39 Delicious Dinner Party Recipes to Impress Your Guests

Planning a dinner party doesn’t have to be complicated as long as you stay organized. Naturally, the food is a major focus, and this collection of tempting dinner party recipes offers plenty of options. While these recipes are all delicious, they’re also simple to prepare because who needs the stress of elaborate dishes when easy ones taste just as amazing! You’ll find something to suit every palate here, whether it’s meat, chicken, seafood, or something a bit different.

Garlic Tomato Shrimp Scampi

Many easy garlic tomato shrimp scampi recipes call for wine, but do you really need to add it? Is there a wine substitute you can add to this seafood pasta dinner recipe instead? The following recipe proves you don’t need to add wine for a delicious shrimp and tomato dish served with pappardelle pasta.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Tomato Shrimp Scampi

Pork Loin Roast with Vegetables

This Instant Pot pork loin roast with vegetables is a perfect date night dinner idea that’s quick and easy to prepare, thanks to pressure cooking. This meat, potatoes and veggies all-in-one dish is made with juicy pork loin and aromatic herbs for a perfect result.
Get the Recipe: Pork Loin Roast with Vegetables

Chicken Braised in Red Wine

This dish features braised chicken in red wine with vegetables and fresh herbs. Paired with creamy mashed potatoes, this slow-braised chicken is always a crowd-pleaser and perfect for a delicious dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Braised in Red Wine

Italian Rice Salad – Insalata di Riso

This colourful, flavourful Italian rice salad is perfect for a picnic, potluck, summer BBQ, or as a versatile side dish for a simple lunch or dinner. Every mouthful of this Mediterranean brown rice salad is bursting with fresh ingredients such as tasty salad vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Italian Rice Salad – Insalata di Riso

Eggplant Parmigiana with Vodka Sauce

Try this authentic Italian recipe for eggplant parmigiana, which is a comfort food favorite. Baked with a flavorful tomato and vodka sauce, this delicious vegetarian dinner idea is a hearty and satisfying meal bursting with tasty flavors.
Get the Recipe: Eggplant Parmigiana with Vodka Sauce

One Pot Gouda and Cream Cheese Corn

Corn-based recipes such as this stovetop cream cheese corn are great since you only need one pot and they’re nice for special occasions. Rosemary, thyme and garlic enrich this easy side dish, making it a great option for a holiday side dish. It’s a great recipe that will become a holiday tradition.
Get the Recipe: One Pot Gouda and Cream Cheese Corn

Pot Roast with Red Wine

This slow cooker pot roast with red wine is a simple and delicious meal that is perfect for preparing in the morning and letting cook all day. When you return, the mouth-watering aroma that fills your home is just a bonus!
Get the Recipe: Pot Roast with Red Wine

Mushroom Ragu

Elevate your pasta game with this delicious and flavorful mushroom ragu vegan pasta sauce, made with garlic, wine, herbs, and a variety of fresh vegetables. This homemade spaghetti sauce is perfect for vegans or anyone who loves a hearty and healthy meal, and is sure to become your new favorite meatless ragu recipe.
Grab the Recipe: Mushroom Ragu

The BEST Roasted Chicken

It’s easy to make a great Thanksgiving or Christmas roast chicken recipe. Chicken’s such a versatile protein and can be jazzed up for a special occasion or used in so many other ways. Here the chicken is roasted whole with delicate, aromatic flavours.
Get the Recipe: The BEST Roasted Chicken

Sweet Potato Gnocchi

Transform traditional Italian comfort food with this recipe for homemade sweet potato gnocchi with roasted garlic sauce. The perfect vegetarian main course or flavorful side dish, this dish is easy to make with just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of patience.
Grab the Recipe: Sweet Potato Gnocchi

Roasted Cauliflower Carbonara

This delicious Italian recipe is ideal for any pasta lover, combining roasted cauliflower florets with a creamy sauce that includes bacon, pancetta, and parmesan cheese. It comes out of the oven perfectly golden brown and caramelized and is sure to impress.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cauliflower Carbonara

