Don’t settle for the same boring meal when you can make delicious dinners for your friends and family with these great Dinner Party Ideas!
Whether it’s an intimate gathering, or something on a more grand scale, plan the perfect dinner party that friends and family won’t soon forget.
We have some great get together meal ideas like easy tacos, casseroles, kebobs, pastas, stews and much more to wow your guests with simple, easy to follow recipes.
Go through all these dinner party ideas, because tonight is the night to serve up something special!
Dinner Party Ideas:
1. Greek Steak Gyros
Guys, meet the best party contender: Greek Steak Gyros, which is your new and epic handheld delicacy.
This fun recipe is effortless to make with perfectly marinated tender strips of steaks and your favorite gyros fixings loaded inside pita bread.
Simply enjoy the most flavorful Gyros ever.
2. Birria Tacos
These Birria Tacos are one of the most delicious party foods you will ever serve!
You and your guests will enjoy each and every bite of these crunchy, cheesy, melty, and meaty tacos, which are dunked in delicious Birria consommé.
These are definitely not just your regular tacos!
3. Kofta Kebab
Are you keeping a Middle Eastern theme for your next party? Then this Kofta Kebab recipe is a must to add to your menu!
These juicy and perfectly flavored kebabs will just melt in your mouth. Jazz them up with some fresh salads with tzatziki, saffron rice, and pita bread.
It’s the most delicious platter which everyone will simply devour.
4. Shrimp Korma
Make the most authentic Shrimp Korma at home with this splendid recipe!
You will love the fantastically balanced flavors, smooth textures, and tender shrimp, which are braised to perfection. Just follow this easy recipe to create a masterpiece.
5. Lowcountry Shrimp and Grits
We have taken shrimp and grits to a whole new level of deliciousness with this Lowcountry Shrimp and Grits recipe!
The juicy shrimp and andouille sausage with mouth-watering creamy and savory gravy, all atop cheesy grits will be totally a super hit dish at your dinner party.
6. Taco Casserole
Convert your favorite tacos into delicious comfort food with our Taco Casserole recipe.
This first-class recipe is amazingly easy to make with all the Mexican fixings and flavors. You can easily feed a large crowd with this outstanding cheesy, oozy dish.
7. Keftedes (Greek Meatballs)
These gorgeous Keftedes are sure to be the star attraction at your next get-together!
This Greek version of meatballs is super flavorful with a slightly crispy texture that you will totally love. You can serve it as a mezze platter with other tasty ingredients, and make a fancy treat for everyone.
8. Harissa Shrimp
Give your taste buds some new, bold, and exotic experiences with this Harissa Shrimp recipe!
The perfectly cooked juicy shrimp in smoky, zesty flavors will be a winner with your guests. It’s super easy to make this stunning dish too.
9. Chicken Cacciatore
Make this magical Chicken Cacciatore at home. You will truly enjoy every bite of this superbly braised chicken with veggies, herbs, and wine.
The next time you crave Italian, you know what to make for dinner.
10. Pollo Asado
Give your chicken a Latin makeover with this stunning Pollo Asado recipe! It is going to be your new party favorite dish.
It has perfectly balanced Latin spices and flavors, and you can cook it on stove top, roast, or grill, the choice is yours.
11. Pasta Primavera with Shrimp
Pasta Primavera with Shrimp will completely satisfy all your pasta cravings with its delicious and light flavors.
The creamy sauce with lots of veggies and juicy shrimp are like a match made in heaven combination.
12. Jamaican Style Pepper Steak
Surprise your guests with this mind-blowing Jamaican Style Pepper Streak.
This easy and delicious steak is cooked in a fantastic savory and aromatic sauce with colorful bell peppers. It’s a flavorful Jamaican twist to your favorite beef.
13. Japchae (Korean Glass Noodle Stir Fry)
Do you love to experiment with your party food? Then this Japchae is the ultimate recipe for you to try for your future party!
This Korean delicacy is a sweet potato glass noodle stir fry with lots of veggies, juicy beef strips, and well-balanced japchae sauce.
It’s a totally addictive and different meal to serve to your family and friends.
14. Steak Tacos
These Steak Tacos are going to be the newest addition to your dinner party menu.
Tender, juicy steak piled high in tortillas with all of your favorite toppings. What could be better than that?
They’re a super easy meal the whole family will love!
15. Cheesy Tortellini Bake
Enjoy this Cheesy Tortellini Bake with everyone. It’s the most comforting, cheesy, and meaty pasta bake you will ever taste.
It is super easy to make and gets on your table in no time. So when you crave some pasta, don’t forget to make this impressive dish.
