39 Elegant and Special New Year’s Dinners

As it’s going to be your very last meal this year, it’s well worth making something elegant for dinner! The choice is yours and there are plenty of appealing options – everything from beef tenderloin and seafood-stuffed pasta to spinach-stuffed chicken and baked Cornish hen is included here. There are also some tasty side dishes for the extra special New Year’s dinners to choose from, such as rich and creamy potatoes au gratin. So, end the year on a high note and make one of these festive and flavor-packed dishes!

The Best Holiday Roasted Chicken

The key to the best holiday roasted chicken might lie in the simplicity of the recipe. Also ideal for a regular weeknight dinner when you want something a little fancier, this no-fuss, one pot whole chicken is a real winner. Garlic, lemon and rosemary add subtle, delicious flavours, and you will find just about any festive side dishes go perfectly alongside this juicy chicken. Add this Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year roast chicken to your holiday menu!
Get the Recipe: The Best Holiday Roasted Chicken

Kielbasa, Cabbage and Potatoes

This slow cooker kielbasa, cabbage, and potatoes dish is the perfect comforting meal for a chilly evening. With a hearty combination of slow-cooked sausage, cabbage, and potatoes, this easy crockpot recipe is sure to become a family favorite.
Get the Recipe: Kielbasa, Cabbage and Potatoes

Holiday Beef Wellington

What about making holiday beef Wellington for Christmas or New Year dinner this year? 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. This Thanksgiving or Christmas beef Wellington recipe is straightforward to make and it’s a wonderfully decadent meal for the holidays.
Get the Recipe: Holiday 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

Sheet Pan Crab Legs

Flavored with Old Bay, butter, garlic, and lemon, these juicy crab legs are sure to put a smile on everyone’s face. Crab has a distinctive taste and these snow crab legs are always a nice treat.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Crab Legs

Smoked Rack Of Lamb With Herb Paste

Smoked rack of lamb or smoked lamb chops just can’t fail to impress. Everyone will love this Frenched rack with herb paste and there are plenty of tasty side dishes which would go perfectly alongside.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Rack Of Lamb With Herb Paste

Smoked Gouda Mac And Cheese With Pancetta

Take standard mac and cheese to inspiring new heights with this smoked gouda mac and cheese with pancetta recipe. Elbow noodles pair up with gouda cheese, white cheddar, garlic, pancetta or bacon, shallots, and more, to create this seriously impressive dish. You can enjoy this grown up mac and cheese as a side dish or as the main dish and I guarantee second helpings and clean plates!
Get the Recipe: Smoked Gouda Mac And Cheese

Smoked Sweet Onion Honey Glazed Ham

Smoked sweet onion honey glazed ham makes a delicious meal for a special occasion. New Year, Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter would be the perfect time for smoking a ham on a pellet smoker or Traeger grill. This honey ham recipe is juicy and flavourful.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Sweet Onion Honey Glazed Ham

Cranberry Cream Cheese Stuffed Flank Steak

How does cranberry cream cheese stuffed flank steak sound as a Christmas dinner dish? Doesn’t the sound of this recipe make your mouth begin to water? It’s such a great recipe for stuffed flank steak and works well as a New Year, Thanksgiving or Christmas steak recipe when you want something both fancy and tasty.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Cream Cheese Stuffed Flank Steak

Pan Roasted Beef Tenderloin Medallions With Tomato Relish

If you’re craving a quick beef recipe for dinner, you might like to make pan roasted beef tenderloin medallions. Featuring 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. It’s a great recipe for a busy weeknight supper since it’s pretty easy to throw together in a cast iron skillet.
Get the Recipe: Pan Roasted Beef Tenderloin Medallions With Tomato Relish

Cranberry Holiday Beef Brisket

This cranberry holiday beef brisket is seriously amazing. It’s a lovely dish for the holiday season, Jewish holidays or any time of year you’re feeling festive. A large brisket with fresh cranberries or cranberry jelly is a great recipe for any holiday, special occasion or simply because it’s delicious enough to have any day!
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Holiday Beef Brisket

Beef Tenderloin

A true showstopper, this Beef Tenderloin roast is the perfect holiday or special occasion main dish. It’s very easy to cook with just a few minutes of prep work, and you’ll be rewarded with incredible flavor. Once you see how easy this recipe is to make, it’s sure to become a new go-to for special occasions. We mostly make this for Christmas dinner or New Years. But it’s great for other special occasions like birthdays as well.
Get the Recipe: Beef Tenderloin

Spicy Oyster Stew: A New Year Tradition

Spicy Oyster Stew has been a Christmas and New Year Tradition in many families for decades. It’s rich, milky, buttery, surprisingly filling, and doesn’t take long to make. The Christmas Eve tradition of eating oyster stew originates from the Irish Catholic community, in which meat was prohibited the night before Christmas. The New Year’s Eve tradition of Oyster Stew was due to the belief that eating oysters increases sex drive and fertility. That said, serve this on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, and you’ll have a wonderful holiday season.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Oyster Stew: A New Year Tradition