Air Fryer Cheesy Bacon Hasselback Chicken

This cheesy bacon hasselback chicken recipe is so good I can’t even tell you how much! Combining chicken with cheese, bacon and spinach, along with herbs and spices, this creamy bacon chicken is low in carbs but high in flavour. This air fryer chicken recipe is perfect for bacon and cheese lovers! Making a chicken breast in the air fryer is a guaranteed quick meal for those busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Cheesy Bacon Hasselback Chicken

Cranberry Beef Brisket

Beef brisket is seriously amazing, It’s a lovely dish for dinner parties, weekend family dinners or any time of year you’re feeling festive. This large brisket with fresh cranberries or cranberry jelly is a great recipe to try!
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Beef Brisket

Beef Braciole

This savory dish, featuring a stuffed and rolled steak smothered in tomato sauce, is a timeless classic that pairs perfectly with pasta, mashed potatoes, or a side of vegetables, making it the perfect centerpiece for a Sunday family dinner.
Get the Recipe: Beef Braciole

Pan Roasted Beef Tenderloin Medallions

The delicious flavours of cayenne, garlic, chilies, horseradish and more, these seared beef medallions with tomato relish sauce are sure to tantalize your taste buds with this 30 minute meal.
Get the Recipe: Pan Roasted Beef Tenderloin Medallions

Italian Panzanella Salad

Panzanella salad is a refreshing summer side dish that combines juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and chunks of crusty bread, all tossed in a tangy vinaigrette. It’s the perfect accompaniment to grilled meats and a delightful way to enjoy the flavors of the season.
Get the Recipe: Italian Panzanella Salad

Beef Stewed with Mushrooms, Red Wine and Bacon

Boeuf bourguignon is one of the best French recipes with beef. This flavourful beef recipe combines the meat with red wine and herbs for an exquisite dish. This dish is sometimes called beef burgundy, because the traditional wine used is from France’s Burgundy region.
Get the Recipe: Beef Stewed with Mushrooms, Red Wine and Bacon

Antipasto Board

Make the Italian antipasto board or holiday antipasto wreath your new appetizer tradition – a delicious party platter featuring a variety of cheeses, deli meats, vegetables, and a flavorful garlicky herb dressing that’s sure to please every palate.
Get the Recipe: Antipasto Board

Roasted Tomato and Meatball Polenta

Meatballs and polenta with garlic roasted tomatoes is a simple-to-make, hearty meal. Easy comforting weeknight meals like this are perfect for the colder months when you crave something tasty and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Tomato and Meatball Polenta

Pesto Fettuccini with Bolognese Sauce

Indulge in a delicious homemade Italian pasta dinner with pesto fettuccini and Bolognese sauce, bursting with fresh veggies in every bite. This hearty dish, featuring a homemade beef Bolognese meat sauce and fettuccine pasta, will satisfy your cravings for a flavorful Italian meal.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Fettuccini with Bolognese Sauce

Antipasto Skewers

Impress your guests with easy-to-make antipasto skewers, perfect for any occasion! Made with classic Italian flavors, these crowd-pleasing bites are ideal for parties, picnics, and more.
Get the Recipe: Antipasto Skewers

Italian Limoncello Recipe

Make this Italian limoncello recipe for yourself, for a special occasion, or even to give as a gift. A great homemade limoncello recipe is well worth knowing because this lemon-infused alcohol is an excellent way to finish dinner, especially if you’ve enjoyed delicious Italian recipes.
Get the Recipe: Italian Limoncello Recipe

Mushroom and Onion Focaccia Bread

Marsala mushroom and onion focaccia are a wonderful addition to any meal or gathering and is especially great for sharing. With its savory, mushroom flavour and fluffy texture, this focaccia recipe will impress and become a family favourite.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom and Onion Focaccia Bread

Teriyaki Flank Steak with Veggies

Teriyaki flank steak boasts sweet, spicy and savoury flavours in every mouthful. Some of the ingredients in the sauce help tenderize the meat. This means you can expect the flank steak on a cast iron skillet to come out juicy and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Teriyaki Flank Steak with Veggies

