Easy dinner party recipes (2024)

Whether you're looking for a slow-roasted centerpiece, shared platter, or easy finger food, we've got a recipe to help make hosting a dinner party a breeze. Try these dinner party main course ideas for fuss-free entertaining.

Easy dinner party recipes (1)

There’s something a little bit special about serving lamb rack at a dinner party – it’s such a great looking cut, so tender and loaded with flavour. And because it’s a small cut, it cooks quickly so you won’t be in the kitchen all afternoon preparing. Brillant.

Easy dinner party recipes (2)

Lamb Meatballs with Hummus

Spiced New Zealand Lamb Meatballs and Hummus are a perfect match. The soft and silky hummus combines beautifully with the flavoursome and juicy lamb. This surprisingly easy recipe is visually stunning and the definition of late summer dinner party perfection!

Easy dinner party recipes (3)

Slow Roasted Beef Short Ribs with Maple Butternut Mash

The oven puts in the hard yards here and the result is truly wonderous. A full flavour explosion, this dish is a meat-lover's dream come true. We've taken it up a notch with a fresh gremolata made with Italian parsley, mint, orange zest that helps cut through the richness of the beef.

Easy dinner party recipes (4)

The Best Lamb Wellingtons

Beef Wellington's smaller, tastier and far less intimidating cousin. Your guests will be gobsmacked when you serve this up to them - tender, perfectly cooked lamb rump with a tasty mushroom and herb coating, wrapped up in crispy, buttery pastry. And I promise you, it's so easy and uses everyday ingredients. Perfect for entertaining, or as a special treat!

Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf with Tamarind Glaze

A glam and super delicious meatloaf, wrapped in bacon and topped with a Tamarind Glaze. Add kumara and broccoli for a one-tray bake dinner or make your meatloaf the centre of a picnic feast, serving it with a salad of roast kumara and broccoli.

Easy dinner party recipes (6)

Soak up the balmy summer air and enjoy the company of friends and family whilst you barbecue. This recipe pairs the eye fillet with a colourful vegetable and couscous salad, drizzled with a punchy herb dressing.

Easy dinner party recipes (7)

Paprika Spiced Cutlets

Barbecue these lamb cutlets and top with a generous dollop of homemade smoked paprika mayonnaise, for the perfect starter.

Easy dinner party recipes (8)

Rare Beef and Roast Potato Stack with Horseradish Walnut Aioli

Rare beef, hot crispy potatoes, and nutty aioli that packs a punch to make a great little canape to get your party started too. Top bite-sized roast potato slices with a piece of beef, some slow-roasted tomato and the horseradish aioli

Easy dinner party recipes (9)

Slow Cooked Beef Bolar Roast with Smashed Potatoes

This slow cooked beef bolar roast is melt in your mouth deliciousness, with smashed garlic and sage potatoes it's perfect for a Sunday roast.

Use your slow cooker or a casserole dish in the oven for an easy 'prep and walk away' meal.

Steaks with Romesco Sauce

Use up the last of the late summer/early autumn tomatoes and peppers to make a batch of Romesco sauce for a tasty accompaniment to serve atop steaks. A popular Spanish sauce, there are many variations and this is ours. It's a great hassle-free option for a dinner party.

Easy dinner party recipes (11)

Rubbed Beef Fillet with Two Salsas

A recipe to spice up the traditional steaks on the barbecue. Both salsas complement the beef beautifully, yet offer very different combinations of flavour. We suggest keeping a jar of these on hand over the barbecue season - our guess is you'll be enjoying them on a range of meals!

Easy dinner party recipes (12)

Garlic, Red Wine and Rosemary Lamb Shoulder

The combination of smoky, succulent barbecued lamb along with the complimentary flavours and textures of garlic, red wine, and rosemary are very hard to beat.

Easy dinner party recipes (13)

Herb and Garlic Crusted Leg of Lamb

This herb-crusted leg of lamb is a deliciously impressive main course that is perfect for any special occasion. The lamb is roasted in a flavourful pool of garlic, and then topped with a crunchy crust. The result is a tender, juicy lamb that is bursting with flavour.

Easy dinner party recipes (14)

Slow Cooked Pulled Lamb

The shoulder has an incredible flavour, and cooking it on a low heat for a long time gives you beautifully tender meat that falls off the bone. Smothered in a rich gravy from the cooking juices, you’ll be in heaven with this meal. And the best part is it’s dead simple to make.

Easy dinner party recipes (15)

Rib Eye Steaks with Hot Smashed Potatoes

Surprise your guests with something a little more special than what you would normally barbecue. This is the ultimate recipe for when you want to impress without spending too long standing over the grill. Serve alongside smashed potatoes with aromatic rosemary and garlic to complement the beef perfectly.

Easy dinner party recipes (16)

Lamb Shoulder with Zesty Orzo Salad

This recipe is perfect for a dinner party. It uses a semi-boned lamb shoulder which you can ask your butcher for, or you can use a standard lamb shoulder which will give the same delicious result.

