The best dinner foods in the USA that will leave you licking your plates clean
If you want to set your taste buds on fire and have them screaming with joy, you have come to the right place. In this article, I will tell you about the best food in America that will leave your mouth drooling and make you wonder why more of us don't eat these things every night!
American Diner
Diner food is always going to be a crowd-pleaser. It's indulgent and full of flavour but doesn't take too much effort to make. There are classics from all over America - think deep-fried mac n' cheese - but there are also smaller regional gems scattered across every state. We've taken a crack at picking out some of our favourites. If you've got more suggestions for delicious dinner food, don't forget to share them with us!
Deep Fried Mac' n' Cheese: We've all had it, but have we ever tried to make it? Well, look no further for a recipe. One of America's most classic diner dishes is about as indulgent as comfort food. It's deep-fried macaroni and Cheese, so why wouldn't it be fantastic? The dish was initially created in 1950s San Luis Obispo County, California, at a restaurant called Jacks. While Jack no longer exists, thankfully, plenty of other diners still offer up their version - with some pretty impressive variations too!
In Cincinnati, Ohio, it's a must-order dish at Montgomery Inn Boathouse. At the same time, New York's exemplary dining pioneer Le Cirque came up with their spin on it and dubbed it Monte Cristo breaded macaroni. Dallas diner Favorite Café sells their take called Swiss Miss, but deep-fried mac 'n' cheese will always be unique no matter where you go or who makes it. Look out for our classic Mac' n' Cheese recipes and Philly cheesesteaks.
Deep Fried Mac' n' Cheese - Recipe: Ingredients for four portions: 340g dried elbow macaroni 200ml whole milk 150ml egg, beaten 250g cheddar cheese, grated 2 tsp ground mustard 1tsp paprika salt and pepper to taste 1⁄2 tsp nutmeg 50g breadcrumbs vegetable oil for deep frying Serves 4 Total preparation time: 35 min Yield: Serves 4 Instructions Prepare all of your ingredients and equipment before beginning! Pour hot water into a large saucepan until it covers 3/4 of its surface. Place over high heat until boiling. Add a dash of salt if desired. Whilst waiting for it to boil, prepare your macaroni according to packet instructions.
Asian Cuisine
I'd venture to say that most Americans love Chinese food. Take it from a guy who grew up eating Chinese food on Sundays after church; we don't mind loading our plates with fried rice, sweet and sour chicken, noodles or other delicious options. One of my favourite Asian dishes is American Chop Suey—which I only know as noodles stir-fried with veggies and chicken...and served with an egg roll. Sometimes one meal can have it all! Restaurants serving American-Chinese cuisine can be found across America.
American-Chinese cuisine has permeated our culture with delicacies like General Tso's chicken and fortune cookies. But while Chinese food may seem uniquely American, it originated in China and has taken on some different tastes as it moved throughout Asia and onto our shores. Some of my favourite types of Chinese food include egg rolls (again), stir-fried noodles, spring rolls, and satay chicken served over rice. I'll have a burrito if I'm not eating Asian cuisine for dinner! Plenty of Mexican restaurants across America serve delicious burritos filled with beans, rice, Cheese and various other fillings.
Burritos are a uniquely American dish, and I have to give credit where credit is due: To California. And while we're talking about Mexican food, it's also worth mentioning tacos! It can be hard to find good Mexican food outside of major cities—which makes sense given how popular these cuisines are—but places serving tacos on the go or full sit-down restaurants can be found across America.
Cajun and Creole Cuisine
Americans love Italian food, but unfortunately, a lot of it is deep-fried. Some dishes like lasagna and spaghetti have ways to turn them into healthier versions by adding more vegetables or making pasta a bit smaller, but with others – such as pizza and calzones – not so much. On average, a medium cheese pizza packs 310 calories per slice (you may want to check other topping options), while garlic bread clocks in at an astonishing 460 calories per serving. But if you order Italian food while dining out, we recommend asking for it with less oil and having more veggies; make sure to ask first before putting your meal together!
On top of Italian food, we recommend ordering Cajun and Creole dishes. Although they may contain many calories, they are much healthier than other classic American favourites. Red beans and rice is almost as famous as macaroni & Cheese here, and just one cup has only 320 calories! Red beans and rice are both low in saturated fat and sodium, making them an ideal dish for anyone looking to lose weight. So if you're craving a hearty meal, opt for one of these delicious meals!
New Orleans is famous for its spicy and delicious Cajun cuisine, and Louisiana is equally renowned for its Creole dishes. The main difference between Creole and Cajun cooking is that Creole cuisine is French-influenced and traditionally uses tomatoes, while Spanish settlers to New Orleans influenced Cajun meals. However, both styles of food use a lot of hot spices, often from freshly ground peppers. If there's one downside to these spicy meals, they tend to be high in calories – but fortunately for our weight loss readers, healthy options are still available!
Italian Cuisine
Who doesn't love a home-cooked Italian meal? There is no better way to start a great evening than with a delicious, authentic Italian dinner. And while spaghetti may be America's most recognized Italian dish, many other options are far more savoury, filling, and delicious. If you want to enjoy great food without preparing it yourself and save time doing it—go for takeout. Start by heading to one of these restaurants across New York City. You'll find everything from pizza shops where chefs make mouth-watering pies right before your eyes to elegant five-star dining rooms with handmade plates of pasta.
New York City is home to some of America's top Italian restaurants, including many well-established dining spots where it's easy to eat like a king on a pauper's budget. For those who want pizza, many great options throughout NYC serve slices with perfectly baked crust and topping combinations so delicious they have won awards. One such restaurant is Benny Tudino's Pizzeria Napoletana in Manhattan's West Village, which serves up Americanized Neapolitan pizzas with authentic ingredients. Tucked away on Hudson Street, Benny Tudino's has been serving pies since 1989.
For those who want something more substantial, there are also several excellent Italian restaurants to try across NYC. Italian culture has long been an essential part of New York City's culinary scene, which is why there are many great Italian restaurants with authentic food and plenty of pizzerias. But while pizza is easy to come by here—in addition to Benny Tudino's Pizzeria Napoletana, there are also New York City Pizza Tours where guests can hop on a bus and explore some of NYC's most delicious and oldest pizzerias—not every meal ends with a satisfying slice of pie. And that's not a bad thing.
Conclusion
There are tons of delicious food items, but picking suitable ones for your family can be challenging. Thankfully, many great options can serve as a filling main course or complement a different kind of meal. While these meals may be a little more elaborate than something you might make while rushing out of work at 7 p.m., they're also packed with flavour and nutrition. If nothing else, these should help convince even fussy eaters to close their eyes and take a big bite—or at least crack a smile!
Now, while they all have something unique to offer, it can be hard to choose which ones are right for you and your family. That's why it's essential to consider who's eating what meal and what kind of food they prefer. Also, don't forget about the side dishes. A great dinner can still taste fantastic even if some people don't like their word as much as others! An excellent way to improve dinner time is by having fun activities or desserts after dinner! A great exercise is letting each family member tell one story from their day! They can get creative here. This helps them bring out their imagination and excitement for life!