Easy dinner party mains

Planning a dinner party can be exciting but also daunting. If you’re not sure what to cook, take the faff out of entertaining with our simple recipes. These delicious main course ideas are all easy to assemble and cook. Some can be made ahead, some are quick to prepare on the night – and all of them offer maximum flavour for minimum effort.

Take your pick from classic dinner party ideas like creamy risottos, fishcakes, venison, pork and lamb. Choose from elevated chicken traybakes, a whole sea bass with a tomato sauce or homemade gnocchi. You’ll also find plenty of vegetarian and vegan dinner party mains, which are impressive enough to feed the whole gang.

Need help deciding on what to serve with your lasagne or looking for ideas for a full menu? We’ve pulled together dozens of dinner party menus, from vegetarian to seasonal and festive options.

For those nights when hosting isn’t on the cards, check out our easy midweek dinner recipes.

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Roasted hake with salsa verde and clams

Healthy dinners

Roasted hake with salsa verde and clams

Serve roasted hake with clams and a herby pan sauce in this easy but impressive recipe from Rosie Mackean. Perfect for summer entertaining. 

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Paella verde (vegan green paella)

Paella

Paella verde (vegan green paella)

Learn how to make a vegan paella with this easy recipe from Spanish chef Omar Allibhoy. It's packed with artichokes, spinach and courgettes.

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Ham, egg and chips

Chips

Ham, egg and chips

Ham, egg and chips with a twist is an laid-back dinner party winner. Think sour cherry glaze, perfect egg and homemade chips.

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Mussels in ginger, coconut and red chilli broth

Mussels

Mussels in ginger, coconut and red chilli broth

These fragrant mussels in ginger, coconut and red chilli broth, from cookbook Indian Kitchens by Roopa Gulati, make a simple but elegant dish.

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Blonde ragù pasta bake with prosciutto (nidi di tagliatelle al forno)

Pasta bakes

Blonde ragù pasta bake with prosciutto (nidi di tagliatelle al forno)

Swap out lasagne for this sophisticated yet satisfying blonde ragù pasta bake with prosciutto (nidi di tagliatelle al forno) by Rosie Mackean.

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Chicken marbella

Favourite chicken

Chicken marbella

Learn how to make 1980s favourite chicken marbella with our easy recipe. This chicken traybake is packed with olives, prunes and capers.

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Picanha steak with parmesan fonduta, radicchio, anchovies and shallots

Impressive recipes for a special occasion

Picanha steak with parmesan fonduta, radicchio, anchovies and shallots

Tender and juicy picanha steak is cooked to perfection and served with creamy parmesan potatoes and a peppery radicchio and anchovy salad.

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Crab and prawn pot pies with chips and salad

Pies

Crab and prawn pot pies with chips and salad

Rosie Mackean's luxurious crab and prawn pot pies make the perfect main for a laid-back dinner party, served with chips and a zingy salad.

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Chicken braised in vinho verde with romesco potatoes

Easy dinner party mains

Chicken braised in vinho verde with romesco potatoes

This dinner party main will transport you to the Iberian Peninsula. Serve chicken braised in Portugal's vinho verde with romesco potatoes.

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Fragrant roast monkfish with green curry beurre blanc and crispy noodles

Monkfish

Fragrant roast monkfish with green curry beurre blanc and crispy noodles

Roast monkfish, served with green-curry beurre blanc and topped with crispy noodles, is a dinner party main with real wow factor.

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Classic saltimbocca

Easy dinner party mains

Classic saltimbocca

Italian saltimbocca sees thin tender slices of veal wrapped in sage leaves and prosciutto and served with a white wine pan sauce.

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Chicken alfredo

Creamy pasta

Chicken alfredo

Creamy and rich with a hint of garlic and dried herbs, this easy chicken alfredo pasta is the ultimate in Italian-American comfort food.

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Fennel tarte tatin

Fennel

Fennel tarte tatin

This fennel tarte tatin is a great vegetarian dinner or side for a roast. Fennel seeds temper the sweetness and goat’s cheese adds tang.

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Chicken thighs in a mustard, tarragon and grape pan sauce

Chicken thighs

Chicken thighs in a mustard, tarragon and grape pan sauce

The sauce is the star of this easy bistro dish, made using all those delicious brown bits from the bottom of the pan for buckets of flavour.

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Atul Kochhar’s lamb pepper fry

Lamb curries

Atul Kochhar’s lamb pepper fry

Atul Kochhar's Keralan lamb pepper fry is flavoured with curry leaves, cloves and plenty of black pepper. It's ready in just 30 minutes.

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Braised chicken with kefir, orzo and dried limes

One-pot chicken

Braised chicken with kefir, orzo and dried limes

An easy chicken dinner with big flavour. Tender braised chicken and toothsome orzo mingle in a tangy kefir sauce in this elegant one-pot.

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