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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    32 Delicious Dinner Ideas to Make Your New Year's Eve Unforgettable

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on December 27, 2024, updated December 16, 2024 - Leave a Comment

    As New Year's Eve approaches, it's the perfect time to plan a memorable dinner that will impress your guests and set the tone for the year ahead. From cozy comfort foods to elegant dishes, there are plenty of options to make your celebration special. Here are 32 great dinner ideas that will help you create a festive atmosphere and delicious meals to ring in the new year.

    Lemony Olive Oil Tortellini

    Lemony Olive Oil Tortellini on a plate.
    Photo Credit: Masala Herb.

    This tortellini dish is easy to prepare and packed with flavor. It's tossed in a skillet with lemon, garlic, basil, and olive oil for a delicious meal.

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    Caprese Orzo Pasta Salad

    Caprese Orzo Pasta Salad.
    Photo credit: Piping Pot Curry.

    Caprese Orzo Pasta Salad is a bright and tasty dish featuring orzo pasta, grape tomatoes, mozzarella, and fresh basil. It's simple to prepare and great for a potluck or dinner party.

    Get the recipe

    Puff Pastry Pizza with Blue Cheese & Apples

    Puff Pastry Pizza with Blue Cheese & Apples.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Puff Pastry Pizza is a simple and tasty option for pizza night, featuring a mix of salty, savory, and slightly sweet flavors. Topped with mild blue cheese, sliced red apples, green asparagus, and crunchy kale chips, this dish is great for dinner, appetizers, or snacks.

    Get the recipe

    Pesto Chicken Pasta

    A plate of pesto chicken pasta.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This dish transforms ordinary chicken breasts with delicious basil pesto, rich heavy cream, and zesty balsamic vinegar. It's an easy way to elevate a simple meal and impress your family and friends.

    Get the recipe

    Cherry Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Walnuts

    15-Minute Cherry Tomato Pasta with Spinach and Walnuts
    Photo credit: always use butter

    This 15-minute pasta is a quick and easy dish that packs a lot of flavor. It's great on its own, but adding some mozzarella or burrata cheese takes it to the next level.

    Get the recipe

    Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

    Garlic butter shrimp pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta is a quick and tasty dish that brings together juicy shrimp, perfectly cooked pasta, and a rich garlic butter sauce. This is a great meal for busy nights when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Stuffed with Feta Cheese

    Feta stuffed chicken.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Chicken filets topped with Feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and basil create a delicious dish that's perfect for your New Year's Eve dinner. This is a great option to impress your guests without putting in too much effort.

    Get the recipe

    Surf and Turf Foil Packs

    Surf and turf in foil packs.
    Photo Credit: XOXOBella.

    Steak and shrimp come together with corn and red onion in these tasty foil packets. This is a great dish to prepare over a campfire, on the grill, or in the oven.

    Get the recipe

    Sardine Pasta Bolognese

    Sardine Pasta Bolognese.
    Photo credit: Krumpli.

    Sardine pasta is a simple yet satisfying dish that combines the flavors of a hearty Bolognese sauce with the convenience of canned fish. With red wine, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh tomatoes, this meal is perfect for a festive New Year's Eve dinner.

    Get the recipe

    One Pan Fish & Broccoli in Lemon Butter Caper Sauce

    A skillet full of fish and broccoli in lemon caper sauce.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    A smooth and tasty lemon butter caper sauce goes perfectly with fish and broccoli. Everything is cooked in just one pan, making it easy to prepare.

    Get the recipe

    Tortellini Carbonara

    Tortellini carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This version of carbonara is simple and fast to prepare, using everyday ingredients you can easily find at any grocery store. It's a great option for a New Year's Eve dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Shrimp Scampi Without Wine

    Shrimp scampi.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Shrimp Scampi without wine is a quick and tasty dish that you can whip up in just 10 minutes. The combination of garlic, lemon, chili, and parsley fills your kitchen with a wonderful aroma.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer T-Bone Steak with Homemade Garlic Butter

    T-bone steak with garlic butter.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    Juicy T-bone steaks come out perfectly in the air fryer, making dinner a breeze. Pair them with homemade garlic butter or your favorite sauce for a satisfying meal.

    Get the recipe

    Creamy Sausage Rigatoni Pasta

    Creamy Sausage Rigatoni Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Sausage rigatoni pasta is quick to prepare, taking just about 20 minutes with a few easy ingredients. It's a filling dish that's great for a simple dinner that everyone will love!

    Get the Recipe

    Cajun Chicken Alfredo

    Crock Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo
    Photo Credit: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.

    Crock Pot Cajun Chicken Alfredo is a delicious dish that's sure to impress. With smoked sausage, cajun spices, and a rich cheesy sauce, this is a great choice for your New Year's Eve dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Garlic Butter Steak Bites

    Steak bites on a black skillet.
    Photo Credit: The Art of Food and Wine.

