Whether it’s an intimate celebration or a big blowout, these dishes will make your gathering extra memorable. Throwing a party soon? You take care of the drinks and the decorations, and I’ll be in charge of dinner. From appetizers to entrees, this round-up has you covered. I have fantastic finger foods, scrumptious sides, and hearty eats to complete your feast! These dinner recipes will make your party a guaranteed hit.
30 Dinner Party Recipes and Ideas to Impress Your Guests
1. Sirloin Tip Steak
Nothing says fancy more than a steak dinner. It can be quite expensive though, especially if you’re feeding a lot. The solution? Sirloin steak tips! These steaks are soft, juicy, tasty, and won’t break the bank. Completing the dish is rich mushroom gravy that’s delicious enough to be enjoyed on its own. The best part is, unlike other steak recipes, this one will be ready for dinner in just 50 minutes.
2. Cheddar Chive Popovers
The combination of cheddar cheese and chive is a formula for success. There’s something about these two that work so well together. These popovers are proof. The rolls are light and puffy, and deliciously flavored with, as you may have guessed, cheddar and chive. I know what you’re thinking – baking bread for a party? Forget it! Don’t worry, this recipe doesn’t require any kneading, rolling, or rising. Instead, it’s ready to serve in just 40 minutes.
3. Chicken Pot Pie
Any party that involves chicken pot pie is a sure win for me. This scrumptious comfort food is one of my weaknesses. I can never say no to it. How can anyone resist? From the flaky and buttery crust to the rich and savory chicken filling, it’s a 12/10. Not only is it delicious but very hearty, too. It’s perfect for feeding a group of hungry guests.
4. Cheese Board
I love a good charcuterie. Just looking at that beautiful spread gives me joy. With charcuterie, there’s something for everybody. Cold cuts, cheeses, vegetables, fruits, nuts – you name it! This recipe calls for a lot of items, but don’t feel like you need to have everything on the list. As long as you have the crucial elements – three to five types of cheese, two types of meats, and an assortment of fruits, nuts, and veggies – you’re good. Feel free to make your board your own.
5. Rolls
This recipe is a copycat of the famous Texas Roadhouse rolls. These square buns don’t only have a unique shape, but flavor as well. Kissed with honey cinnamon butter, they’re sweeter than normal, and a lot tastier than most. They’re an excellent side to a thick soup or an entree with gravy. Their sweetness adds a nice flavor contrast to salty and savory dishes.
6. Crostini
This versatile finger food can be used in so many different ways, so having it for your party is a smart decision. Whether you dunk them in dip, smother them with cheese, or turn them into appetizers, you can’t go wrong. Crostini are small slices of crusty baguette. Their super-crunchy texture makes them the perfect vessels for dips, cheeses, and a variety of toppings.
7. Pizza Rolls
Sometimes, no matter how well you’ve planned for a party, you can still end up with more guests than expected. What do you do when there’s not enough food for everybody? You can always count on frozen pizza rolls. With the help of the air fryer, they get perfectly crispy and delicious. And they’ll be ready in no time. Problem solved!
8. Honey Glazed Salmon
I’m drooling just by looking at this honey-glazed salmon. This stunning dish is excellent for your next intimate dinner. Soft, flaky, and rich salmon fillets are coated with a browned butter lime glaze. The fish is delicious on its own, but the glaze is what makes it phenomenal. Made with honey, garlic, lime, and butter, the flavor combinations are just spot on.
9. Sweet Potato Casserole
While a certified hit during Thanksgiving, this sweet potato casserole will turn any party from so-so to spectacular. Sweet, tender, and sprinkled with a nutty, buttery pecan topping, it’s perfect no matter the occasion. What’s even greater about it is that you can prepare it ahead of time, and just pop it in the oven when ready to serve.
10. White Pizza (Pizza Bianca)
If you haven’t tried Pizza Bianca yet, this is your clear-cut sign. Trust me, it’s a must-try. Also referred to as white pizza, it doesn’t have the usual marinara sauce. Instead, it’s drizzled with olive oil and topped with garlic and a variety of white cheeses. For this recipe, you’ll need mozzarella and pecorino, but feel free to add more!
11. Lasagna
It’s quick and easy, but it’s just as delectable as your mom’s lasagna. Where most recipes will require hours of simmering the lasagna sauce, this one will only take 5 minutes. The secret is pre-made marinara! I highly recommend Barilla, but feel free to use your favorite. Loaded with Italian sausage or ground beef, ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmigiano-Reggiano, this lasagna is undeniably rich, meaty, and cheesy.
12. Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese, Walnuts & Honey-Dijon Vinaigrette
If you’re an avid reader of my blog, you know I’m not a huge fan of green salads. The fact that I’m recommending this one means a lot! A mix of beets, greens, goat cheese, and walnuts, this salad is full of colors, textures, and flavors. Tying them together is a refreshing vinaigrette made with honey, mustard, and red wine vinegar. How awesome is that?
13. Green Bean Casserole
The green bean casserole has brightened up parties since the 1950s. Featuring Campbell’s cream of mushroom soup, French’s French fried onions, and of course, green beans, this simple dish is rich, creamy, and absolutely amazing. It’s also an easy, 10-minute recipe that only calls for six basic ingredients. It goes to show that party foods don’t need to be expensive to be delicious.
