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37 Impressive-Yet-Foolproof Dinner Party Mains

Updated on December 14, 2023

These dishes are guaranteed to impress—without all the stress!

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Photo: Renee Comet ©

Our Best Main Dish Recipes for Dinner Parties

There are a few things that are essential for a memorable dinner party: great appetizers, a cocktail or two (plus the right glassware for serving) and of course, dinner and dessert. If you’ve spent a lot of time working on the little details like drinks, decor and the cutest miniature treats then you’re in the right place—we’ve got all the no-stress mains you could ever need to finish up your menu, each one as impressive (and dinner party-worthy) as the next. Just take this Milanese specialty of cross-cut veal shanks, for example. It’s braised with vegetables and white wine which might seem complicated—but this recipe only requires 10 minutes of prep work. Most of the cooking is hands off. After you brown the veal shanks and puree the vegetales for the sauce, the heat takes care of the rest.

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Photo: Renee Comet

Bundt Pan Spanakopita

Here's an easy kitchen hack for traditional Greek spinach and cheese pies. A Bundt pan gives you a break from filling and folding all those individual triangles — and it turns a crispy appetizer into a showstopper that could pass as a main course.

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Photo: Con Poulos

Beer-Braised Ribs with Clams

Tender littleneck clams, savory pork ribs and earthy new potatoes come together in an herbaceous tomato broth — the perfect dish for casual outdoor dining.
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Photo: Renee Comet ©

Chicken Cacciatore

Buttery egg noodles are topped with juicy browned chicken thighs and a medley of sauteed vegetables in Ree Drummond's classic chicken cacciatore recipe. 
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