Easy Cajun Hoppin John

Easy one pot Hoppin’ John recipe made with canned black eyed peas, ham, sausage, and rice! Cajun flavors. Ready in under an hour!
Get the Recipe: Easy Cajun Hoppin John

Garlic Butter Baked Lobster Tails

Oven Baked Lobster Tails are delicious, impressive, yet easy to make. Drenched in a flavorful garlic herb butter sauce, this is an elegant dinner recipe for any special occasion or holiday meal, like New Year’s Eve or Valentine’s Day. Baked Lobster Tails are super simple and taste amazing dipped in the melted butter mixture. It’s really a decadent dinner that looks like you spent hours on when it really only took you 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Baked Lobster Tails

Steak Crostini

These delicious steak crostini are one of my favorite appetizers and once you’ve tried them you’ll know why. Crunchy little toasts are topped with juicy slices of beef tenderloin and topped with horseradish cream. Perfect for easy entertaining. This steak crostini recipe is one of those simple appetizers that looks and tastes amazing. It’s perfect for the holiday season or any time you have family and friends round for dinner.
Get the Recipe: Steak Crostini

Individual Beef Wellingtons

These Beef Wellingtons are layered with flavor and ideal for special occasions and holiday dinners. They are super luxurious. Beef Wellington is a tender filet mignon steak wrapped in delicate puff pastry. It is allegedly named after Arthur Wellesley, the first Duke of Wellington.
Get the Recipe: Individual Beef Wellingtons

Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Scallops

Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Scallops are an easy-to-make yet impressive and elegant appetizer. The perfect finger food for serving at Christmas, New Year’s Eve, cocktail parties, or any special occasion. These are simple to whip up but are a restaurant-quality elegant appetizer that you can use for holidays like Christmas, New Year appetizers, fancy dinners, and even as a main dish.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Scallops

Easy Holiday Prime Rib Roast

Nothing says the holidays like a Prime Rib Roast. It is one of our family’s favorite dinners. Here is our family recipe. A beautiful and mouthwatering prime rib roast is a fantastic meal, whether you are celebrating big moments, hosting a Christmas or New Years Eve meal, or simply enjoying a special meal together.
Get the Recipe: Easy Holiday Prime Rib Roast

Cioppino Recipe (Seafood Stew)

Cioppino is a comforting San Franciscan seafood stew filled with shrimp, clams, mussels, white fish, and crab legs all simmered in a rich broth made from tomatoes, white wine, and fish stock. A family favorite, enjoy this easy and delicious one-pot seafood stew for a special weeknight or holiday meal.
Get the Recipe: Cioppino Recipe (Seafood Stew)

Individual Beef Wellington Recipe

Beef Wellington shaped into individual meat pastries. Serve as an elegant main course meal this holiday season. Individual Beef Wellington make a delicious, pretty and elegant main course meal this holiday season. Serve them up to your family and friends for Christmas or New Year’s for dinner.
Get the Recipe: Individual Beef Wellington Recipe

Juicy Cast-Iron Roast Chicken

This is the juiciest and most flavorful cast-iron roast chicken with finger-licking pan juices and deliciously flavored with Italian seasoning and creamy Brie cheese. It all goes into one oven-safe skillet with just 10 minutes of hands-on time—simple, easy, yet big in flavors. It’s a foolproof recipe that works every single time. This cast-iron roast chicken is one of those comfort dishes that can work for weeknight dinners, yet it’s special enough for company. Or maybe even a Holiday dinner.
Get the Recipe: Juicy Cast-Iron Roast Chicken

Seafood Stuffed Shells

These decadent seafood stuffed shells feature a mixture of shrimp, crab, and scallops with a blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan cheeses, and it’s topped off with a rich and creamy bechamel sauce, then baked until golden brown. It’s an elegant and delicious dish perfect for a holiday dinner or special occasion meal.
Get the Recipe: Seafood Stuffed Shells

Easy Prime Rib Roast With Horseradish Cream

It doesn’t get any better (or easier) than this Salt and Pepper Crusted Prime Rib Roast recipe. Save this one for the holidays or anytime you want a celebration worthy dinner. This roast is so stunning, you won’t even need a centerpiece at your holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Easy Prime Rib Roast With Horseradish Cream

Scallop Linguine In A Cream Sauce

This decadent seared scallop linguine comes with a light, creamy sauce full of shallots and parsley. With minimal ingredients, but lots of fresh flavor, you’ll love this scallop pasta for a special dinner. The past few years we’ve had really low key holidays and this has been one of my favorite New Years Eve dinners.
Get the Recipe: Scallop Linguine In A Cream Sauce

Salmon With Dill Cream Sauce

This delicious pan-fried salmon with dill cream sauce is a restaurant-worthy dish that is easy enough for any night of the week. With just a handful of fresh and simple ingredients, the flavors in this easy salmon dinner are simply perfect. Serve this with mashed potatoes or rice, and some simpe green veggies , for an unforgettable meal that is easy enough for the weeknights but special enough for a fancy dinner or holiday feast.
Get the Recipe: Salmon With Dill Cream Sauce

