I love hosting dinner parties. It was something my husband and I started doing earlier last year on a near weekly basis.
It was fun planning out the dinner party menu and getting things ready for a relaxing night of entertaining. And our evening get-togethers weren’t as complicated as I thought they might be. In fact, it was pretty simple to start dinner party hosting. I just needed to prep certain dishes in advance and find recipes that felt a bit elegant.
And if you’re about to host your own dinner party and you’re serving a crowd or an intimate gathering, there are so many dinner party recipes that’ll make things feel elevated.
So if you’re looking for some special occasion-worthy menu ideas for a dinner party or some simple dishes for a casual weeknight gathering, then this list of dinner party meals has got you covered.
Oysters Rockefeller
Oysters Rockefeller is one of the best dinner party-worthy dishes you can make. It’s easy, great for an evening crowd, and it’s basically just elevated comfort food.
It feels old money while staying simple and approachable.
Cooking Notes: I served mine with a simple pasta dish which turned out to be the perfect pairing. And when it comes to the recipe, I didn’t add the spinach and I just used panko bread crumbs instead of making my own.
GET THE RECIPEChicken Tinga Tacos
I feel like this is the perfect dinner party meal for the al fresco dining season. It’s vibrant, garlicky, savory, tangy, and rich from the chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. Also, it’s just 20 minutes which means you have more time to make cold, refreshing drinks and maybe a colorful citrusy dessert.
GET THE RECIPECreamy Chicken and Gnocchi
This hearty, warming, and creamy chicken and gnocchi is great for a fall gathering, cozy girls’ nights, and winter dinner parties. It’s creamy, has tangy sun-dried tomatoes, aromatic shallots, and it’s topped with parmesan (if desired). It’s one of those dinner party menu ideas you pair with really good crusty bread (maybe sourdough?) and enjoy with really good company.
GET THE RECIPESteak Fajitas
If you’re looking for a good recipe for serving dinner to a crowd, then steak fajitas are your answer. They’re versatile which means they’re perfect for warm-weather entertaining or cozy dinner party vibes. Also, in my opinion, they can be served with so a many different side dishes. So think hot, steaming rice, polenta, or spiced, pan-fried tortillas.
GET THE RECIPEBoursin Appetizer With Pistachios and Honey
When it comes to starters, presentation matters, and this garlicky, herby cheese appetizer absolutely nails it. With hot honey, pistachios, and apples or crackers for serving, it’s great for entertaining a crowd. And if you’re looking for elegant dinner party menu ideas that don’t require a ton of effort, then this is for you.
GET THE RECIPECaviar Platter
This might just be one of my favorite dinner party ideas on this list. It gives Martha Stewart vibes, feels elevated, and isn’t too heavy. So if you’re looking for something on the lighter side that also feels a bit special, then this caviar platter might be great for your gathering.
GET THE RECIPEThai Shrimp Curry With Crispy Shallots
This is for those warmer summer dinner parties when you wanna serve seafood, but you’re not feeling like fish, lobster, or oysters. Also, there’s something that feels so bright and fresh about this Thai-inspired shrimp dish. With lime, red curry, aromatics, Thai basil, brown sugar, tangy fish sauce, and a topping of crispy shallots, this is a great dinner party recipe to serve outdoors and enjoy with good friends.
GET THE RECIPECreamy Pesto Chicken With Roasted Tomatoes
This is one of my personal favorites. It’s restaurant-quality, creamy, herby, tangy, bright, hearty, and perfect for nearly any time of the year. Just make sure to pair this dinner party recipe with Parmigiano Reggiano, freshly cracked pepper, and some chili flakes for a bit of heat.
GET THE RECIPECrispy Rice Salad With Cucumbers and Herbs
I honestly feel like this is the perfect summer salad for entertaining outdoors. It’s fresh, crunchy (obviously), herby, tangy, garlicky, sweet, and savory. Also, something sounds so dinner party-worthy and satisfying about crispy rice that’s been seasoned with Thai red curry and a nice topping of crunchy peanuts to finish things off.
