There’s something truly special about gathering around a table and sharing a meal with loved ones. Whether it’s with family, friends, or new acquaintances, group dinners have a way of bringing people closer together, creating a sense of community, and forging lasting bonds. Not only does it provide an opportunity to catch up, share stories, and create memories, but it also offers a host of psychological and social benefits, such as reducing stress, improving mood, and fostering a sense of belonging.
However, planning a meal for a large group can sometimes feel a bit daunting. You want to make sure there’s something for everyone, and that the recipes you choose are feasible to make in large quantities without too much stress. That’s why we’ve put together this list of Top 10 Recipes for Group Dinners. From appetizers to main courses and desserts, these recipes are perfect for large gatherings and are sure to impress your guests and keep them coming back for seconds.
Appetizers
Kick off your group dinner with these delicious and easy-to-make appetizers that will get everyone’s taste buds tingling and set the tone for the rest of the meal.
1. Stuffed Mushrooms
Description: These savory stuffed mushrooms are filled with a mixture of cream cheese, garlic, herbs, and grated cheese, making them the perfect bite-sized starter for any gathering.
Ingredients:
- 20 large mushrooms
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 cup grated cheese (e.g., cheddar or parmesan)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Remove the stems from the mushrooms and chop them finely. Set the mushroom caps aside.
- In a bowl, mix together the chopped mushroom stems, cream cheese, garlic, parsley, half of the grated cheese, salt, and pepper.
- Stuff the mushroom caps with the mixture and place them on a baking tray.
- Sprinkle the remaining grated cheese on top of the stuffed mushrooms.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the mushrooms are tender and the tops are golden brown.
Preparation Time: 20 minutes Cooking Time: 25 minutes Servings: 10
2. Mini Caprese Skewers
Description: These mini Caprese skewers are a fresh and flavorful appetizer that requires no cooking. They are the perfect combination of tomato, basil, and mozzarella, drizzled with balsamic glaze.
Ingredients:
- 20 cherry tomatoes
- 20 mini mozzarella balls
- 20 fresh basil leaves
- 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze
- 20 toothpicks
Instructions:
- Thread a cherry tomato, a basil leaf, and a mini mozzarella ball onto each toothpick.
- Arrange the skewers on a serving platter.
- Drizzle the balsamic glaze over the skewers just before serving.
Preparation Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 0 minutes Servings: 10
3. Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Description: This creamy spinach and artichoke dip is a classic crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for sharing. Serve it with crackers, chips, or sliced baguette.
Ingredients:
- 1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
- 1 (14-ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a bowl, mix together the spinach, artichokes, mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Transfer the mixture to a small baking dish and smooth the top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbling.
- Serve warm with crackers, chips, or sliced baguette.
Preparation Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 30 minutes Servings: 8-10
Main Courses
The main event! These hearty and satisfying main courses are perfect for feeding a crowd and are sure to be a hit at any group dinner.
4. Roast Chicken with Vegetables
Description: A classic roast chicken served with an assortment of roasted vegetables. Simple, delicious, and always a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients:
- 1 whole chicken (about 4-5 lbs)
- 2 lbs mixed vegetables (e.g., carrots, potatoes, broccoli), chopped
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 2 teaspoons dried rosemary
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- In a large bowl, toss the vegetables with half of the olive oil, salt, pepper, rosemary, and thyme.
- Spread the vegetables in a single layer on a baking tray.
- Rub the chicken with the remaining olive oil, salt, pepper, rosemary, and thyme.
- Place the chicken on top of the vegetables on the baking tray.
- Roast in the preheated oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
- Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before carving. Serve with the roasted vegetables.
Preparation Time: 15 minutes Cooking Time: 1 hour 15 minutes Servings: 6-8
5. Beef Lasagna
Description: Layers of pasta, rich meat sauce, and creamy béchamel, all topped with a generous layer of melted cheese. This beef lasagna is the ultimate comfort food.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 package (16 oz) lasagna noodles
- 2 cups béchamel sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions:
- In a large pan, cook the ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until the beef is browned and the onion is tender. Drain the fat.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper to the pan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a baking dish, spread a thin layer of meat sauce, followed by a layer of noodles, a layer of béchamel sauce, and a layer of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Repeat the layers until all the ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
- Let the lasagna stand for 10 minutes before serving.
Preparation Time: 30 minutes Cooking Time: 1 hour Servings: 8-10
6. Vegetarian Paella
Description: A vegetarian twist on the classic Spanish dish. This vegetable paella is loaded with colorful vegetables and flavored with saffron and smoked paprika.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups Arborio rice
- 1 teaspoon saffron threads
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 2 cups mixed vegetables (e.g., peas, green beans, artichokes)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions:
- In a large paella pan or wide skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, bell pepper, and garlic, and cook until the vegetables are softened.
