The Best Dinner Party Recipes

Cooking dinner and inviting friends over can be done without any hassle. The key is to create a menu that won't require you to spend all day in the kitchen.

Crab Cake Slider Sandwiches

In this compact appetizer, Jeff replaces breadcrumbs with buttery crackers. They not only hold the patties together but also infuse the crab meat with a wonderful hint of flavor.

Recipe: Kamchatka crab meat cutlets

The best tomato soup

Soup is always a great way to start a dinner party—and Ree's cozy tomato soup is sure to please everyone. Plus, it can be made the night before, then all you have to do is reheat it on the day of your party.

Recipe: The most delicious tomato soup

Croutons in maple syrup with soft cheese

When you toast bread in butter and maple syrup, magic happens. The croutons become coated with a sweet glaze; and if you use good bread, like sourdough, the interior remains firm. Top with a soft cheese—this appetizer pairs perfectly with wine.

Recipe: Toasts in maple syrup with soft cheese

Whole baked cauliflower

We're giving one of our favorite vegetables a royal makeover: stuffing it with cheese, kale, and bacon, topping it with crispy breadcrumbs, and baking it until tender.

Recipe: Oven-baked stuffed cauliflower

Baked chicken with balsamic sauce

A simple balsamic vinegar marinade works wonders on baked chicken. And who doesn't want to come over for chicken? Giada's recipe is elegant and affordable.

Recipe: Baked chicken in balsamic dressing

Orzo Pasta Salad

When you're hosting dinner guests, delicious side dishes come in handy. Like this colorful orzo pasta salad: light and elegant, it's the perfect complement to your main course.

Recipe: Orzo Pasta and Chickpea Salad

Buffalo Chicken Wreath Pie

Buffalo chicken dip is always a hit, but serving it inside a warm puff pastry makes it truly special. And the interesting presentation is sure to attract attention.

Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Filled Puff Pastry Ring

Chicken stew with savory buns

Inviting friends over for dinner doesn't have to be fancy. In fact, a dish like Aina's chicken stew with buns (a sort of simplified version of a quiche) embodies the very essence of entertaining: delicious food and the warmth you bring to your loved ones.

Recipe: Baked stew with chicken and buns

Chicken with garlic and cream sauce

This regional classic combines the comfort of a braised dish with the sophistication of a French bistro. The chicken is braised in a cauldron with wine, herbs, and garlic (40 cloves!), which adds a softer, sweeter flavor. A touch of cream at the end adds a finishing touch.

Recipe: Chicken braised in wine and 40 cloves of garlic

Provencal-style scallops

While scallops aren't the cheapest ingredient, they make a simple and elegant dinner for a small, intimate gathering. Our readers rave about Ina's French-inspired recipe.

Recipe: Provencal-style scallops

Ravioli with egg

This pasta dish is sure to impress guests with a colorful surprise: a beautiful, runny egg yolk hidden inside. It's just as delicious as a restaurant appetizer, but it's incredibly easy to prepare with store-bought pasta sheets.

Recipe: Ravioli with spinach and yolk

Puff pastries with cheese and spinach

It's like a mini-appetizer spinach dip. Store-bought puff pastry and frozen chopped spinach help save time in Giada's recipe.

Recipe: Spinach and cheese puff pastry

Coq au vin: chicken in wine

Make this French classic with Ina's recipe: simmer chicken, mushrooms, and pancetta with cognac, Burgundy, and chicken stock until tender and richly flavored.

Recipe: Coq au vin: chicken in wine

Pasta casserole with béchamel sauce

Is there anything better for a dinner party than a cheese casserole? This pasta dish requires very few ingredients.

Recipe: Rigatoni Pasta Casserole in Béchamel Sauce

Bloody Mary cocktail

Aina says, "The only cocktail worth drinking with breakfast is a Bloody Mary." The cocktail is perfect for making ahead, as it only gets better as the tomato mixture steeps.

