My Favourite Recipes for a Dinner Party of 6-8

We try to get together with family often, but it can feel overwhelming to cook for larger parties. I thought I’d share some of my favourite tried and true recipes for a dinner party that have proven to be not only completely manageable (trust me, I am no Cordon Bleu chef!), but also real crowd pleasers!

ROAST TURKEY WITH PEARS AND SAGE

Image Credit: adventures-in-cooking.com

This dish is super impressive, and don’t get shy with taking on a turkey; sure you have to start early, but it is not labour intensive – and this was a real crowd pleaser with delicious leftovers!

I have to admit, this is one recipe where it can really turn out just like the photo!

Goes great with: All the regular turkey dinner fixings – a personal must is garlic mashed potatoes

ROAST CHICKEN

Photo Credit: ABC.go

This is my go-to dinner recipe, SO simple and delicious! I actually got it from Clinton Kelly’s book, Freakin’ Fabulous and it is probably the best thing in it. Hot Pink Manolos did a great post including the recipe right here. She did the basic recipe listed in the book, but it can be spiced up a variety of ways – on The Chew, he’s shown a Fall version as well which looks equally delicious if you love garlic, like I do (photo below).

I swear, the lemon piercing trick is a life saver!

Goes great with: Green salad and rice

CHICKEN CORDON BLEU CASSEROLE

Image credit: creolecontessa.com

There is nothing not to like about this dish, honestly.

Goes great with: I tried to offset the health factor of this recipe with some roasted vegetables, but it is quite filling so you certainly don’t need much! True comfort food.

BROCCOLI, BEEF AND POTATO HOT DISH

image credit: eatingwell.com

This is one of the most cost-effective and simple dishes I have prepared for a large group, and is a real crowd-pleaser amongst a younger crowd (read: kids). Super easy and goes a long way.

Goes great with: Adding to the simplicity, for a casual meal, serve with a loaf of garlic toast – but it’s basically a meal in a single dish!

What are your favourite recipes for large groups?

Echo Eaton-Thorne D.I.D.

Echo Eaton-Thorne has been an interior designer with Meade Design Group in Victoria BC, since 2006, after she graduated with her Diploma in Interior Design. Echo enjoys entertaining, painting, reading rock biographies, and adventures with her husband, Nic, daughter, Aurora, and dogs, Maximus and Sailor. Also, the colour pink… and maybe the odd unicorn. Echo's Key focuses on lifeMstyle are: interior design, pets and events