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!
New Year’s Food That’s Both Fancy and Delicious
Duck breasts are surprisingly easy to prepare and this flavorful dish will have your dinner guests in awe of your cooking talents. (via A Spicy Perspective)
This crowd pleaser is comforting and easy to prepare with variations like extra creamy or garlicky. (via Culinary Hill)
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)
Who knew a crockpot meal could look so beautiful? We love this for an NYE party because it has a little bit of everything, thanks to some truly mouth-watering flavors. (via Half Baked Harvest)
Make this flavorful twist on traditional lasagna with layers of roasted butternut squash sauce, roasted garlic and a cheesy spinach mixture, all baked until golden. (via Cozy Cravings)
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)
If you need some New Year’s Eve food ideas for an intimate night with just you and bae, it might be time to whip out the top-quality ribeye. Don’t forget to dowse it in the homemade herb butter. YUM! (via Joyful Healthy Eats)
Elevating cheese and apples… from the hors d’oeuvres tray to the dinner plate. If you feel like something more casual, try a grab-and-go instead of a sit-down New Year's Eve meal. This sandwich ticks all of the boxes. (via Domestic Superhero)
If your New Year's dinner ideas need some beautiful color, this salmon recipe should do the trick. Paired with asparagus and rice, your guests will leave absolutely stuffed. (via Natasha’s Kitchen)
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)
This might be one of the most mouthwatering sandwiches, and New Year's Eve menu ideas, we’ve ever come across. The thick slabs of Brie melting into the apricot preserves goes perfectly with the crunchy, toasted bread. (via Yammie’s Noshery)
These chicken breasts can be whipped up in a snap and are truly drool-worthy, which obviously makes them the ideal choice to serve at a holiday dinner party. This would be perfect on a bed of noodles or wild rice. (via Closet Cooking)
If you're wondering what to cook for New Year's Eve, look no further. We think whipping up a curry would be super unexpected and a great surprise to dinner guests. They might be hesitant at first, but once they taste the tender eggplant, all bets are off. (via The Bojon Gourmet)
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)
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)
Kick off the new year with this healthy yet totally satisfying meal. (via Olive You Whole)
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
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)
Instead of just drinking red wine, you can cook your meat in it too. Serve these shanks on top of mashed potatoes and you have yourself a meal fit for your finest guests. (via Recipe Tin Eats)
This dish isn’t for the faint of heart; it’s the most grown-up of the grown-up macaroni and cheeses out there. If you love noshing on truffle fries, then this New Year's menu idea is right up your alley. (via The Almond Eater)
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)
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)
This pizza brings together a whole lot of flavors we love and want more of. It’s salty and sweet perfection for dinner. The best part? It’s loaded with Gouda, mozzarella, and Gorgonzola. (via Recipe Runner)
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)
If you got an Instant Pot for Christmas, this recipe will have you putting it to good use by making these tender and herbaceous lamb chops served over creamy puréed cauliflower. (via A Pleasant Little Kitchen)
This innovative take on ravioli includes a velvety butternut filling, crunchy walnuts, roasted cauliflower, and browned butter. (via Hello Glow)
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)
There truly is no better way to enjoy a pork chop than when it’s stuffed to the max with a mouthwatering medley of sweet apples, tangy blue cheese, and salty bacon. (via Jo Cooks)
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)
Scallops will win over the heart of any dinner guest — especially when they’re pan-seared to golden perfection in buttery garlicky goodness. (via Rasa Malaysia)
Make these easy herb-seasoned parmesan chicken meatballs cooked in wine with vegetables, onions, garlic, and fresh herbs for a warm and flavorful holiday meal. (via Half Baked Harvest)
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)
This easy chicken recipe has an intense sweet and sour flavor similar to balsamic. The pomegranate roasted chicken thighs are made with a flavorful marinade using pomegranate molasses. (via Feel Good Foodie)
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)
This meal only takes 30 minutes but looks and tastes like you've spent all day in the kitchen. (via Salt & Lavender)
Even if not everyone is vegan, this lemon pasta will please a crowd. The secret ingredient? Hummus! (via Maggie Bakes Grace)
Aloo Gobi is one of the easiest curries to whip up and made with cauliflower, potatoes and spices you likely already have in your pantry..(via Munching With Mariyah)
This oven-baked pasta is one of the most satisfying for a winter holiday meal. (via Rach L Mansfield)
Keep it simple yet elegant with seared scallops and vegetable puree, perfect for a fancy night dish. (via Nareen's Eats)
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)
Oyster mushrooms and cashew cream make these vegan tacos as delicious as the fish-based.(via Chef Bai)
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)
You can never go wrong with truffle oil and pizza to please a crowd. (via Live Eat Learn)
Mahi mahi, butter, garlic, white wine, lemon, capers, and parsley served over rice or pasta sounds like a perfect NYE meal to us! (via Cilantro Parsley)
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)
We love a good Instant Pot meal and this creamy and delicious dish does not disappoint. It's great for your NYE feast! (via Brit + Co)
Just dump the ingredients into your pressure cooker, and you'll have food enough to feed a family in less than 30 minutes. (via Brit + Co)
On a budget? You just need a bag of frozen stir-fry veggies and frozen brown rice on hand for the base to this healthy meal. (via Brit + Co)
A jar of mango chutney acts as the base of this shrimp stir-fry. Talk about summery goodness. (via Brit + Co)
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)
Bake pasta without having to boil it beforehand by giving it a quick soak. You'll be surprised at how much time you save. (via Brit + Co)
We love everything about this simple and fresh sheet-pan chicken and veggies. (via Brit + Co)
Hearty vegan cooking doesn't have to take forever. Whip out your handy sheet-pan, and you'll be eating this melange of veggie sausage, potatoes, and cabbage in about 45 mostly hands-off minutes. (via Brit + Co)
Keep it casual with a jumble of veggies and black beans that put a much fresher spin on hot dogs. (via Brit + Co)
The rich and nutty tahini dressing is the key to transforming this salad into one you'll actually get excited about eating. (via Brit + Co)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
These savory puffs are perfect for your NYE potluck. (via Brit + Co)
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 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)
This sustainable, healthy, and delicious meal is a great start to a happy new year. (via Brit + Co)
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.
