30 Delicious Dinner Party Recipes Designed For Sharing

A big-format meal with a medley of guests and dishes offers a valuable opportunity for connection.

Whether you’re (quite literally) breaking bread, nibbling through a cheeseboard or serving up each guest’s plate with a scoop, slice or piece of the centrepiece, these meals are designed to be shared across a table. We’ve got the whole occasion covered with entrees, mains and desserts that you can simply mix and match.

Among those entrees, there are options for a special cheeseboard, including burnt butter, mini toasts and hummus, as well as hot and moreish bites — think polenta chips, arancini balls, and sweet and sticky chicken. The common theme? Breezy bursts of flavour. For a sumptuous main, why not serve up a vibrant pot of mussels, leafy steak salad or quietly impressive homemade fish and chips? And then, for the sweet tooth satisfier, turn to a towering berry ripple cheesecake or a more simple vegan brownie.

This collection of recipes has you covered, no matter who is coming to dinner. Take the time to be present and facilitate kind conversation — because good company is a real joy.

Entrees

Burnt butter

A simple but rewarding addition to a cheeseboard or bread serving, this burnt butter is easier than you think.

These flavourful chips should be dusted with smoked paprika and paired with a herby yoghurt dip.

Avocado and prawn bruschetta

These crunchy starters have a generous layer of avocado, which is blended with lime, garlic, red onion and chilli.

Gluten-free cheese and thyme bites you can’t stop eating

These tiny and melty bites are best served warm and melty — add a few sprigs of thyme.

Gorgonzola honey toasts

Fennel and gruyere arancini balls

These super-gooey cheese balls are so easy to eat and delightfully comforting.

Salmon mousse with bagel crisps and pickled cucumber

This smoky salmon spread is a treat for the charcuterie — served with oven-crisped bagel bits and a punchy cucumber flourish.

White beans, leeks and feta hummus

This homemade hummus will be an unexpected delight for a shared meal. Serve with crackers or crusty bread.

Sweet and spicy Korean fried chicken

This sticky and moreish recipe comes from The Korean Cookbook by Junghyun Park and Jungyoon Choi. Its sauce sees a mix of gochujang, garlic and syrup.

Smashed eggplant on grilled Turkish bread

The eggplant for this yoghurt spread is cooked on an open flame, creating a moreish smoky flavour. Pair with Turkish bread, flatbreads or crackers, to suit your dining needs.

Mains

Baked fish with fennel, peppers and feta

This impressive fish dish can be served straight out of the oven for a rustic touch.

One-pan pork fillet with apple, potato and red cabbage

Slices of green apple and plenty of orange juice add a vibrant flavour to this mouthwatering pork dinner.

Mussel bowls with chorizo, garlic and white wine

Angela Casley adds a bit of spicy chorizo to this bowl of mussels.

Fennel and couscous-stuffed squid

Dinner guests are sure to be impressed with this seafood dish.

Duck breasts with orange and honey barley

Mix up this seasonal salad in one big bowl and divide up each serving at the table, before adding the tender duck breasts for a moment of pause before the meal.

Spaghetti clams and chorizo

This easy spaghetti dish is garlicky and briny and finished with a squeeze of lemon juice.

Crispy potatoes, Brussels sprouts and steak

Textures abound for this serving of steak, dressed with horseradish, sour cream and zingy lemon juice.

Hearty Spanish seafood roast with potatoes, chorizo and fennel

Serve this one-pan seafood medley with a high-quality loaf of bread.

Coconut fish with parmesan chips

Adjust the serving of this delectable fish and chips helping to suit the number of bellies around your table — top with parmesan and herbs.

Peri peri chicken skewers and flatbreads

Skewers are a breezy dish to hand out among hungry patrons. This recipe recommends serving on pre-prepared flatbreads, so you don’t lose any tasty juices.

Desserts

White chocolate tart with tamarillos

Drizzle this dessert with sweet and syrupy new-season tamarillos and enjoy the distinct tart flavours.

Baked bananas with miso, orange and pine nuts

Serve these oven-toasted bananas in a big dish and pair them with hefty scoops of ice cream.

Individual trifles

These sweet desserts, comprised of almond praline, summer fruits and creamy mascarpone, revel in some snappy drama.

Chocolate marshmallow slice

Embrace nostalgic cravings, with this gooey slice with easy at-home marshmallow.

White chocolate, ricotta and berry ripple cheesecake

With a crust of chocolate biscuits and a super-smooth filling, this swirly cheesecake is a lush and impressive dessert.

Vegan brownies with cashews

These fluffy and nutty squares have added acidity with a vibrant raspberry topping (and will please vegan guests).

Victoria sponge cake with berries

Light and fluffy sponge? Berries? Jam? Cream? It’s a tale as old as time.

Chocolate custard eclairs

A pile of these treats in the centre of the table will never disappoint. They’re best served cold.

Pear and goat’s cheese tart

A topping of macadamia nuts grants this pretty dessert an extra crunch.

Mini based alaska

This retro-inspired dessert sees a rich plum ice cream encased in fluffy meringue. You can enjoy a bit of theatre while tucking into these lovely desserts.