Recipe: Bloody Mary tomato juice cocktail

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Cheese pizza on homemade dough

Make pizza night tonight! Alton's pizza is delicious and easy to make, so fun to make at home with friends and family—you might never want to order delivery again.

Recipe: Excellent pizza dough

Blackberry Cheesecakes

Ree's dessert is full of wonderful flavors: a creamy cookie and pecan crust, a silky, tart cream cheese filling, and a sweet, fresh blackberry topping.

Recipe: Blackberry cheesecake

The real Margarita

Dinner starts well with a pitcher of a drink that can be made in bulk, like this basic cocktail from Ina. Lime and lemon juice, Triple Sec, tequila, and ice are pureed in a blender and then shaken with ice.

Recipe: The real Margarita

Hot Brown with Mornay Cheese Sauce

Top bone-in turkey and sourdough bread with Mornay cheese sauce. This recipe features chopped roasted red peppers and bacon, and is prepared in individual cast-iron pans.

Recipe: Hot Browns in Mornay Sauce with Sweet Peppers

Aperol Spritz

This is the perfect cocktail to whet your guests' appetites. It's bitter, sweet, and refreshing, and it's making a comeback.

Recipe: Aperol Spritz cocktail

Southwestern Egg Rolls with Salsa

Our readers love these Southwestern-inspired vegetarian egg rolls. Plus, they're the perfect finger food.

Recipe: Egg rolls filled with black beans and Mexican spices with tomato dip

Pizza with shrimp scampi

Recreate classic pasta in pizza form. Top the dough with tender shrimp, two types of cheese, and a lemon-garlic butter sauce. For a spicy kick, top with a pinch of crushed red pepper.

Recipe: Pizza with shrimp scampi

Buffalo-Style Tempura Shrimp

Once you've finished these light and crispy fried shrimp (with blue cheese and hot sauce dips!), save this recipe. You'll want to use this tempura again and again for a variety of dishes, including vegetables.

Recipe: Tempura Shrimp with Buffalo Dressing

Cheese fondue with potatoes, baguette and vegetables

Serve Rachel's super-simple cheese fondue with your favorite dipping ingredients—fresh vegetables, baguette, baby potatoes, and pickles.

Recipe: Simple Cheese Fondue "Say Cheese"

Chicken Kiev

These stuffed chicken breast rolls are perfect for a dinner party: they can be assembled ahead of time and fried just before serving. Best of all, they come in individual portions, making them easy to serve.

Recipe: Chicken rolls with herbs

Chicken curry in tomato sauce: chicken tikka masala

Prepare an Indian dish at home using Aarti's popular recipe. This hearty, mild curry is big enough to feed a crowd.

Recipe: Chicken stewed in a creamy sauce called "Chicken Tikka Masala"

Roast ribs in wine sauce

Tyler lets the beef rest on the cutting board for 20 minutes to allow the juices to settle. The internal temperature of the meat will continue to rise by a few degrees, resulting in a perfectly cooked roast.

Recipe: Beef rib roast au jus with Cabernet

Cajun Mashed Potatoes

Offer your guests a hearty, starchy side dish. This will free up your time to focus on the other appetizers and main course. This festive mashed potatoes are seasoned with a homemade Cajun spice blend of paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.

Recipe: Cajun Mashed Potatoes

Dinner rolls with butter and garlic

Brush frozen pre-baked buns with butter seasoned with 16 cloves of garlic for the quickest and easiest way to fill a bread basket for the table.

Recipe: Dinner rolls with garlic butter

Grilled Peach and Corn Salad

This magnificent salad features the best of summer's harvest (juicy peaches and sweet, crunchy corn), and the flavor is enhanced by grilling the ingredients. Serve it on a bed of bitter arugula—this unique dish is sure to please.

Recipe: Grilled Peach and Corn Salad

The best cauliflower side dish

Looking for a side dish for dinner? The recipe's title says it all: you'll see that cauliflower can be incredibly delicious when prepared correctly.

Recipe: Stir-fried Cauliflower with Tofu and Roasted Peppers

Mini Turkey Meatballs

A simple homemade tomato sauce (can be made ahead) coats miniature turkey meatballs—best served with toothpicks.