    Seared steak bites are a tasty and easy dish that works well as a main course or an appetizer. They come together in just 15 minutes, making them perfect for a quick meal.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Mushroom Risotto

    Mushroom risotto cooked in a slow cooker.
    Photo Credit: Happy Veggie Kitchen.

    This creamy mushroom risotto is made right in your slow cooker, so there's no need to brown anything in a pan. It's a comforting dish filled with delicious, buttery mushrooms and is surprisingly easy to prepare.

    Get the recipe

    Sun-Dried Tomato Alfredo

    5-Ingredient Sun-Dried Tomato Alfredo
    Photo Credit: Girl Gone Gourmet.

    This sun-dried tomato alfredo sauce is quick and easy to prepare, mixed with pasta for a satisfying meal. It's perfect for when you need something delicious without a lot of work.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Roast Beef

    Sliced roast beef.
    Photo credit: alwaysusebutter.com.

    This Air Fryer Roast Beef is a simple and delicious dinner that your family will enjoy. With a flavorful herby crust and a juicy, tender center, it comes together in just 50 minutes using only a few basic ingredients.

    Get the recipe

    Mediterranean Salmon

    Mediterranean Salmon.
    Photo credit: Hungry Healthy Happy.

    This dish combines Mediterranean flavors with salmon fillets for a simple meal that comes together in less than 20 minutes. It’s great on salads or sandwiches, or you can serve it alongside some roasted garlic potatoes.

    Get the recipe

    Easy Paella

    Paella.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Paella is a simple dish that everyone will enjoy. It's packed with flavorful saffron, shrimp, chicken, green peas, and bell peppers, making it great for a dinner party and tasty even the next day.

    Get the recipe

    Halloumi Portobello Burgers

    A portobello halloumi burger.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Halloumi Burgers are loaded with flavor, featuring mashed avocado, a juicy portobello mushroom, crumbled chèvre cheese, peppery arugula, and sweet caramelized onions. They’re simple to prepare and always a hit with guests!

    Get the recipe

    Shrimp Asparagus Risotto

    A spoonful of shrimp risotto.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This creamy risotto is packed with shrimp and asparagus, bringing together the fresh flavors of lemon, basil, and parmesan. It's a quick and easy dish that can be ready in just 40 minutes, perfect for a special dinner.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Pot Roast

    Tender Slow Cooker Pot Roast.
    Photo Credit: Killing Thyme.

    This slow cooker pot roast is incredibly tender and full of flavor. It cooks for 8 hours with hearty vegetables, creating a satisfying meal that's perfect for New Year's Eve.

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    Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta

    Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta.
    Photo credit: I Heart Nap Time.

    This sweet and spicy bang bang shrimp pasta is sure to please everyone at your New Year's Eve dinner. It's an easy dish featuring tender fettuccine and shrimp cooked in a creamy sriracha and chili sauce.

    Get the recipe

    Maple Mustard Salmon

    Maple Mustard Salmon - Sheet Pan Dinner
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Maple mustard salmon is a quick and easy dinner that you can whip up in just 40 minutes, with most of that time spent letting everything roast in the oven. The sweet and tangy maple Dijon sauce pairs perfectly with cubed sweet potatoes, crispy Brussels sprouts, and fresh salmon fillets for a satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Salmon Risotto with Leeks & Lemon

    Salmon Ristotto with Leeks & Lemon
    Photo credit: always use butter

    This Salmon Risotto is a quick dish that you can whip up in under 40 minutes without needing to stir constantly. With the bright flavors of lemon, leeks, and parsley, it’s a great choice for dinner parties or a simple weeknight meal.

    Get the recipe

    Blackened Cod

    Blackened cod served on a plate.
    Photo Credit: Haute & Healthy Living.

    Blackened cod is a simple and healthy option that’s perfect for a quick dinner. With a homemade seasoning and just 15 minutes in the skillet, it’s a great choice for busy nights.

    Get the recipe

    Shrimp Carbonara

    Shrimp carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Shrimp Carbonara is a quick and tasty take on the classic Italian pasta dish. It combines the creamy goodness of traditional Carbonara with juicy shrimp, making it a satisfying meal for any occasion.

    Get the recipe

    Mushroom Truffle Risotto

    Mushroom Truffle Risotto
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    This no-stir Mushroom Truffle Risotto is packed with flavor from mushrooms, white truffle oil, and white wine, and can be ready in under 40 minutes. It's a fantastic dish for a dinner party that will leave your guests impressed, so keep the easy preparation a secret!

    Get the recipe

    Duck With Orange Sauce

    Duck Breasts with Orange Sauce
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    Duck breasts with orange sauce is a fantastic dish that combines sweet and tangy flavors. This is a great option for a special dinner, and it's surprisingly simple to prepare ahead of time.

    Get the recipe

    French Mustard Chicken

    French chicken in a sauce with bread in it.

    Photo credit: Lavender & Macarons

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

    Get the recipe

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    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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