17 Dinners That Are Guaranteed To Make Your House Smell Amazing

There are certain ingredients that everyone knows will permeate throughout a house. Sizzling bacon, sautéed onions, fresh herbs, roasted meats: Some foods fill up your house with vibrant aromas that make you feel hungrier the minute you smell them. Having a home that smells delicious is part of the fun when you're hosting or cooking a big meal; it lets your family and friends know exactly what they can expect right when they walk in — and draws them to the table for what promises to be the highlight of the evening.

One of our go-to recipes when we want to fill our kitchen with an inviting aroma? Coq au Vin. It's world-renowned French comfort food at it's finest: Bacon, onions, carrots, garlic and thyme simmer along with chicken and chicken stock. This version takes only 20 minutes to prep but simmers for over an hour, so it’ll infuse the house with all of those fantastic aromas. Serve simply, with a hunk of crusty bread.

Is there anything more comforting than a hot bowl of chicken noodle soup? It cooks for over two hours which means the simmering vegetables, herbs and chicken have plenty of time to infuse every room of your house with warm, inviting aromas. It’s a fantastic recipe for homemade chicken noodle soup that you can practice and refine all winter long.

This showstopper of a roast is so much easier to make than you might think. You’ll want to find a center-cut piece of tenderloin with an even thickness so that it cooks properly. Simply sear and roast it to medium rare, then be prepared to wow every guest who takes a bite.

Spaghetti and meatballs are a classic comfort food, and the smell of the meatballs simmering in the sauce can’t be beat. Garlic, onions, basil and parsley combine with red pepper flakes, beef broth and crushed tomatoes to make a hearty dinner that is a total crowd pleaser.

Roast chicken is such an impressive dinner, and it’s so much easier than many people might think. The versatile entree can be seasoned with a variety of herbs and served with a variety of vegetables. In this recipe thyme, lemons and garlic combine to create a bright and fresh flavor profile for the warm, inviting meal.

There’s nothing better than a big pot of beef simmering on the stove with a bunch of herbs and spices. Onions simmering with garlic, wine and bacon for over an hour means a house filled with smokey, savory smells that are bound to permeate through every room. Serve with toasted garlic bread and a sprinkle of parsley.

Ready in under an hour, this version of the Mexican-American favorite subs in store-bought rotisserie chicken and salsa for homemade fillings. It's a great way to use up leftover rotisserie chicken, and the store bought salsa makes it extra quick and easy. It’s cheesy, spicy and perfect for a quick weeknight meal or meal prep option.

Pot roast is a classic comfort food, and it’s a cold-weather essential. It’s also totally versatile, and it can be served with pasta, polenta, roasted potatoes or all on its own with a hunk of bread. This is a quintessential recipe that you can keep in your pocket for a cold day when you’re looking to feed your family a cozy dish.

This quick and easy recipe takes just 25 minutes to come together. Perfect for a weeknight meal, the homemade barbecue sauce is sweet and smoky with just a little bit of heat from the hot sauce. Serve with chopped pickles for a bit of bright, tangy flavor.

Smoky, savory and totally nourishing, this is a filling soup that is perfect for a cold and cozy night. Dried guajillo chiles give this dish a bright red color and mild heat that works wonders with smoked pork. For a refreshing crunch, garnish with diced onions, sliced radishes and cilantro.

Bacon is one of the most fragrant foods you can cook, and this recipe is a great way to put them on display. Cooked into buttery pastry dough, it’s a hearty pie that layers potatoes and melted Gruyere cheese with a bit of salt and pepper. Serve it slice by slice with a bright and fresh side salad.

A standing rib roast is such a special meal; the bone-in cut of meat looks impressive when served and the herbs, garlic and red wine perfectly season every bite. It's perfect for a holiday party because you can prepare it in advance, then let it cook while guests arrive. That way your house will be filled with deep, savory aromas.

There aren’t many things that smell better than onions sauteed in butter, and this soup is a great way to highlight their sweet flavor and silky texture. We start by caramelizing the onions, then deglaze the pan with sherry vinegar and simmer with white wine. The soup is light enough to serve as a side dish, but it’s hearty enough to serve as a dinner alongside some crusty bread and a light salad.

If you’d like to recreate Thanksgiving at home any day of the year, try this roasted turkey recipe. It’s stuffed with a sage and cornbread stuffing and piled high with smoky bacon. It cooks for over three hours, so there’s plenty of time to prep your side dishes and enjoy the smell of herbs, bacon and roasted turkey.

Rosemary is a super fragrant herb, and it makes everything it touches smell just a little bit better. This recipe combines pork tenderloin with garlic, dijon mustard and balsamic vinegar so it’s a little sweet, a little tangy and perfectly savory. Serve with broccoli and creamy mashed potatoes.

This quick and easy version of Sunday roast chicken dinner can be ready in only 40 minutes. Better yet, we’re stretching the portions by carving up three roasted chicken breasts for four people (it's plenty). Lemon, parsley and other herbs make it smell fresh and flavorful throughout the roasting process.