Recipe: Mini Turkey Meatballs

Vegetarian taco filling

Damaris prepares vegetarian taco fillings, allowing guests to choose their own toppings.

Recipe: Vegetarian tacos with cabbage, jicama, and corn

Savory cupcakes with cheese spread

Instead of cupcakes, serve these savory miniature treats made with moist cornbread topped with homemade pimento cheese spread.

Recipe: Cheddar, Bacon, and Pimento Corn Muffins

Baked chicken with lemon

This baked chicken dinner is perfect for any special occasion. It looks like you spent hours preparing it, but the recipe is actually quite simple.

Recipe: Crispy Chicken with Lemon and Pepper in the Oven

Baked tortellini with cheese

Giada uses store-bought tortellini to save time, topping them with cheese and sauce before baking them in the oven.

Recipe: Tortellini casserole with cheese

Vanilla panna cotta

Make this vanilla dessert the night before to make it easier on serving day.

Recipe: Vanilla panna cotta

Spicy Tacos in Muffin Cups

Use a muffin tin to make mini tacos. When the tortillas bake, the entire dish browns at the same time, making for a unique presentation perfect for a party.

Recipe: Meat-filled tacos

Salad with fried shrimp, watermelon and feta

This refreshing dish, featuring summer watermelon, tart cheese, and meaty shrimp, looks simply incredible on toasted baguette slices.

Recipe: Watermelon, Feta, and Grilled Shrimp Salad

Burgers on lettuce leaves

Instead of buns, serve burgers (with a little bacon for extra flavor) on crispy lettuce wedges.

Recipe: A healthy burger without a bun

No-Bake Strawberry Mini Cheesecakes

This treat has all the elements of your favorite cheesecake, but you don't have to turn on the oven to make it.

Recipe: No-Oven Strawberry Mini Cheesecakes

Soft polenta with mascarpone

A generous helping of creamy mascarpone cheese makes the polenta incredibly rich.

Recipe: Soft polenta with mascarpone

Braised escarole with feta

This unusual Greek-style side dish is surprisingly easy to prepare.

Recipe: Braised Escarole with Feta

Portioned fruit pizzas

Ree tops homemade cookie crusts with cream cheese frosting and serves with a fruit platter. Everyone can customize their own pizza with the fruit they want. This dessert is perfect for sleepovers and any kids' events.

Recipe: Fruit pizzas for the kids' table

Banana muffins with cream cheese frosting

Giada's easy banana muffins are a great way to end a meal or start the day; they're equally delicious as dessert or breakfast.

Recipe: Banana muffins with cream cheese frosting

Chicken and Sesame Toast

The chicken pieces make this appetizer surprisingly filling.

Recipe: Chicken and Sesame Toast

Bean and Avocado Dip

Giada fuses Californian and Tuscan cuisine in this avocado and white bean dip.

Recipe: Avocado and White Bean Dip

Mac 'n' cheese with three cheeses

Ina's "grown-up" version of mac 'n' cheese is perfect for the holiday table and contains three wonderful types of cheese: cheddar, Roquefort, and Gruyere. Pretty good, huh?

Recipe: Mac and cheese with blue cheese

Lamb chops with lemon

Lamb chops sound fancy, but they're actually very quick and easy to prepare. A quick pan-fry is all it takes. Plus, your friends will definitely appreciate the elegant presentation on a large plate, like in this recipe.

Recipe: Pan-fried rack of lamb with lemon

Petit four on a baking sheet

Petit fours are miniature, exquisite, bite-sized sweets perfect for special occasions. While they can take hours to bake, you can make a basic pie on a baking sheet! They're wide enough to easily divide into multiple circles using a cookie cutter, yet thin enough for filling and layering.

Recipe: Petit fours

Affogato

What could be simpler (or more impressive) than this after-dinner treat? Simply pour a shot of espresso over vanilla ice cream and top with chocolate shavings and chopped nuts.

Recipe: Affogato