37 Fancy-ish Dinner Party Ideas
Maybe you’re a dinner party maximalist. You delight in creating a tablescape, curating a playlist, and cooking enough food to send everyone home with leftovers. Or maybe you don’t even have a dining table and are hosting your whole family for the first time. No matter which type of host you are, we’re here to help you throw the dinner party of your dreams.
You can start with low-maintenance appetizers, like gussied-up chips or go fancy with a platter of oysters—this cheat code will make shucking a breeze. You can make your kitchen the stage of the show, twirling saffron pasta or slicing steak au poivre à la minute, or sit back and let the oven do the work (this slow-roasted salmon is an excellent hands-off option). You can even make the main entirely in advance: Brisket Bourguignon and Saucy Pollo Guisado taste even better the next day.
We’ve got plenty more tips on hosting a memorable soiree—and doing so on a budget. But remember, there’s no wrong way to party. So queue up some tunes, light some candles, and let’s have fun.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Judy Kim, prop styling by Beth Pakradooni1/37Brisket Bourguignon
This slow-cooked, wine-drenched brisket got associate food editor Kendra Vaculin out of her hosting slump. It can do the same for you.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Judy Kim, prop styling by Beth Pakradooni2/37
Cheesy Roasted Cabbage Wedges
If you’re keeping the menu vegetarian, these cheesy roasted cabbage wedges are a showstopping main.
- Photograph by Peden + Munk, food styling by Shilpa Uskokovic3/37
Cheater’s Paella
Paella in under an hour? It can be done—and you don’t need a supersized pan to make it happen.
- Photograph by Elizabeth Coetzee, prop styling by Emma Ringness, Food Styling by Emilie Fosnocht4/37
BA’s Best Lasagna
You can never go wrong with meaty ragù, creamy béchamel, and ruffly lasagna noodles. Assemble the lasagna ahead of time, then slide it into the oven an hour before guests arrive.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Judy Kim, Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca5/37
Classic Caesar Salad
A classic Caesar salad never goes out of style. Pair it with our best lasagna and you’re really in business.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Thu Buser, prop styling by Gerri Williams6/37
Buttery Milk Buns
For the ultimate party trick, fill the bread basket with freshly baked rolls. These make an ideal canvas to sop up whatever’s on your plate.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich7/37
Last Word
This green tipple is one of our favorite gin cocktails—its herbal flavor and emerald color comes from Chartreuse. The recipe is easy enough to memorize, so you can shake up batches as friends roll in.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Sean Dooley, prop styling by Tim Ferro8/37
Saucy Pollo Guisado
In this saucy Puerto Rican stew, chicken thighs simmer in a vibrant sofrito and tomato broth until they’re tender. Plump manzanilla olives add a touch of brine to the finished dish.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Mieko Takahashi, Prop Styling by Alex Massillon9/37
Giant Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie
This giant chocolate chip cookie is crunchy on the edges, chewy in the middle, and best topped with vanilla ice cream. Seek out chocolate wafers (also known as discs or fèves), which melt into dramatic chocolate puddles.
- Photograph by Yudi Ela Echevarria, food styling by Micah Morton, prop styling by Sean Dooley, Special thanks to Frank's House10/37
Sparkling Tangawizi
Every party needs a signature drink, alcoholic or not. This sparkling soda—made with punchy ginger, lime juice, and sparkling water—is a great way to kick off the festivities.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Thu Buser, prop styling by Christina Allen11/37
Pumpernickel Panzanella
Because you should have a salad on the table, and nobody will complain if it’s 50% croutons.
- Photo by Alex Lau12/37
BA’s Best Shrimp Cocktail
If you’ve noticed the price of shrimp cocktail rising at restaurants, learn to make it yourself at home. This tutorial also comes with a bonus recipe for cocktail sauce.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton13/37
Roasted Salmon With Citrus Salsa Verde
When hosting a dinner party, this is the recipe that countless Bon Appétit staffers turn to. “Put it in the oven and forget about it!” says editorial operations manager Kate Kassin.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Kendra Vaculin, prop styling by Gözde Eker14/37
Grilled Party Salmon With Green Romesco
If it’s warm enough to cook outside, take the whole side of salmon out to the grill. The fish’s skin provides a barrier between the delicate flesh and grill grate, so be sure to buy a skin-on fillet.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Beth Pakradooni15/37
Bananas Flambé
If you like maximum drama, this Bananas Foster–inspired flambé is the dessert for you. You can set it aflame tableside—just make sure to have a fire extinguisher nearby.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Thu Buser, prop styling by Gerri Williams16/37
Spam and Brie Bites
A little retro, a lot of flavor, and perfect for your next party.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Emilie Fosnocht, prop styling by Emma Ringness17/37
Pasta With 20 Cloves of Garlic
Toasted nutritional yeast, full of umami, pushes the pasta into a deeply savory zone and seamlessly makes up for the lack of dairy in this vegan superstar.