Potato and Cheese Tart

New potatoes and melty gruyere cheese make this easy tart nothing short of tantalizing. Use puff pastry for the flakiest and fastest crust.
Get the Recipe: Potato and Cheese Tart

Beef and Potato Bake

This beef and potato bake is an easy, one pot meal that is filling and delicious, making it a great option for a busy weeknight dinner. With a layered potato topping, it’s a convenient dish that won’t create a lot of dirty dishes and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Beef and Potato Bake

Sweet Potatoes with Candied Maple Pecans

Most Southern Thanksgiving side dishes boast elements of sweet, spicy and savoury and this is one of those holiday recipes that won’t disappoint! Maple extract, brown sugar, warm spices, and sea salt really bring out that amazing yam flavour in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potatoes with Candied Maple Pecans

Sweet Italian Ricotta Pie

Looking for a traditional Italian dessert to make? Try making sweet Italian ricotta pie, a delicious cheese pie filled with ricotta, vanilla, orange, and spices. You can simplify the recipe by using a pre-made pie crust instead of pasta frolla, and your family will love this creamy pie with its lattice top and rich ricotta cheese filling.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Italian Ricotta Pie

Burrata Stuffed Tomato Appetizer

For a delightful Italian appetizer, try making fresh burrata-stuffed tomatoes – a quick, simple, and colorful dish that’s perfect for bite-sized finger food. With only four ingredients, plus salt and pepper, these appetizers are appetizing without being too filling, making them a great start to an Italian-inspired meal.
Get the Recipe: Burrata Stuffed Tomato Appetizer

Hawaiian BBQ Chicken

Perfectly tender chicken is always a winning option and you can’t go wrong with this simple, eight ingredient grilled chicken recipe. This chicken and pineapple recipe offers such wonderful tropical flavors, as well as blending the sweet, tangy and savoury elements for a mouthwatering result.
Get the Recipe: Hawaiian BBQ Chicken

Beef Wellington

It’s made with beef tenderloin, the most tender cut of beef, along with flavourful ingredients such as prosciutto parma ham, rosemary, thyme, mushrooms, shallot, and more.
Get the Recipe: Beef Wellington

Gouda Cheddar Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes

Gouda, cheddar, and parmesan scalloped potatoes made from scratch make an excellent side dish and a comforting meal. The combination of smoked Gouda, white cheddar, and parmesan cheese gives a unique flavor to this dish, making it a perfect choice for a special occasion.
Get the Recipe: Gouda Cheddar Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes

One Pot Chicken and Rice

For a quick and easy weeknight dinner, consider this baked chicken and rice casserole with Brussels sprouts and bacon, a hearty and filling one pot meal that’s sure to please the whole family. Perfect for cooler months, this tasty recipe is a great way to use simple ingredients.
Get the Recipe: One Pot Chicken and Rice

Cranberry Cream Cheese Stuffed Flank Steak

Cooking flank steak is a great idea for the holidays. This extra-special recipe for flank steak includes a rich, creamy filling plus cranberries for a contrasting flavour.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Cream Cheese Stuffed Flank Steak

Chicken Alfredo Crepes

Wondering what Italian crespelle are? They are delicious Italian crepes with alfredo sauce, perfect for making a savory, unique, and flavorful chicken alfredo crepe that is easy to make. Try this leftover chicken recipe, and you’ll discover a new favorite way to enjoy Italian cuisine.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Alfredo Crepes

Creamy Mushroom Risotto

This creamy mushroom risotto bursts with flavor and is a standout side dish for chicken, or turkey, or a satisfying standalone option for vegetarians. Made with white wine or chardonnay, shiitake, and cremini mushrooms, this Northern Italian dish is simple to make yet impressively delicious.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mushroom Risotto

Stuffed Rigatoni Pasta Pie

Everyone will want a slice of this tasty pasta pie recipe and some will want a second! It’s a meaty, cheese pasta bake with rigatoni made in a pie style.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Rigatoni Pasta Pie