30 New Year’s Dinner Ideas

Spicy Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo

I make this spicy shrimp pasta a lot because it's a something my family never seems to get tired of. The sauce is so fast to make I can get it done while the fettuccine is cooking. In the past, I have added red peppers and spinach, but who's to say you could not add mushrooms or more or less spice. —Stephanie Beluk, Sharpsburg, Georgia

Horseradish-Encrusted Beef Tenderloin

Wow friends and family with this tender beef encased in a golden horseradish crust. Roasted garlic boosts the robust flavor even more. —Laura Bagozzi, Dublin, Ohio

Broiled Lobster Tail

No matter where you live, these succulent, buttery lobster tails are just a few minutes away. Here in Iowa, we use frozen lobster with delicious results, but if you're near the ocean, by all means use fresh! —Lauren McAnelly, Des Moines, Iowa

Beef Osso Bucco

Treat holiday guests to elegant comfort food at its best. Our osso bucco beef boasts a thick, savory sauce complemented by the addition of gremolata, a chopped herb condiment made of lemon zest, garlic, and parsley. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Greendale, Wisconsin

Eggplant Rollatini

Want to learn how to cook eggplant? Here's where to start. These authentic eggplant roll-ups may take some time to prepare, but the end result is restaurant-quality. Your family will request this recipe time and again. —Nancy Sousley, Lafayette, Indiana

Spice-Crusted Steaks with Cherry Sauce

If you’re hosting meat lovers, these impressive cast-iron skillet steaks are guaranteed to please. They’re perfect for a special-occasion dinner without too much fuss. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Scallops in Sage Cream

I wanted to show off the ocean freshness of the scallops I bought on the dock from a local fisherman, so I used basic ingredients to showcase them. With sage and shallots, this is the best cream sauce for scallops I've found. —Joan Churchill, Dover, New Hampshire

Beef Daube Provencal

This dish is perfect on cold winter days, especially after we have been out cutting wood or white-tail hunting. If you are lucky enough to have venison, try it here for melt-in-your-mouth goodness. —Brenda Ryan, Marshall, Missouri

Glazed Cornish Hens with Pecan-Rice Stuffing

Cornish hens bake up with a lovely golden brown shine when they are basted with my sweet and tangy glaze. The traditional rice stuffing has some added interest with crunchy pecans and sweet golden raisins.—Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario

Smoked Brisket

This smoked brisket recipe is always a crowd favorite—it really melts in your mouth! —Jodi Abel, La Jolla, California

Miso Butter Roasted Chicken

I love this recipe for its simple front-end prep. Look for a prepared spatchcock chicken in your grocery store. If you can't find one, ask your butcher to spatchcock the chicken. Once it's in the oven, there's ample time to set the table and talk. —Stefanie Schaldenbrand, Los Angeles, California

Traditional Lamb Stew

This lamb stew recipe is a delicious, nourishing and economical dish. The flavor improves if you make the stew the day before you serve it. —Margery Richmond, Fort Collins, Colorado

Ravioli with Creamy Squash Sauce

Store-bought ravioli speeds assembly of this cozy, restaurant-quality dish that taste so good, your family won't notice it's meatless. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Country Chuck Roast with Mushroom Gravy

This tender, savory roast practically melts in your mouth. It looks a bit complex, but the hands-free oven time makes it my go-to company recipe on a cold day. —Mary Kay LaBrie, Clermont, Florida

Cheesy Chicken Parmigiana

My husband used to order chicken parmigiana at restaurants for years. I found this cheesy chicken parmesan recipe in our local newspaper, adjusted it for two and began making this at home. After 50 years of marriage, I still enjoy making his favorite recipes. -Lola Butler, Sun City, California

Lasagna with White Sauce

I'm an old-fashioned country cook and I love preparing simple recipes like this lasagna. White sauce, tomatoes and beef are kitchen staples I normally keep on hand, so it's simple to make this dish on weeknights. —Angie Price, Bradford, Tennessee

Pork Chops with Apples and Stuffing

The heartwarming taste of apples with cinnamon is the perfect accompaniment to tender pork chops. This dish is always a winner with my family. Because it calls for only four ingredients, it's a main course that I can serve with little preparation. —Joan Hamilton, Worcester, Massachusetts

Spanish-Style Paella

If you enjoy cooking ethnic foods, this Spanish paella recipe will be a favorite. It's brimming with generous chunks of sausage, shrimp and veggies.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Easy & Elegant Tenderloin Roast

I love the simplicity of the recipe. Olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper. Just add the tenderloin and pop it in the oven. In an hour or so you’ve got an impressive main dish to feed a crowd. This leaves you with more time to visit with family and less time fussing in the kitchen. —Mary Kandell, Huron, Ohio

Black-Eyed Peas & Ham

Every New Year’s Day we have these slow-cooked black-eyed peas to bring good luck for the coming year. —Dawn Legler, Fort Morgan, Colorado

Orange Pomegranate Salmon

A colorful, festive salmon dish makes an impressive addition to your holiday table—and it is as delicious as it is beautiful. What will no one guess? How easy it is to cook. I serve this with roasted baby potatoes and asparagus for a showstopping meal that is wonderful for special occasions. —Thomas Faglon, Somerset, New Jersey

Gorgonzola Shrimp Pasta

This creamy pasta dish is so quick and easy. It's perfect for weeknights, but feels special enough for company. —Robin Haas, West Roxbury, Massachusetts

Roast Pork with Apples & Onions

The sweetness of the apples and onions nicely complements the roast pork. With its crisp skin and melt-in-your-mouth flavor, this is my family's favorite weekend dinner. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia

Slow-Cooker Burgundy Beef

When my adult children are coming over for dinner, this is the request. All three of them, and their significant others, love this dish. Yum! — Urilla Cheverie, Alfred, Maine

BBQ Chicken and Apple Bread Pudding

To me, bread pudding is the epitome of comfort food and is simply too good to reserve only for dessert. This sweet and savory twist on the classic is a delicious new way to enjoy an old favorite. —Shauna Havey, Roy, Utah

Slow-Cooker Chicken & Dumplings

Here's a homey dish that people just can't wait to dive into! Yes, you can have slow cooker chicken and dumplings from scratch. The homemade classic takes a bit of work but is certainly worth it. —Daniel Anderson, Kenosha, Wisconsin

Blue Cheese-Mushroom Stuffed Tenderloin

Here’s my go-to entree for just about any special occasion. Filled with a savory stuffing, the sliced tenderloin looks and tastes like a specialty from an upscale restaurant. —Joyce Conway, Westerville, Ohio

Lemony Scallops with Angel Hair Pasta

This delicate dish tastes so bright with a touch of lemon and tender sauteed scallops. Serve with crusty whole grain bread, and you have an impressive dinner that comes together in a flash. —Thomas Faglon, Somerset, New Jersey

Glazed Smoked Chops with Pears

My husband would eat pork chops every day if he could. Luckily, they're good prepared in all sorts of ways, including with pears. —Lynn Moretti, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

Salmon with Horseradish Pistachio Crust

Impress everyone at your table with this elegant but easy salmon that's delicious and nutritious. You can substitute scallions for shallots if you like. —Linda Press Wolfe, Cross River, New York