Easy dinner party recipes (17)

Sirloin on Seed Crackers with Horseradish Crème Fraiche

We love this combination of barbecued sirloin and horseradish crème fraiche. Serve on crisp seed crackers or store-bought blinis for a perfect starting platter.

Easy dinner party recipes (18)

Make this beautiful dish to impress at your next dinner party. The simple flavours marry together to give a rich and flavoursome sauce that will leave everyone wanting more.

Easy dinner party recipes (19)

Ragout on Pappardelle

Revive your taste buds with our easy to prepare ragout. With all the ingredients combined in a casserole dish, let the oven take care of the rest. Enjoy meltingly tender beef on-top of cooked pappardelle and sprinkled with thyme leaves.

Easy dinner party recipes (20)

Posted by Beef + Lamb New Zealand

Easy dinner party recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is a good dish to take to a dinner party? ›

Dinner party mains
  • One-pot chicken chasseur. A star rating of 4.8 out of 5. ...
  • Lamb biryani. A star rating of 4.6 out of 5. ...
  • Beef bourguignon with celeriac mash. ...
  • Mustard-stuffed chicken. ...
  • Goat's cheese & thyme stuffed chicken. ...
  • One-pan salmon with roast asparagus. ...
  • Butternut chilli. ...
  • Smoked salmon & lemon risotto.

What to cook for 20 guests? ›

19 Ideas For Easy Meals For Large Groups
  • Taco Bar. A taco bar is one of the best inexpensive meals for large groups. ...
  • Meatballs. ...
  • Butter Chicken. ...
  • Lasagna. ...
  • Chili. ...
  • Homemade Pizza. ...
  • Baked Pasta. ...
  • Skewers.
Apr 4, 2023

What not to bring to a dinner party? ›

Avoid scented items like flowers or scented candles (which aren't to everyone's tastes), and don't bring your own dish, which takes attention off the host's cooking. Arrive 15 minutes late, indulge your host's requests, and offer to help clean up in order to secure the invite to the next dinner party.

What to cook for dinner when nothing sounds good? ›

What to eat when nothing sounds good: 25 balanced meal ideas
  • Ham or turkey & cheese sandwich with a side of fruit.
  • Rotisserie chicken with frozen microwaveable rice and veggies.
  • “Adult Lunchable”: cheese, crackers, deli meat, raw fruits or veggies with dip.
  • Frozen chicken tenders or nuggets on top of a salad.
Jan 11, 2023

What to make when you have no time to cook? ›

So we rounded up our favorite easy weeknight dinner recipes you can make in just 15 minutes — from comforting pastas to hearty rice bowls.
  1. Sesame Garlic Ramen Noodles. ...
  2. Bacon Avocado Caesar Salad. ...
  3. Cacio e Pepe. ...
  4. 5-Ingredient Zucchini Noodles with Spicy Peanut Sauce. ...
  5. Italian Chopped Salad. ...
  6. Easiest Garlic Bread Pizza.
Nov 8, 2023

How to feed 30 people cheaply? ›

Cheap tricks for the best outdoor cookouts.
  1. 1 / 7. Hot Dog Snack Board. ...
  2. 2 / 7. No-Cook Dip and Veggie Summer Board. ...
  3. 3 / 7. Instant Pot Pulled Porchetta Sandwiches. ...
  4. 4 / 7. Chicken Caesar Salad Skewers. ...
  5. 5 / 7. Chopped BBQ Chicken Salad. ...
  6. 6 / 7. Fish Tacos. ...
  7. 7 / 7. Ice Cream Sandwiches for a Crowd.
Apr 19, 2023

How can I feed 50 guests cheap? ›

Feed the masses without breaking the bank with these budget-friendly dishes.
  1. Mexican Lasagne. A spicy lasagne for those of us who love Mexican and Italian food. ...
  2. Cheese Cob Dip. ...
  3. The Best Burger in Oz. ...
  4. Kangaroo Casserole. ...
  5. Sausage Casserole. ...
  6. Nanna's golden sausage casserole. ...
  7. Quiche Lorraine. ...
  8. Turkey and Pumpkin Lasagne.

How do you throw a last minute dinner party? ›

Stock essentials at home. It's easier to invite people over at the last minute if you don't have to shop for supplies. Keep a running inventory of foods that can be brought out at a moment's notice, such as items that may go on a charcuterie platter.

What is a good side dish to bring to a party? ›

These quick and easy side dishes are serious crowd-pleasers.
  • Sarah's Rice Pilaf.
  • Bombay Potatoes.
  • Bacon-Wrapped Green Beans.
  • Buttery Cooked Carrots.
  • Pesto Pasta Caprese Salad.
  • Asparagus with Cranberries and Pine Nuts.
  • Yellow Squash Casserole.
  • Garlicky Potatoes.
Jul 26, 2019

What are some common side dishes? ›

  • Calabrian Chili Orzo with Vegetables.
  • Garlic Mashed Cauliflower.
  • Cornbread Taco Bake.
  • Caprese Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms.
  • Steamed Bok Choy.
  • Roasted Asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce.
  • Chili Oil Smashed Potatoes.
  • Smashed Broccoli with Cheese.

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