12 Fancy Main Course Dinner Party Recipes 2023 from around the web. This collection of dinner party recipes features seafood, poultry, meat, and vegetarian main dishes. Most can be made-ahead, and all are crowd-pleasers. Everyone will want an invitation to your next dinner party!
Do you love having guests over for dinner? For me, preparing a special meal for family or friends is a way to bring everyone together around the dinner table and show my love or appreciation for them. But in a selfish way, it’s also an excuse to cook something a little extra fancy than normal. Not like I need an excuse—my blog is all about recipes for special dinners, after all.
PAN-SEARED SCALLOPS WITH CHORIZO
While this scallop recipe from Carolyn at Umami Girl shouldn’t be made in advance, it takes literally 10 minutes to cook. I love how scallop dishes can be so fancy, for so little work. The smoky flavor from Spanish chorizo goes great with sweet briny scallops. It’s like a sophisticated version of bacon-wrapped scallops, and you get to enjoy it as the main dish, not just an appetizer!
BAKED SALMON IN ROSE CREAM SAUCE
Baked salmon can be bland diet food, or it can be a luxuriously rich showstopping dinner, like this salmon in rose cream sauce from Julia at Vikalinka. I love the added touch of pink peppercorns in the sauce. I would probably prepare the salmon up until baking before guests arrive, then bake during a salad course.
BAKED LOBSTER RAVIOLI – LEMON BUTTER CREAM SAUCE
Homemade pasta can be daunting, but this recipe from Lisa at Delicious Table makes it easy. The recipes uses wonton wrappers, and the ravioli are baked, not boiled. The lemon butter cream sauce is just made for lobster, and the heart-shaped ravioli cutter is too cute! I would prepare the ravioli in advance and then bake and make the sauce right before serving.
SHRIMP SCAMPI WITH PASTA
This buttery garlicky shrimp scampi recipe from Eden at Sweet Tea & Thyme takes only 15 minutes to cook. Eden’s recipe is chock full of tips to help even a more novice chef prepare this dish with ease. I’m thinking Caesar salad and garlic bread, and for guests who ask what to bring – a dry white wine.
SAGE BUTTER SEARED SCALLOPS
I know I already included a scallop recipe in this round-up, but I love scallops too much to choose only one. This recipe, from Genevieve at She Keeps a Lovely Home pairs scallops seared in sage butter with a rich and creamy basmati rice made with brie and roasted garlic. You can prepare the rice in advance and just cook the scallops right before serving. There are appetizer and dessert suggestions with this recipe too.
CHICKEN MARBELLA WITH BONELESS THIGHS
With sweet and salty flavors from prunes and olives, this dish from Nancy at A Communal Table brings baked chicken to a new level. Prep the day before to let the chicken marinate overnight, then pop it in the oven while you sip cocktails with your guests.
DUCK CONFIT WITH ROASTED RHUBARB
You guys know how much I like duck – I already have two duck breast recipes on my blog. This recipe for duck legs confit from Nicky at Kitchen Sanctuary caught my attention right away. I love the colors on the plate from the roasted rhubarb, and the duck skin looks so crispy. Even better, much of the prep can be done in advance.
ITALIAN CHICKEN WITH CAPERS AND CHERRY TOMATO
James at Sip and Feast writes that he’s scaled up this recipe to use 10 pounds of chicken when cooking for a crowd, and it’s easy to see why. This versatile chicken recipe would be delicious over pasta or rice, and that sauce is just begging for some crusty bread. I love how this dish packs in flavor with simple, easy-to-find ingredients. Sip and Feast also has a lot of drink recipes if you’re looking for some cocktails to serve before dinner.
ROMA STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS
A stuffing is a great way to upgrade boneless skinless chicken breasts. This recipe from Lisa at Garlic & Zest uses ricotta and parmesan cheese, mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and thyme to up the flavor ante. The buttery breadcrumb coating is the icing on the cake. I would probably prep the chicken in advance and get it into the oven just before sitting down for a salad course.
CRISPY VEAL CUTLETS WITH CREAMY DIJON SAUCE
These veal cutlets from Shelby at Grumpy’s Honeybunch are gourmet comfort food at its finest. The creamy dijon sauce and crispy fried shallots add that extra wow factor. You can prep the veal cutlets in advance and then fry right before serving.
ROASTED LAMB CHOPS
Most people don’t cook lamb at home very often, which makes these roasted lamb chops from Marissa at Pinch and Swirl a real treat for your dinner guests. The mustard and herb paste is key to the recipe’s flavor. Prep the lamb in advance and bake while you eat your first course.
PORK WELLINGTON PORT WINE SAUCE
This recipe from Patty at Patty Saveurs can be made in advance and then baked right before serving. Chopped mushrooms keep the pork tenderloin from drying out and boost the dish’s flavor. And the port wine sauce sounds amazing.
