grains, and legumes. They include traditional recipes like goulash, pilaf, lasagna, or braised cabbage with meat, as well as modern options such as veggie bowls, steamed meals, baked fish with sauces, or tofu steaks. These dishes can be prepared on a skillet, in the oven, in a slow cooker, air fryer, or over open fire – depending on cuisine and preferences.

Across the world, the main course is the heart of lunch or dinner. In Asia, it might be stir-fried rice or noodles with meat; in Italy – pasta with sauce; in Eastern Europe – stewed meat with potatoes; in Latin America – dishes with beans, corn, and rice.

Cooking and Serving Features

Main courses often involve more complex or longer cooking processes, especially when meat or dense vegetables are used. It’s important to maintain balance in flavor, proper seasoning, and ingredient compatibility. Side dishes and sauces also matter – they enhance the main dish and create a complete composition.

At home, main dishes are often cooked in large quantities – for the whole family or with leftovers in mind. Even in everyday cooking, simple techniques can make these meals not just filling, but flavorful and interesting in texture.

Recipes for Every Occasion

Main course recipes can fit any occasion – quick weekday meals, hearty and aromatic Sunday lunches, festive dishes for guests, or light and dietary options for those watching their intake. Thanks to the variety of world cuisines, sources of inspiration are endless – from basic cutlets with sides to complex meat rolls, lasagna, roasted duck, kebabs, or risotto.