14. Baked Pork Chops
Pork chops are great, but one wrong move and they’ll be tough and rubbery. Don’t worry, with this recipe, there’s no chance of that happening. Instead, you’ll get perfectly tender, juicy, and succulent chops. Seasoned with onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper, these chops are simple but tremendously flavorful.
15. Pot Roast
The Mississippi pot roast is a scrumptious dish of pulled chuck roast dressed with a rich au jus and flavored with pepperoncini peppers. The beef is slow-cooked in the Crockpot for hours, so you’re assured meat that’s so tender, it melts in your mouth. The gravy is made with ranch, au jus, and pepperoncini peppers, so it’s rich and savory with a bit of a kick. It’s delicious!
16. Garlic Parmesan Risotto
I used to stay away from risotto recipes, thinking they were complicated to make. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that they were actually pretty simple. Now, I find myself making this garlic parmesan risotto every opportunity I get. Believe me, you’ll love how cheesy and garlicky this pasta is! Best of all, it only takes under 30 minutes to make.
17. Chicken Piccata
Chicken piccata is a delicious Italian dish made of fried chicken cutlets in a rich and buttery lemon sauce, with salty capers on top. The chicken and the capers are great, but the sauce is the true star of this dish. A mixture of butter, lemon juice, and white wine, this sauce is indescribably delicious.
18. Beef Wellington
If you’re an avid fan of MasterChef and Hell’s Kitchen, you know that Beef Wellington is one of Chef Gordon Ramsay’s signature dishes. I have yet to visit one of his Michelin-starred restaurants, but I’m pretty sure this beef Welly can rival his. Juicy and tender beef is covered with mushroom duxelles and wrapped in a flaky crust, and baked to medium-rare perfection. No wonder it’s a hit!
19. Cornbread
Whether or not you’re serving chili, this cornbread is a must-have at your party. This rustic side dish will make your special occasion extra special. First of all, you can’t go wrong with that golden color. Just looking at this southern delight will make your mouth water. More importantly, though, it’s ridiculously delicious. It’s soft, moist, and crumbly, and the corn flavor is on point.
20. Sausage Balls
These muffins-meatball hybrids are sensational! These bite-sized wonders will be the first to disappear in your feast. Because you’ll be using Bisquick mix to make the muffin batter, this recipe is as easy as 1-2-3. But the sausage balls are so darn good, you can easily fool your guests into thinking they took you hours to make.
21. Mashed Potatoes
Nothing beats the classics. Whatever the occasion, mashed potatoes will always be a hit. It’s everyone’s go-to side dish and for good reason. They’re rich, they’re creamy and simply irresistible. This recipe gives the classic a little Irish flair, though. And no, you won’t infuse the spuds with Guinness. We’re adding butter and half-and-half instead. With this little twist, you get super-silky and extra buttery mashed tots.
22. Roasted Vegetables
I’ve been talking about a lot of sinful and decadent dishes a lot, so how about something wholesome to break the streak? Don’t worry, this side dish may be healthy, but it’s seriously delish. A medley of vegetables is drizzled with olive oil and seasoned with spices, and roasted to perfection. It’s a simple concept, but it definitely delivers.
23. Crab Cakes
Got crabmeat? I know exactly what you should do with it. Crispy on the outside, soft and meaty on the inside, these crab cakes mean serious business. Flavored with mayonnaise, mustard, parsley, and Old Bay Seasoning, you’ll love the contrast between the sweet meat and earthy and creamy seasonings. By the way, these crab cakes are baked, not fried, so you can enjoy that third piece without the guilt.
24. Grilled Chicken Kabobs
For me, any dish served on a stick is an instant party hit. I don’t know what it is, but there’s just something so festive about it. Take these kabobs, for instance. The contrasting colors of the chicken and the vegetables are so nice to look at. The flavor and texture combinations are even better. It’s a feast for the eyes and the palate, indeed.
25. Scalloped Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are great, but scalloped potatoes are equally amazing. I love the idea of slicing the potatoes thinly because it yields such a nice texture. The potatoes are firm on the first bite, and then they become so nice and tender as you chew. It’s such a wonderful mouthfeel. As for the flavor, well, you really can’t go wrong with butter, milk, and potatoes.
26. Prime Rib
Texas Roadhouse is famous for its bread rolls, but who are we kidding? We’re there for the prime rib. If you’re a sucker for their succulent roasted beef, then I’m sure you’d want to recreate it at home. With this recipe, you can look forward to seeing your guests’ jaws drop with amazement.
27. Butternut Squash Soup
Doesn’t matter if it’s winter, spring, summer, or fall: this butternut squash soup is delicious regardless of the season. It’s thick, creamy, sweet, and seasoned perfectly. Apart from butternut squash, this soup also features carrots and potatoes, so you know it’s extra hearty and delicious.
28. French Tomato Mustard Tart
Tomatoes and mustard together on a tart? It seems like a strange combination, but this tart is actually a classic French recipe. It’s one of the go-to recipes French cooks make whenever tomatoes are in peak season. So, if you’re looking to French up your party, you know what to do!
29. Ribs
These ribs are so tender and succulent they fall off the bone. Kissed with a sweet and smoky glaze, they’re undeniably delicious. This is everything you can ask for in a good rack of ribs.
30. Bacon Wrapped Smokies
Smoky sausages are covered in sugar-coated bacon and baked to crispy perfection. These bite-sized appetizers are so good, I can eat them all day. They’re way too delicious not to share! Be sure to triple the recipe, otherwise, they’ll disappear right away. Click on a star to rate it!
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