If you are asking for possibly harder/more complex games, I would suggest Eldritch Horror (coop) or Dead Of Winter. For other great games that are still very newbie friendly: Ticket To Ride, Splendor, Azul, Imhotep (iirc).
All those you always have something to do, which is my main gripe with Catan, where some games can be A LOT of fun, and some others, you would rather be watching paint dry.
Thank you for the recs! I think I'll have to check out dead of winter.
I think after some reflection I know what you mean about the variance of "stuff to do" from game to game in Catan. We don't play much anymore, as I prefer asymmetry, but I have such fond memories of it, I was just curious.
All those you always have something to do, which is my main gripe with Catan, where some games can be A LOT of fun, and some others, you would rather be watching paint dry.