GET THE RECIPECioppino
Hailing from San Francisco, this Italian-American stew is hearty, savory, rich, and pairs well with sourdough bread. Also, I don’t think anyone at your dinner party is going to leave hungry. It has mussels, shrimp, crab, scallops, and cod for the seafood base. Also, with white wine, spices, herbs, and tangy tomatoes, this dish might just have your guests asking for the recipe.
GET THE RECIPEBaked Tortellini With Sausage
If you’re craving something savory, tangy, and cheesy for your gathering, then this is your answer. It has satisfying tortellini and pairs well with garlic bread. Also, if it’s a cold night, then I think this might just hit the spot!
GET THE RECIPEBirria Tacos
These birria tacos are perfect for enjoying family-style. You prep and cook, bring them out, and everyone can serve themselves up and enjoy. Also, if you like slow cooked beef with corn tortillas that have been dipped in savory beef grease, fried, and topped with said beef and cheese, then this is the dinner party recipe for you.
GET THE RECIPEHoney Chipotle Chicken Skewers
For your summery dinner parties on hot evenings, I present to you these smoky, sweet honey chipotle chicken skewers. Cook in an air fryer or on the grill and in 20 minutes, this dish will be ready for your get-together.
GET THE RECIPERicotta Flat Bread
This is the perfect dish for when you’re having dinner al fresco with good drinks, good sides, and good company on a warm evening. It’s light, savory, a bit sweet, and great for feeding a crowd.
Cooking Tip: The recipe creator suggested homemade or store-bought pizza dough, so I’m just gonna throw Trader Joe’s garlic and herb pizza dough out there. It’s pre-made and tastes amazing.
GET THE RECIPEPeach Salad
If you’re looking for more sweet, refreshing salads for a gathering during the warmer months, then this peach salad with mint, shallots, fresh cucumber, and zesty lime is the for you. It’s nice to enjoy during the summer and of course it’ll look amazing on your table.
GET THE RECIPECaramelized Onion Parmesan Pasta
Another personal recommendation! It’s creamy, cheesy, savory, a bit sweet, rich, and perfectly addictive. I honestly feel like this is probably the best pasta recipe I’ve ever made, and that’s not an exaggeration.
Cooking Notes: Make sure to add extra parmesan, I promise it’s necessary. Also, the recipe calls for chili crisp, but I made it without and it still tasted amazing. 👌
GET THE RECIPESpicy Shrimp Tacos With Garlic Cilantro Lime Slaw
Does this feel like more of a summer recipe? Yes. But does it sound good no matter what time of the year it is? Also yes. It’s spicy, savory shrimp, cotija cheese, creamy avocado, garlic cilantro lime sauce, and zesty slaw all wrapped up into a corn tortilla.
Cooking Tip: Try quickly pan frying the tortillas in a bit of oil and spice of your choice. It makes things extra crispy and flavorful.
GET THE RECIPEArepas
I love arepas. Is that an exaggeration? No. They’re so satisfyingly thick and can be topped or stuffed with so many different delicious ingredients. And this recipe definitely looks make-worthy for nearly any dinner party situation. It has black beans, cheese, carnitas (or chipotle chicken), a zesty green sauce, sautéed sweet potato, and other good ingredients.
GET THE RECIPEWhipped Feta With Roasted Tomatoes
I feel like this is the perfect recipe to make for when you want Napa Valley vibes and you’re serving an amazing spread. Also, it’s hard to mess up zesty, roasted tomatoes, garlicky, creamy goat cheese, and crispy crostinis and pita bread. It’s an obvious crowd-pleaser.
GET THE RECIPEArancini
If you wanna be extra, then Italian arancini is your answer. It’s creamy cheese and risotto balls that have been breaded and fried until golden brown. And if you’re looking for a dinner party appetizer that’s satisfying and feels a bit cozy, then this is perfect for your menu.
GET THE RECIPE
Grace Moser is the author and founder of Chasing Foxes, where she writes articles to help women create a life they love in big and small ways. She's been a full-time traveler since 2016 and loves sharing her experiences and exploring the world with her husband, Silas. Her lifestyle and travel advice can also be seen on sites such as Business Insider, Glamour, Newsweek, Huffpost, & Apartment Therapy.