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Dinner parties should be fun, not stressful. These dinner party menu ideas include simple yet impressive dishes, from soups and stews to rice meals and pastas.
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Dinner parties are all about good company and great food.
Thankfully, you don’t need to be an expert cook to prepare an incredible menu. For your next party, ditch takeout and go with homemade food.
These meals are all easy to make, flavorful and customizable.
Crawfish Fettuccine
This pasta is great for dinner parties and other special occasions.
It’s buttery, garlicky, and a bit spicy, with crawfish, sour cream, red bell peppers, and cheese.
Get The Recipe: Crawfish Fettuccine
Dutch Oven Prime Rib Roast
In search of a showstopping centerpiece for your dinner table? You have to try this recipe.
You need only four simple ingredients to make this flavorful prime rib roast.
Get The Recipe: Dutch Oven Prime Rib Roast
Ground Turkey Stuffed Bell Peppers
Each of these peppers is loaded with ground turkey, mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce, and white rice.
You can make this dish a little lighter by opting for quinoa instead of white rice.
Get The Recipe: Ground Turkey Stuffed Bell Peppers
Dutch Oven Chicken Pot Pie
Nothing beats the heartiness and deliciousness of chicken pot pies!
This one is a wonderful option for busy weeknights and dinner parties. You can even use shredded rotisserie chicken to make it.
Get The Recipe: Dutch Oven Chicken Pot Pie
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Turkey Bacon Ranch Sliders
These bite-sized sandwiches are a fun, flavorful addition to any dinner party spread.
Serve them on a wooden board with sweet potato fries and coleslaw.
Get The Recipe: Turkey Bacon Ranch Sliders
Stove Top Lasagna Soup
This comforting creation delivers all the flavors of classic lasagna without the hassle of layering.
Just cook the beef, let everything simmer, and stir in the cheese for a fun finish.
Get The Recipe: Stove Top Lasagna Soup
Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Onion Soup Mix
Too busy to prepare complex dishes? This stew is simple, tasty, and can be made ahead of time.
You can store it in the fridge for up to four days and simply reheat it when you’re ready to enjoy it.
Get The Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Onion Soup Mix
Best Damn Chili
Every dinner party is incomplete without a comforting bowl of chili.
This one is one of the easiest recipes you can make, with red kidney beans, tomatoes, and ground beef.
Get The Recipe: Best Damn Chili
Cracker Barrel Mac and Cheese Copycat
This mac and cheese belongs on any dinner party menu.
It’s made with macaroni, whole milk, Colby-Jack cheese, and flour. Pair it with BBQ pulled pork or steamed broccoli.
Get The Recipe: Cracker Barrel Mac and Cheese Copycat
Nigerian Fried Rice
Take a break from the usual fried rice and try this recipe.
It uses long-grained parboiled rice, but you can use any day-old rice! Then, add carrots and your other favorite vibrant veggies.
Get The Recipe: Nigerian Fried Rice
Instant Pot Garlic Butter Steak Bites
You don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen to make satisfying meals.
These steak bites can be enjoyed as either an appetizer or a main dish. They’re ready in an hour!
Get The Recipe: Instant Pot Garlic Butter Steak Bites
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Sushi Bake
If you love sushi but don’t want to roll it by hand, this sushi bake is the perfect solution.
It’s warm, bubbly, and includes classic sushi flavors—it has cream cheese, Kewpie mayo, and furikake seasoning.
Get The Recipe: Sushi Bake
Vegan Hazelnut Soup
This creamy soup is a unique way to start a dinner party.
It has a luxuriously velvety texture. You can first roast the hazelnuts in a saucepan for 10 minutes for a deeper flavor.
Get The Recipe: Vegan Hazelnut Soup
Italian Zucchini Boats
Looking for a new way to enjoy zucchini? Try this vegan recipe.
Aside from zucchini, you’ll need mushrooms, black olives, red onions, and bell peppers.
Get The Recipe: Italian Zucchini Boats
Vegan Meatloaf
This plant-based twist on a comfort classic is just as hearty and satisfying as the original.
It’s made with lentils, oats, onions, a flax egg, and dairy-free cheddar cheese.
Get The Recipe: Vegan Meatloaf
Cheesy Balsamic Asparagus with Cranberries
Cranberries can make savory dishes even more delicious.
This one pairs asparagus with dried cranberries, sharp cheddar cheese, and balsamic vinegar.
Get The Recipe: Cheesy Balsamic Asparagus with Cranberries
Chicken Drumstick Lollipops
These drumstick lollipops are smoky, slightly sweet, and packed with bold spices.
They also have a mouthwatering sauce made with fruit spread, fresh lime juice, and crushed pepper flakes.
Get The Recipe: Chicken Drumstick Lollipops
Chili Lime Shrimp Wonton Cups With Pico De Gallo
These bite-sized appetizers pack a punch with their zesty, bold flavors.
Main ingredients include tomatoes, red onions, cilantro, and seasonings like onion powder and Tajín.
Get The Recipe: Chili Lime Shrimp Wonton Cups With Pico De Gallo
Bourbon Cherry Cocktail
Plan your main dishes carefully, but don’t forget about the drinks!
This cocktail is not too sweet and pairs nicely with bourbon. Don’t forget to garnish it with fresh cherries.
Get The Recipe: Bourbon Cherry Cocktail
Radish and Anchovy Butter Baguette
Good food has a way of bringing people together.
Prepare this effortless appetizer and share it with everyone. It includes anchovy fillets, butter, and chives.
Get The Recipe: Radish and Anchovy Butter Baguette
Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Salmon
This recipe combines salmon fillets with a homemade spinach artichoke dip, mozzarella cheese, and red pepper flakes.
It’s easy and filling—something you can pair with roasted asparagus, garlic mashed potatoes and other favorites.
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Bang Bang Chicken Skewers
These skewers offer a good balance of heat, sweetness, and umami flavors.
You only need a few simple ingredients like chicken breasts, mayo, honey, and Thai sweet chili sauce.
Get The Recipe: Bang Bang Chicken Skewers
Greek Lemon Chicken and Potatoes
This main dish is made with chicken legs, potatoes, garlic, lemons, and spices.
Drizzle it with extra olive oil, then serve it with a fresh tomato salad.
Get The Recipe: Greek Lemon Chicken and Potatoes
Seared Chilean Sea Bass
Great food doesn’t need to be complicated. Try this seafood creation.
It includes a tasty sauce made with capers, white wine, lemon juice, and butter.
Get The Recipe: Seared Chilean Sea Bass
Burrata Bruschetta
This appetizer brings together tomatoes, basil leaves, balsamic vinegar, and burrata cheese.
Serve it with a side of marinated olives for an extra Mediterranean touch.
Get The Recipe: Burrata Bruschetta
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Do you want to serve both light and filling dishes?
For lighter options, think about using citrus, herbs, and vinaigrettes to make even the simplest dishes taste amazing.
If you want heartier meals, try to incorporate potatoes, pasta and well-seasoned proteins like chicken and salmon.
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25 On The Go Dinners Families Can Enjoy When Life Gets Crazy
When life gets crazy, these on the go dinners family can enjoy will help make sure everyone gets a filling meal to keep them going.
Read it here: 25 On The Go Dinners Families Can Enjoy When Life Gets Crazy
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Hosting a dinner party soon? These dishes are simple, elegant, and absolutely delicious: