New Year’s Eve doesn’t have to just be all about crowded bars and overpriced drinks. Those options can be great, but sometimes a tasteful dinner party can be even more fun and celebratory. Picture this: an array of Champagne cocktails and all kinds of fancy finger foods for your giddy guests before you serve up a fantastic New Year’s dinner. Top the night off with a New Year’s toast, and suddenly you’ve hosted the perfect gathering. To get you started, we’ve gathered elegant meal options that range from Asian-inspired to the ultimate adult-ified grilled cheese sandwich to vegan and healthier options. Happy new year!
Brit + Co Recipes
Mac + Cheese Gnocchi
When you’re forming your own traditions, start by riffing on classic recipes like this mac and cheese. Our fancy gnocchi side dish is loaded with three kinds of cheese and will make every carb lover give thanks. (via Brit + Co)
Thai Basil Stir-Fry
Punchy Thai basil, chiles, and garlic add a burst of flavor to this simple ground chicken stir-fry. Serve with sticky white rice so you can soak up every last bit of sauce. (via Brit + Co)
Pressure-Cooker Carnitas
This flexible recipe has a flavorful base of pork shoulder, aromatic veggies, adobo sauce, and beer, but you can also get creative by adding your own combination of herbs and seasonings. (via Brit + Co)
Easy French Dip Sandwiches
For a casual yet still comforting NYE meal, try our version of Pinterest’s most-pinned Instant-Pot recipe cooks tender chuck roast in nutty ghee, which we serve on buttered pretzel rolls with mild cheddar cheese, caramelized onions, and leftover juices for dipping. (via Brit + Co)
Paleo Orange Chicken
The classic American-Chinese staple is made even quicker when seared and pressure-cooked in the IP. Add a little bit of sriracha for a sweet and spicy flavor that’s unmatched. (via Brit + Co)
Instant Pot Beef Stew
You’ll want to go ahead and bookmark this Instant Pot recipe because chances are, after you make this stew for the first time, you’ll go back again and again. (via Brit + Co)
Keto Cheese-Stuffed Meatballs
We thought meatballs couldn’t get much better but stuff them with cheese and suddenly they’re a whole new meal that we can’t get enough of. We love to use them on top of zoodles but any old noodles will work too ;). (via Brit + Co)
Pumpkin Curry
This side dish can also serve as a main course for any plant-based eaters around your dinner table this Christmas Eve. The flavors of pumpkin and vegetables keep things light and bright, while the spicy curry will warm you to your toes. (via Brit + Co)
Harissa Shrimp Recipe With Chickpea-Dill Tomato Sauce
You’ll love this recipe due to its versatility. The tomato sauce could easily support any protein, from tofu to rack of lamb. Not into dill? Use parsley, mint, basil, or cilantro (or d. all of the above) instead. No chickpeas? Omit them or substitute literally any other legume. Go to Italy or India this NYE with your flavor profile. (via Brit + Co)
Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas
Sheet pan meals are a lifesaver on busy nights when you don’t have time to cook and do a pile of dishes. Quick-cooking shrimp is the ideal protein for the method, since it cooks up in mere minutes. (via Brit + Co)
Spicy Butter Chicken
makes for a romantic weeknight at-home date night. Serve with plenty of basmati rice for scooping up that addictive sauce, and enough slices of naan to literally wipe your plate clean. (via Brit + Co)
Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Make this cozy soup with the classic flavors of chicken pot pie,, topped with crispy puff pastry bites for the perfect NYE meal! (via Barley & Sage)
PORCHETTA
This all-belly porchetta is so rich and tender and perfect for a holiday dinner. Fennel and traditional Italian seasonings make it feel fancy but it’s super easy. Serve with some roasted potatoes and greens. (via The Endless Meal)
Braised Red Wine Short Ribs
We don’t want to get too fancy on you, but the Parmesan polenta made with this dish totally sold us. Plus, the braised ribs are super easy — toss them in the oven, then simply pull them out when guests arrive for a tasty New Year’s recipe. Done! (via Inquiring Chef)
Chicken Alfredo Gnocchi Bake With Bacon
Alfredo and bacon, friends… the savory combination we didn’t even know we needed. Make sure you’re ready for the cream overload, though, because this gnocchi bake is chock-full of ricotta, sour cream, cream cheese, and Parmesan. (via Cooking and Beer)
Honey Dijon Roasted Pork Tenderloin
This New Year’s Eve meal idea is great for an intimate gathering of friends or family to celebrate the new year. Other than the pork, you only need four pantry ingredients (plus salt and pepper), so you can have this whipped up in no time. (via The Seasoned Mom)
Foolproof Beef Wellingtonby Chef Genevieve LaMonaca
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs beef Tenderloin center cut canon (ask your butcher)
- 1-2 T Avocado Oil for searing
- 8oz shallots, minced
- 1 lb Mushrooms, cremini or button, minced
- 6 T butter
- 1 t thyme leaves
- 1 T minced Parsley
- Salt and Pepper TT
- Pastry Dough x 2:
- Bread Flour 1 1/2 cups plus 1 T
- Butter 3/4 cup (6oz) cubed
- Salt 1/2 t
- Ice cold water 1/4 cup
Directions:
- Slice off a 2 lb center cut canon from a beef tenderloin or ask your butcher.
- Pat dry, season heavily with salt and pepper. sear on all sides using a fat with a high smoke point (Avocado oil)
- Tip: Precooking your beef is the secret to preventing a soggy bottom crust and most of the moisture is removed prior. This will also ensure that your tenderloin is cooked perfect every time.
- Roast in a 150 oven to an internal temp of 115. Chill
- TIP: I like to measure my canon lengthwise side to side then the circumference by using butchers twine. This will help me determine the size I need to make my prosciutto bed and pastry sheet.
- Make your mushroom duxelles. Saute half a pound of minced shallots in 6 T butter then add 1 lb finely chopped mushrooms and thyme, saute, deglaze with sherry wine as necessary, cook until pan is dry, add minced parsley, season and set aside.
- Add flour and butter to a counter top mixer and using a paddle, combine on lowest speed until the butter is turned into crumbs and all the flour is Incorporated. Pour in your ice water and mix until combined. Place dough onto the counter and form into a ball then flatten/ wrap with plastic wrap and chill.
New Year’s Eve Recipes That Cover All The Bases
Savory Parmesan French Toast With Hollandaise Sauce
We’re noticing that Parmesan cheese is a recurring ingredient on this list, but we’re obviously okay with it. Take this savory French toast, for example. This New Year’s Eve dinner recipe is breakfast for supper, only better. (via The Food Charlatan)
Parmesan Spinach Gnocchi
We’re mixing up New Years’ party food and adding gnocchi with this recipe. It’s warm, delectable, and makes for a comforting winter dish. Everyone craves a cheesy, cream-based meal when it’s cold, so they might as well get it at your NYE dinner party. (via Life As a Strawberry)
Pasta With Light Avocado Cream Sauce
Don’t be fooled by the green — these aren’t zoodles, although those would make a great dish for New Year’s Eve too. These noodles get their pretty green color from being tossed in avocados and creamy spinach. (via Yummy Healthy Easy)
Smoked Salmon and Avocado Pizza
Everyone will want to grab a slice of this pie (or the whole thing). If you weren’t sold at avocado, the “sauce” is made up of cream cheese, dill, and garlic, then melted together with grated mozzarella. (via Cafe Delites)
Barramundi en Papillote
Flaky barramundi is steamed in parchment alongside Meyer lemons, ginger, bell peppers, and butter for a meal that promises big flavor and little clean-up. (via Jelly Toast)
Instant Pot Korean Beef Tacos
Everyone loves tacos, so feeding your pals these tender and juicy Korean beef tacos topped with fresh cilantro, kimchi, peanuts, and Sriracha mayo is a surefire way to win at hosting. (via Pinch of Yum)
Arayes With Cheese
These crispy arayes feature a flavorful ground meat mixture and shredded cheese stuffed into pita bread then grilled to crispy, juicy perfection. (via Forks & Foliage)
Cheese Stuffed Shells
For an easy and delicious vegetarian dish, these cheese stuffed shells are made with three types of cheese, ricotta, mozzarella and parmesan, baked with a marinara sauce, and served with fresh basil. !(via Feel Good Foodie)
Even if not everyone is vegan, this lemon pasta will please a crowd. The secret ingredient? Hummus! (via Maggie Bakes Grace)
Coconut Dal
NYE is a great time to try something new like this coconut dal dish with comforting lentils. Serve over rice with warm bread or naan. (via allosimone)
Vegan Shepherd’s Pie
Go for this cozy classic with a vegan and gluten-free twist made with a brothy lentil base and fluffy mashed potato topping. (via Two Spoons)
Want more easy New Year’s Eve dinner recipes? Follow us on Pinterest and subscribe to our email newsletter for some extra inspo!
(Additional reporting by Dana Sandonato, Chloe Williams and Theresa Gonzalez)
This post has been updated.
Lead image via Feel Good Foodie
