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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
Paprika Spiced Cutlets
Barbecue these lamb cutlets and top with a generous dollop of homemade smoked paprika mayonnaise, for the perfect starter.
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
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Potatoes, pasta, and rice are all examples of starchy foods that are very commonly eaten for dinner, however, Tracee, a health coach and personal trainer for HighEnergyGirl, said that "these foods simply metabolize down to sugar and create elevated blood sugar and insulin.
Fill guests in on the plans when they arrive — when dinner should be ready, who else is coming and where the bathroom is. As the host, you set the tone for the evening. Guests will feel your tension, so if you aren't relaxed, guests will feel tense and unwelcome. Make sure everyone is comfortable.
Perhaps you and your three best friends haven't seen each other in ages, and you want to really take the time to catch up. Keep it at four, and you'll be able to keep everyone well within earshot for some intimate discussions. A six person dinner party will upgrade your evening from cozy to chatty.
Introduction: My name is Clemencia Bogisich Ret, I am a super, outstanding, graceful, friendly, vast, comfortable, agreeable person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