- Add the rice, saffron, paprika, and vegetable broth to the pan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the mixed vegetables, cherry tomatoes, and half of the parsley to the pan. Cook for another 10-15 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the vegetables are cooked.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with the remaining parsley and serve with lemon wedges.
Preparation Time: 15 minutes Cooking Time: 45 minutes Servings: 6-8
7. BBQ Ribs
Description: Tender and flavorful ribs coated with a homemade BBQ sauce and grilled to perfection.
Ingredients:
- 2 racks of pork ribs (about 4 lbs)
- 2 cups BBQ sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup paprika
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, paprika, black pepper, salt, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper.
- Rub the spice mixture all over the ribs, coating them evenly.
- Wrap the ribs in aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for best results.
- Preheat the grill to medium heat.
- Grill the ribs, covered, for 2.5-3 hours until they are tender and cooked through.
- In the last 30 minutes of cooking, brush the ribs with BBQ sauce every 10 minutes.
- Remove the ribs from the grill and let them rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Preparation Time: 15 minutes (plus 1 hour marinating time) Cooking Time: 3 hours Servings: 4-6
8. Seafood Pasta
Description: A luxurious pasta dish loaded with a variety of seafood in a rich and flavorful tomato cream sauce.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb pasta (e.g., spaghetti, linguine, fettuccine)
- 1 lb mixed seafood (e.g., shrimp, scallops, mussels, clams)
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Chopped parsley, for garnish
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions:
- In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened.
- Add the seafood to the skillet and cook until it starts to turn opaque.
- Add the white wine to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes until it reduces slightly.
- Add the diced tomatoes, heavy cream, salt, and pepper to the skillet and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10-15 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Serve the seafood sauce over the cooked pasta and garnish with chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese.
Preparation Time: 15 minutes Cooking Time: 30 minutes Servings: 4-6
Desserts
End your group dinner on a sweet note with these delicious and crowd-pleasing desserts.
9. Chocolate Fondue
Description: A classic and interactive dessert that everyone will love. Melted chocolate served with an assortment of fruits, marshmallows, and cookies for dipping.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 pound semisweet chocolate, chopped
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Assorted dippables (e.g., strawberries, bananas, marshmallows, cookies)
Instructions:
- In a saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat until it starts to simmer.
- Add the chocolate and stir until melted and smooth.
- Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Transfer the chocolate to a fondue pot and keep warm.
- Serve with an assortment of fruits, marshmallows, and cookies for dipping.
Preparation Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 10 minutes Servings: 8-10
10. Fruit Tart
Description: A buttery tart crust filled with a sweet cream cheese filling and topped with an assortment of fresh fruits. A beautiful and refreshing dessert.
Ingredients:
- 1 pre-made tart crust
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Assorted fresh fruits (e.g., berries, kiwi, mandarin oranges)
- 1/4 cup apricot jam, warmed
Instructions:
- Bake the tart crust according to the package instructions. Let it cool completely.
- In a bowl, beat together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Spread the cream cheese filling into the cooled tart crust.
- Arrange the fresh fruits on top of the filling.
- Brush the warmed apricot jam over the fruits to glaze.
- Refrigerate the tart for at least 1 hour before serving.
Preparation Time: 20 minutes (plus 1 hour refrigeration) Cooking Time: 0 minutes (assuming tart crust is pre-made) Servings: 8-10
Conclusion
Gathering around the table and sharing a meal is one of the most timeless and cherished traditions worldwide. It’s an opportunity to connect with loved ones, create lasting memories, and enjoy delicious food together. We hope these recipes inspire you to host your own group dinner and create a special evening full of laughter, love, and, of course, great food.
Remember, the key to a successful group dinner is to plan ahead, choose recipes that can be partially prepared in advance or that don’t require a lot of last-minute attention, and most importantly, to relax and enjoy the company of your guests. After all, the goal is to create a sense of community and connection, and that’s best done with a relaxed and happy host.
Happy cooking, and enjoy your dinner!
Get Involved!
We’d love to see the amazing dishes you create for your own group dinners! Share your cooking experiences, photos of your dishes, and any tweaks you made to the recipes on social media. Tag us using #GrubTogether and @GrubTogether so we can share your creations with our community.
Also, if you have any favorite group dinner recipes of your own, please share them with us. We’re always looking for new and delicious recipes to try and share with our readers.
And finally, if you found this post helpful, please share it with your friends, family, and followers. The more people we can inspire to host group dinners and foster a sense of community, the better!
Thank you for your support, and happy cooking!