- Photo by Taylor Peden and Jen Munk / Courtesy Clarkson Potter, Random House18/37
Strip Steak au Poivre
A nice steak plus this simple pan sauce will fulfill all your 10 p.m. Parisian dinner dreams.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Sean Dooley, Prop Styling by Marina Bevilacqua19/37
Jammy Cumin Plums and Feta Salad
Summer’s undersung stone fruit gets the red carpet treatment with a spice-infused simmer, chunks of briny feta, and charred bread for soaking up all the juices.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Judy Kim, prop styling by Beth Pakradooni20/37
Sour Cream and Onion Hasselback Potatoes
Generous swooshes of homemade onion dip provide a soft landing for tiny, crispy Hasselback potatoes.
- Photo by Stephen Kent Johnson, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski21/37
Shaved Fennel Salad With Croutons and Walnuts
This is an antidote to every side salad that ever was. Instead of meh greens, it’s got shavings of fennel that bend and twist but keep their refreshing crunch.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Pearl Jones, prop styling by Emma Fishman22/37
Scallops and Chorizo in Tomato Sauce
Need proof that salty cured pork and delicate shellfish are a match made in heaven? This vibrant and cozy 20-minute, one-skillet weeknight dinner.
- Photograph by Chris Bernabeo, food styling by Lauren Stanek23/37
Smoked Salmon Tartare
Simple but elevated, this quick cracker-topper is perfect for a party.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Prop styling by Suzie Meyers, Food Styling by Taneka Morris24/37
Sunny Saffron Butter Pasta
A little saffron goes a long way in this standout sauce, finished with cracked pepper, salty Parmesan, and fragrant basil.
- Photograph by Chris Bernabeo, food styling by Lauren Stanek25/37
Kuri Squash With Salsa Verde and Boquerones
Nothing says “classy side dish” like anchovies draped over wedges of roasted squash and drizzled with a bright, herbaceous topping.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Thu Buser, Prop Styling by Beth Pakradooni26/37
Warm Chicken Piccata Salad
Turn classic chicken piccata into a salad by using the lemon-and-caper-spiked pan sauce as the base for a warm vinaigrette.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Sean Dooley, Prop Styling by Allison Ritchie27/37
Creamy Chimichurri Roast Chicken
This velvety chimichurri riff combines the sauce’s signature acidity and herbaceousness with yogurt’s mellow tang for a versatile two-in-one marinade and good-on-everything condiment.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Thu Buser, Prop Styling by Tim Ferro28/37
Old Bay Chips With Lemon Mayo
Gussied up store-bought potato chips and mayonnaise brings your average chips and dip to the next level—and with very little effort.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Kendra Vaculin, prop styling by Gözde Eker29/37
Jamón and Nectarines With Blue Cheese
Pair fancy ham, funky cheese, and juicy fruit with a black-pepper-spiked agrodolce drizzle to elevate this simple summer side.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Judy Kim, prop styling by Beth Pakradooni30/37
Chocolate and Coconut Cream Pie
This double-decker pie stacks two forever favorites—chocolate and coconut cream—in a homemade salted graham cracker crust for a best-of-all-worlds situation.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Thu Buser, Prop Styling by Christina Allen31/37
Potatoes au Gratin
Whatever you call it (au gratin potatoes, potato gratin, that cheesy potato thing), this classic dish never disappoints.
- Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Judy Kim.32/37
Strip Steak With Umami Butter Sauce
Ready to move on from bottled steak sauce? Great, because we are too with this 5-ingredient sauce that takes all of 10 minutes to make.
- Photograph by Peden + Munk, food styling by Shilpa Uskokovic33/37
Sheet-Pan Spinach Lasagna
Smart shortcuts like store-bought fresh noodles, frozen spinach, and a sheet pan deliver big lasagna flavor in a fraction of the time.
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Thu Buser, Prop Styling by Christina Allen34/37
Spiced Lamb and Shaved Carrots
Tagine-inspired flavors, saucy lamb, and crunchy raw carrot salad—what’s not to love?
- Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Emilie Fosnocht, prop styling by Christina Allen35/37
Roast Cod With Chorizo Crisp
Understated cod gets a major glow-up in this sheet-pan dinner thanks to a savory spiced topping of cheesy chorizo breadcrumbs.
- Photograph by Peden + Munk, food styling by Shilpa Uskokovic36/37
Gochujang Steak Wraps
Sugar-rubbed steaks and a bright, brash gochujang sauce bring bold flavor to these party-ready lettuce wraps.
- Photo by Ted + Chelsea Cavanaugh, Food Styling by Simon Andrews37/37
BA’s Best Risotto
With four ways to dress it up, this simple risotto recipe is worthy of a dinner party—but it's also delicious topped with nothing at all.