16. Greek Moussaka
Give yourself a delicious treat with this glorious Greek Moussaka!
This Middle Eastern recipe just melts in your mouth deliciously. Perfectly layered eggplant and ground meat is cooked in spiced tomato sauce. With a final layer of béchamel sauce, it’s just finger-licking tasty.
17. Caldo de Res (Mexican Beef & Vegetable Soup)
Enjoy some cozy Latin flavors with this terrific Caldo de Res, a super flavorful Mexican beef and veggie soup.
Your whole family will love this one-pot meal that is super satisfying and filling. Just enjoy the deliciousness…
18. Cochon de Lait (Cajun Pulled Pork)
Now, this Cochon de Lait will definitely make an entry on your favorite sandwich-filling recipes!
This crockpot dish will deliver this melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork with outstanding Cajun flavors. It’s a super easy, super delicious, and totally crowd-pleasing dish.
19. Clam Linguine (Linguine alle Vongole)
Clam Linguine, or Linguine alle Vongole, is an elegant restaurant quality dish. But don’t be intimidated, it’s super easy to make.
It’s a gorgeous, yet light, pasta in a lemony, garlicky wine sauce. This is one of those dishes that is easy enough for any weeknight, yet impressive enough for special occasions.
20. Greek Chicken Souvlaki
Chicken Souvlaki is the most famous Greek street food, and you can easily make it at home with this sensational recipe!
The magical marinade makes this bite-size chicken completely drool-worthy. It’s the best appetizer to add to your Greek night dinner.
21. Carne Guisada (Latin Beef Stew)
Are you a stew lover? Then you have to try our best flavor explosion stew recipe, Carne Guisada.
It’s a Latin Beef Stew that will amaze your guests with it’s layers of rich flavor. Big time YUM!
22. Jambalaya Pasta (Pastalaya)
Make a memorable pasta dish in Louisiana style with this Jambalaya Pasta recipe!
This meal’s hero ingredients are chicken, shrimp, and sausage, all smothered in the most delicious, creamy, and cheesy sauce. It’s a classic and comforting dinner that you all will relish…
23. Flank Steak Fajitas
Make a fun dinner for your family and friends with our effortless Flank Steak Fajitas recipe.
This delicious meal is made with perfectly marinated steak strips, along with colorful bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, cilantro, and avocado.
You can serve it as the best platter for any dinner party.
24. Portuguese Mussels (Moules à la Portugaise)
Make the most elegant and delectable mussels ever in Portuguese style.
This incredible recipe is amazingly easy to make, and it’s a perfect way to celebrate any of your special occasions. So what are you waiting for?
25. Crockpot Tuscan Chicken
Our Crockpot Tuscan Chicken is going to be your new favorite dinner. Its classic Italian flavors and stunning ingredients all cook perfectly in the crockpot.
It’s a must-try recipe when you crave something delicious with hearty flavors.
26. Shrimp Saganaki (Greek Shrimp with Tomatoes & Feta)
Yet another smashing recipe to add to your Mediterranean themed party is this tantalizing Shrimp Saganaki!
This one-skillet recipe is all about plump and juicy shrimp cooked in a delicious garlicky tomato sauce topped with some feta cheese.
Serve this classy dish with some crusty bread or add it to your favorite mezze platter.
27. Tacos Gobernador
Take your tacos to another level of deliciousness with our knockout recipe, Tacos Gobernador!
It’s a cross between tacos and quesadilla, but every bite is cheesy, messy, and shrimpy bliss. If you really want to wow your guest, then this is the best taco recipe to try.
28. Steak Gorgonzola Flatbread
Make your flatbread super interesting and super delicious with our super hit recipe, Steak Gorgonzola Flatbread!
The fantastic combination of ingredients will create the best flavors. It’s a great option to serve for your special occasions or parties.
29. Mediterranean Chicken Skillet
Give this classic Mediterranean Chicken Skillet a try at your next get-together, and be ready for all rave reviews!
This drool-worthy dish is full of flavors and hearty ingredients that make it an out of this word stunner.
30. Spanish Clams with Chorizo
If you’re a fan of tapas, then you are in for a delicious treat with our Spanish Clams with Chorizo recipe!
This extravaganza dish is perfect impress your crowd. Try it to believe it!
31. Steak Pizzaiola
Steak Pizzaiola will certainly make an entry onto your favorite Italian dishes repertoire!
Your favorite meat is cooked in a classic pizza sauce that creates the best rustic dish, which you will totally get addicted to. A simple and mind-blowing dish that will please everyone.
It’s one of our favorite dinner party ideas.
