There’s nothing better than a cozy bowl of pasta and if you want to kick it up a notch, bolognese is your answer. Pair it with a light salad and you have an easy yet impressive dinner party menu.

Why make any old poultry dish when you can easily cook a whole chicken? The dutch oven does all the work in this lemon-pepper recipe that roasts two heads of garlic with the bird which can be turned into a delicious sauce or butter to served with the meal.

Move over au gratin and scalloped potatoes, there’s a new layered potato dish on the menu. Sans the copious amounts of cheese and cream used in other thinly sliced potato dishes, this galette is able to hold its shape which makes for a pretty presentation. (But don’t worry the layers are still deliciously tender while crispy on the outside.)

A good steak will always be dinner party approved and it’s surprisingly easy—especially this pan-seared flank steak. It’s a main dish that allows you to prepare all your sides (and sauce) ahead of time so all you have to do just before it’s time to sit is quickly sear the meat.

What makes chicken piccata so delicious? The pairing of the crispy pan fried chicken coated in a zesty pan sauce made with butter, garlic, capers, lemon, and white wine that is equally rich and bright. Serve with creamy polenta or grits and a large, crunchy salad and voila!

A classic pot pie will always be a delight, but this version with flakey puff pastry crust takes it to another level with the layered squares atop.

From date night to dinner party, these bacon-wrapped pork tenderloins promise to be an automatic hit. You’re sure to have guests asking for the recipe after just one bite.

Substitute leftover holiday ham for pancetta, guanciale, or bacon, and you have an equally delicious any-occasion dinner party recipe that will delight.

Lasagna might be a weeknight favorite, but it’s certainly dinner party approved as well. A make-ahead dish like this allows the host to get all the heavy-handed prep out of the way in order to focus on their guests instead of cooking.

Don’t forget about the greens! This easy wintertime salad can accompany a variety of mains as the fresh citrus and crunchy shaved fennel help balance richer dishes.

With apples in abundance during the winter months, this galette is just begging to be the star of your next dinner party dessert lineup.

This might be a great grill recipe in the warmer months, but it’s just as delicious cooked inside starting on an the stovetop over high heat and finishing in the oven. The best part is you can serve cowboy steak with just about any side dish.

Consider hosting a fondue themed dinner party and upping your fondue game with this riesling-gruyére version that has a slight nuttiness from the cheese and sweetness from the wine.

Salmon is often a go-to weeknight supper, but add this bourbon glaze to the fish and serve atop grits with Brussels sprouts and you have a quick dinner party menu.

Nothing says labor of love like a tender, fall-off-the-bone piece of meat (even if it only takes 25 minutes of hands-on time!). Serve with a pot of creamy mashed potatoes and you have the ideal winter dinner party meal.

Once baked for the weeknights, twice baked for special occasions. You just can’t beat a twice baked potato—especially when it’s topped with crispy bacon bits, chives, and loaded with cheese.

The crackly crust levels up this pork roast from ho-hum to dinner party ready. The key is scoring the fat layer which allows it to get extra crispy as it cooks.

Don’t forget about something sweet! This indulgent flourless chocolate cake is a great winter dinner party dessert that can be made ahead of time. Serve with candied seasonal citrus and fresh whipped cream.

Cooking a rack of lamb might sound intimidating, but rest assured it’s quite easy, fool proof, and most importantly will make you guests say, “Wow! You cooked this?”. The buttermilk soak tenderizes the meat while the herby rub and sauce bring in plenty of fresh flavor.

It’s hard not to love a one-pan recipe and this one delivers in every way—ample flavor, rich yet not too heavy, and makes for a pretty presentation.

Whether you dress up these bite-sized potato piles with a dollop of crème fraîche, chives, and caviar if you’re feeling extra fancy; or serve them as-is alongside your main dish—guests are sure to be oohing and aahing.

Kick off your bash with an impressive appetizer. These baked oysters can be prepped ahead of time and popped in the oven just as guests arrive for a warm welcome.

If you were wondering how to make cornbread more Southern, the answer is pimento cheese. Swap your regular recipe for this cheesy version as a side for dish for any soup-inspired winter dinner gathering.

Just because it’s a dinner party, doesn’t mean the menu has to look or sound fancy. This white bean soup is layered with flavor and a step above your traditional bean soup recipe which qualifies it for company. (Insert pimento cheese cornbread here!)

A Bundt is always welcome at the party—no invite needed! And what’s better to cure the winter blues than doubling down on the chocolate?

Take your pot roast up a notch with this french onion rendition that brings all the same flavors and textures you love about french onion soup to the dish. While perhaps not visually impressive, it’ll knock guest’s socks off in the flavor department.

No one has ever been upset to see a heaping bowl of mashed potatoes on the table, and these are no exception.

Everyone loves the creamy, sun-dried tomato chicken dish known as Marry Me Chicken, so we took all those crowd-favorite characteristics and turned it into a more visually impressive version that is photo-worthy when cut into.

Shrimp and grits aren’t just for brunch—or the lowcountry for that matter. This flavor-packed recipe is just right for a cozy winter dinner party.

What’s better than a creamy bowl of pasta on a cold winter night? Keep it casual with this french onion soup inspired pasta dish. Serve it family style in a big Dutch oven on the table.

For the ultimate comfort dish, these crispy chicken thighs nestled into a bed of collards and potlikker-soaked rice is just the thing for a chilly night.

Chocolate and peanut butter make everything better—even the dreariest of months. Everyone will be asking for a second scoop of this decadent molten cake with a gooey peanut butter center.

Turn this simple veggie into a deluxe side dish. Serve with your favorite red meat or roast chicken for an easy menu.

Break out your trusty cast iron skillet for this simple roast chicken. Cooked over a bed of hearty veggies, it can be a whole meal, but for a dinner party, try pairing it with a large salad and additional side like creamy orzo or risotto.

Though this chicken pot pie recipe can be pulled together in less than 30 minutes, you can prep and refrigerate it the night before hosting so all you have to do the day of your shindig is pop it in the oven and set the table. The best part? All the dirty dishes will already be done.

Sneak your greens into your main dish alongside bacon, noodles, onion, and cheese and you have a surefire winner.