Garlic Crusted Pork Roast

This super easy roasted pork loin is completely fool proof and has a garlic and herb butter crust that makes the most delicious pan drippings. Try this for a holiday dinner or medium-fancy weekend dinner idea with some quick buttered stewed cabbage. It is super easy to make but feels fancy because of the crust, which is really just garlic, mustard herbs, and some easy flavors.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Crusted Pork Roast

Orange Herb Roasted Chicken

Savor the blend of zesty oranges, pomegranate, and fresh herbs in this easy orange herb roasted chicken recipe, perfect for any festive dinner occasion. Hosting a holiday dinner or planning a meal for a special gathering? This orange herb roasted chicken is just the ticket for an impressive and satisfying centerpiece for your holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Orange Herb Roasted Chicken

Angello Brasato (Italian Braised Lamb)

This Angello Brasato (Italian braised lamb) is a tender and delicious way to make lamb. It is the perfect recipe for a holiday dinner or a wonderful romantic meal at home. Although it seems daunting, this Agnello Brasato is actually a very simple recipe. It is wonderful for a holiday meal or a romantic meal at home.
Get the Recipe: Angello Brasato (Italian Braised Lamb)

Steak And Lobster (Surf And Turf)

Steak and lobster is an elegant yet easy dinner for date nights, holidays and more! Pair tender cooked ribeye with baked lobster tails and garlic butter to create a hearty restaurant-quality meal. Serve it with your favorite side dish or salad for a complete meal. Enjoy this meal as a cozy dinner in the winter or as a fresh and flavorful meal in the summer. Serve it with a glass of wine for the perfect touch.
Get the Recipe: Steak And Lobster (Surf And Turf)

Hoppin’ John Black Eyed Peas New Year’s Recipe

This Hoppin’ John black eyed peas recipe is an annual Southern New Year’s tradition! It’s dish usually served on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day for good health, prosperity and good luck in the coming year. Most often, this New Year’s dish is served as an entree, to ensure a prosperous year, but if you’re serving a large meal, it’s an excellent side dish along with some slow-cooked Southern greens and a piece of homemade cornbread.
Get the Recipe: Hoppin’ John Black Eyed Peas New Year’s Recipe

Easy Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe

The best way to enjoy spinach is stuffed into a perfectly seasoned chicken breast along with a creamy, garlicky cheese filling! Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast is simple enough to make for a weeknight dinner and fancy enough for company or a celebration. Stuffed Chicken adds extra special detail to dinner that makes it perfect for dinner parties, holidays, or celebrations.
Get the Recipe: Easy Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe

Baked Cornish Hen Dinner

Baked Cornish hen is the perfect date night meal or holiday dinner that is simple to make that has all the flair and none of the fuss, thanks to this perfect sheet pan dinner. The seasoned cornish hens are flavorful and juicy and are cooked alongside carrots and potatoes making it a complete meal all on one tray. This is perfect for a simple holiday dinner for 2.
Get the Recipe: Baked Cornish Hen Dinner

Maple Glazed Carrots

These maple glazed carrots are rich, tender, and perfectly caramelized! Roasted carrots are infused with the sweet and savory flavors of pure maple syrup, garlic, vegan butter, and thyme. Serve this simple side dish for the holidays or a Sunday family dinner.
Get the Recipe: Maple Glazed Carrots

Chili Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

What’s not to love about stuffed portobello mushrooms? Depending on their filling, they can be a perfect appetizer, side or main dish. In this recipe take large mushroom caps stuff them with a hearty vegan bean chili, baked them in the oven with melted cheese on top. Absolutely delicious for a weeknight dinner or for holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Get the Recipe: Chili Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

Smoked Lobster Tails With Lemon-Garlic Butter

Make your next special occasion even more memorable and put these smoked lobster tails with a decadent lemon-garlic butter on the dinner menu. You’ll love how sweet, buttery lobster gets an extra touch of flavor with the perfect kiss of smoky notes. Plus, this gourmet dinner only requires 20 minutes of hands-on preparation time. Whether you’re celebrating a holiday, birthday, anniversary or any other special occasion, this smoked lobster brings fine dining right to your own home.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Lobster Tails With Lemon-Garlic Butter

Slow Cooker Prime Rib Recipe

This Slow Cooker Prime Rib Roast Recipe is the easiest way to cook prime rib! Whether you’re preparing a perfect prime rib for the holidays like Christmas dinner or other special occasions, this recipe is foolproof, with delicious flavor and texture, with a super approachable method that anyone can master! Serve it with our creamy horseradish sauce for an incredible main course.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Prime Rib Recipe

Potatoes Au Gratin

Creamy and comforting, potatoes au gratin is made with thinly sliced potatoes in a rich cheese sauce then baked until bubbly. This is a potato recipe favorite and perfect for weeknight dinners or holiday feasts. Potatoes au gratin may sound very French and fancy, but lucky for us, they’re easy to make.
Get the Recipe: Potatoes Au Gratin