Make-ahead dinner party main course recipes
Showing 1 to 24 of 84 results
Spiced lamb pie
This stunning filo pastry pie is a twist on a lamb tagine. A hearty main meal that wouldn't look out of place on any dinner-party table
Vegan pie
Make this fantastic vegan beetroot, sweet potato, chard and celeriac rainbow-layered pie as a stunning centrepiece for a meat-free Christmas or dinner party
Pasilla mole recipePasilla mole
Make one of Mexico's most iconic recipes, mole, a sauce made with chillies, spices and dark chocolate. Use as a topping on enchiladas and meat
Kimbap
Adapt these Korean-style rice rolls with almost anything you like – we've used seafood sticks and hot dogs, but spicy pork or tuna mayo work well too
Aubergine parmigiana
Make this classic bake, also known as melanzane parmigiana, for guests. It's made with tomato, aubergine and vegetarian mozzarella, and garnished with parmesan-style cheese
Classic lasagne
Prepare this easy homemade lasagne ahead of time and save in the freezer, uncooked, for when you need it during a busy week. Just bake for an extra 45 mins
Three-hour pork belly
Still a relatively cheap cut, pork belly yields beautiful soft flesh and crisp crackling when slow-roasted.
Creamy courgette lasagne
Serve this quick, creamy courgette & ricotta lasagne for a last-minute dinner party to impress vegetarian friends. It's a great way to use courgettes when they're in season
Braised lamb shanks
Lamb shanks are good value, and as each one is a portion, serving is a cinch. You can braise the shanks up to two days ahead
Easy lamb tagine
This fruity, Moroccan-style lamb tagine is full of goodness and guaranteed to satisfy a crowd. Save time and make this easy one-pot up to two days ahead
Beef bourguignon
The secret to this rich beef casserole is to use all wine and no stock. Our ultimate beef bourguignon recipe is an instant comforting classic, full of satisfying flavours.
Pork with black pudding & roasted rhubarb
A great dinner party dish that can be prepared 24 hours ahead, leaving just the sauce to prepare on the day
French onion soup
Our French onion soup is deliciously rich and easy to make at home. This savoury soup is perfect for using up a garden glut and great for dinner parties
Pan-fried chicken in mushroom sauce
Creamy chicken and mushroom dish - a fabulous French seasonal recipe
Sticky onion & cheddar quiche
A crisp pastry case and a just-set creamy filling, quiche is a good solution to any meal dilemma from dinner parties, suppers, picnics and even afternoon tea
Moroccan meatball tagine with lemon & olives
A wonderfully aromatic North African lamb casserole with a citrus tang - great for dinner parties
Old Delhi-style butter chicken
Head to your spice rack to make this butter chicken curry, a dish that symbolises Indian food for millions of people all over the world
One-pot chicken chasseur
This French bistro classic is easy to make at home and fabulous with creamy mash or crusty bread
Slow cooker beef topside with red wine gravy
Use a slow cooker to make this beef topside for Sunday lunch – the whole family will love it. Slow cooking makes the meat so tender and gives it a real depth of flavour
Beef ragout
Add a modern-day twist to a classic bolognese with Tom Kerridge's exquisite beef ragout. Serve with hand-cut pappardelle pasta for a great dinner party dish
Pumpkin curry with chickpeas
A veggie dinner party dish which stands alone as a vegan main course or as a complex side dish perfect served with spiced roast meat or fish.
Greek lamb with orzo
Entertaining doesn't have to equal stress, this spruced up one-pot is perfect for people with little time for preparation
Bay & bacon roast turkey with make-ahead gravy
Try this delicious way to prepare the Christmas bird, with bay leaves, lemon and stuffing - perfect flavours to compliment your festive dinner
Nut roast
Bake a satisfying vegetarian loaf with lentils, chestnut mushrooms and cheese to go with all the classic roast dinner trimmings.