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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    23 Must-Try Dinner Party Recipes for Busy Hosts

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on May 16, 2024, updated October 1, 2024 - Leave a Comment

    If you're hosting a dinner party and feel overwhelmed by the thought of preparing a delicious meal, we've got you covered. These 23 recipes are perfect for busy hosts who want to impress their guests without spending hours in the kitchen. From appetizers to main courses and sides, this collection has something for everyone to enjoy.

    French Mustard Chicken

    French chicken in a sauce with bread in it.

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    Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons

    Prepare to fall madly in love with this Creamy Dreamy Mustard Chicken. It's a classic French dish that tastes outstanding, and is surprisingly easy to make.

    Get the recipe

    Walking Taco Casserole

    Walking taco casserole.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    Hosting a dinner party? This taco casserole is a simple and tasty dish that's great for busy evenings. Made with ground beef, salsa, and lots of cheese, it's a crowd-pleaser for gatherings or fast weeknight meals.

    Get the recipe

    Grilled Rosemary Shrimp

    Grilled Rosemary Shrimp
    Photo Credit: What a Girl Eats.

    Hosting a dinner party can be hectic, but these grilled rosemary shrimp are a great option for a delicious meal that won't stress you out. They're easy to make and packed with flavor, perfect for impressing your guests without spending hours in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Smashed Potatoes

    Smashed potatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    If you're hosting a dinner party and need a really quick dish, consider making these delicious Smashed Potatoes. They're easy to make with basic ingredients and turn out crispy and cheesy.

    Get the recipe

    Cod Piccata

    Cod piccata.
    Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons.

    This cod with a creamy piccata sauce is quick and tasty, ideal for busy evenings. It's ready in just 30 minutes and sure to be a hit with your family.

    Get the recipe

    Baked Brie

    Baked Brie.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    Hosting a dinner party? Try this tasty baked brie wrapped in puff pastry with roasted garlic and creamy brie - a sure hit with your guests!

    Get the recipe

    Ezme

    Acili ezme.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Hosting a dinner party and need a simple yet impressive dish? Try this Turkish sauce that's great for dipping bread or serving as part of a meze platter. It's a versatile recipe that'll make you feel like a pro chef without the hassle.

    Get the recipe

    Roasted Lemon Tahini Cauliflower

    Photo credit: Katie Trant.

    Hosting a dinner party can be hectic, but this recipe will help you serve up a delicious restaurant-style meal without the stress. It's a personal favorite that I enjoy making regularly for guests.

    Get the recipe

    Mexican Roasted Potatoes

    MExican. potatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Make delicious Mexican Potatoes in less than an hour for a quick and flavorful side dish. These crispy potatoes are seasoned with Mexican spices, garnished with lime and cilantro, and go great with a side of refreshing sauce or sour cream.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Carrots Vichy

    Carrots with parsley.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Hosting a dinner party and need a quick yet impressive dish? Check out this simple air fryer recipe for honey butter carrots - a tasty spin on a traditional French favorite.

    Get the recipe

    Sardine Pasta Bolognese

    Sardine Pasta Bolognese.
    Photo credit: Krumpli.

    This dish puts a fancy spin on traditional Bolognese pasta by adding sardines and a blend of sun-dried and fresh tomatoes, making it a tasty option for hosting dinner parties on hectic evenings.

    Get the recipe

    Vegan Tapenade

    Tapenade.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This tapenade recipe is a delicious appetizer that's quick to make and doesn't include anchovies, so it's perfect for everyone to enjoy. Simply spread it on top of crostini for a tasty and easy treat!

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Lamb With Garlic & Rosemary

    Slow Cooker Lamb With Garlic & Rosemary.
    Photo credit: Baking Queen 74.

    Hosting a dinner party and need a simple yet delicious dish? Try this flavorful garlic and rosemary slow cooker lamb recipe that will impress your guests without keeping you tied up in the kitchen all night.

    Get the recipe

    Cheesy Lemon-Caper Rice

    Cheesy Lemon-Caper Rice
    Photo Credit: Tried and True Recipe.

    Try this flavorful cheesy lemon-caper rice that you can easily adapt with whatever ingredients you have available.

    Get the recipe

    Sheet Pan Halloumi Tacos

    Halloumi tacos.
    Image credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    Hosting a dinner party and need a quick yet impressive dish? These halloumi tacos are a delicious option that won't keep you in the kitchen for long.

    Get the recipe

    Classic Guacamole

    Guacamole.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Hosting a dinner party? Make a tasty guacamole dip with fresh avocado, tomato, onion, and more. It's a quick and easy recipe that's ready in just 10 minutes.

    Get the recipe

    Asian Turkey Lettuce Wraps

    Asian Turkey Lettuce Wraps
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Hosting a dinner party can be hectic, but these lettuce wraps make it easy to serve up a tasty meal without the stress. Filled with fresh veggies and peanuts, they add a flavorful touch to your gathering.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Baby Potatoes

    Baby potatoes in a bowl.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    When you're hosting a dinner party and need a quick side dish, these crispy potatoes are perfect. They're seasoned with plenty of salt, similar to Canarian "Papas Arrugadas" potatoes.

    Get the recipe

    Mango and Grilled Shrimp

    Mango and Grilled Shrimp Appetizers
    Photo Credit: The Flavor Bender.

    Hosting a dinner party and need a quick yet impressive recipe? This dish combines juicy flavors with Asian spices, sweet mangos, and crackers to elevate your meal and impress your guests.

    Get the recipe

    Steak Bites

    Air fryer steak bites.
    Image credit: Sarah Cook

    Need a fast, very tasty dish? These steak bites are a great choice - they're quick to make and full of flavor, perfect for impressing your guests without spending hours in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Black Bean Burgers

    Black Bean Burgers.
    Photo credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    Hosting a dinner party? These Black Bean Burgers are easy to make, packed with healthy ingredients, and ideal for busy nights. They're gluten-free, vegan, full of protein, and absolutely delicious - a must-have recipe for any host.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Bell Peppers

    Air fryer bell peppers.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Whip up these flavorful Air Fryer Bell Peppers in less than 10 minutes. Sprinkled with garlic and thyme, they're a great side dish for any hectic evening.

    Get the recipe

    Jalapeño Popper Wontons

    Jalapeno popper wontons.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    Looking for a simple way to make jalapeño poppers that are packed with flavor? This recipe offers a convenient twist on the classic dish.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

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      22 No-Fuss Pasta Dinners That Almost Cook Themselves
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      24 Simple Crockpot Dinners That Get the Job Done
    • Hot honey garlic chicken.
      22 Dump-And-Cook Chicken Dinners That Will Change Your Weeknight Routine
    • Cheeseburger tater tot casserole.
      23 Hearty Ground Beef Dishes to Make When You’d Rather Not Cook

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has more than 20 years of experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN  and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, Daily Kos, The Grio, The Asian Parent, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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