32. Baja Fish Tacos
Another handheld delicacy to try this weekend is our magnificent Baja Fish Taco recipe!
You will seriously love every bite of this taco, which is loaded with perfectly fried beer-battered fish, pico de gallo, avocados, and chipotle mayo. It’s just too yummy.
33. Eggplant Parmesan
Planning a meatless night? Then do consider our irresistible Eggplant Parmesan recipe, you will completely fall in love with!
It has favorite Italian flavors made in the most comforting way. It’s too good!
34. Cajun Shrimp Scampi
Make a restaurant-quality dish at home, and save a lot of money, with our classic Cajun Shrimp Scampi recipe!
The butter, garlicky, lemony, white wine sauce topped with parsley and parmesan will totally jazz up your beloved shrimp to top-notch.
35. Gambas al Ajillo (Spanish Garlic Shrimp)
Yet another dazzling tapas dish that will be a super hit on any occasion is this Gambas al Ajillo!
It’s an elegant dish that looks pretty and tastes insanely delicious, and it’s super easy to make too. You will love to see all the happy and content faces.
36. Baked Salmon with Mango Salsa
Are you craving a fancy and healthy meal? Don’t worry, we have you covered with our Baked Salmon with Salsa recipe!
You will love this flaky, buttery and perfectly baked salmon with vibrant mango salsa it tastes absolutely blissful.
37. Mediterranean Braised Chicken with Apricots
Now, this Mediterranean Braised Chicken with Apricots is brimming with flavors and can be the showstopper dish at your future dinner party!
This awesome recipe is all about braising chicken in red wine along with some herbs, apricots, and Mediterranean spices. It’s the ultimate chicken dish.
38. Grillades ‘n’ Grits
Throwing a dinner party for your loved ones? Then, add these Grillades ‘n’ Grits and see it become everyone’s favorite.
This creole classic is meat simmered in tomato gravy and then served over creamy, cheesy grits. It’s just a heavenly combination.
39. Chicken Provençal (Poulet à la Provençal)
Chicken Provençal will be a game-changer recipe for when you want to make something classy!
You will love this French treat, which is full of delicious ingredients and flavors that will completely satisfy your taste buds. This is a must-try recipe when you want something different and delicious.
40. Mediterranean Fish with Tomato and Olive Tapenade
We are ending our exceptional list of Dinner Party Ideas with the unforgettably delicious Mediterranean Fish with Tomato and Olive Tapenade recipe!
This straightforward and healthy fish dinner is perfect to wow your crowd!
We hope you enjoy these delicious Dinner Party Ideas as much as we do. There’s such a big variety, it’s hard to pick a favorite!
Check out these other great recipe collections!
Friday Night Dinners
Potluck Recipe Ideas
Taco Recipes
Pizza Recipes
Flatbread Recipes
Meatball Recipes
Soup Recipes
Pasta Recipes
Kabob Recipes
40 BEST Dinner Party Ideas
This collection of easy Dinner Party Ideas includes a huge variety of delicious dishes that are sure to wow your guests.
Ingredients
- 3 Tbsp oil
- 6 bone in, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 6 cloves garlic, chopped
- 2 small bell peppers (any color), diced
- 1 carrot, diced
- 8oz mushrooms, sliced
- 8-10 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 Tbsp fresh parsley
- 2 Tbsp fresh basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 cup red wine
- 28oz crushed tomatoes
- 2 Tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 tsp red chili flakes
- 1 cup black olives
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat oil in a dutch over over medium high heat. Generously season chicken with salt and pepper, then sear in the preheated pot for 5-6 minutes per side. Remove to a plate.
- In the same pot, add in onion, sauté 5 minutes.
- Add bell peppers, carrots, mushrooms, garlic and herbs. Cook for 7-8 minutes.
- Add wine, deglaze the pot, cook for 5 minutes.
- Add in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste and red chili flakes. Cook for 5 minutes.
- Return the chicken to the pot, along with olives. Cover, reduce heat to medium low, and cook 45 minutes to an hour, or until chicken is fall off the bone tender. (Alternately, you can bake the Cacciatore, covered, for 1 hour at 375°F)
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves. Serve and enjoy.
Welcome to GypsyPlate! I'm Alpana, former wordwide tour manager and professional caterer, now full time blogger. I love exploring cuisines from around the world, and my recipes have been featured on sites such as MSN, Parade, Brit + Co, CNET and AOL. You can explore my entire collection of sortable recipes in my Recipe Index or learn more about me here.
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Hi Alpana,
These dinner party ideas are a true feast for the senses! From Greek Steak Gyros to Cajun Shrimp Scampi, your guests will appreciate these scrumptious and impressive recipes.