35 Easy New Year’s Eve Dinner Ideas to Ring in 2024

These simple New Year’s Eve dinner ideas are the best way to celebrate before the ball drops!

From entrees and sides to a shimmering champagne cocktail, ring in the new year with these delightful dishes.

35 Fancy New Year’s Eve Dinner Recipes

No matter what kind of year it’s been, going out to celebrate New Year’s can be stressful and expensive. 

But even if you’re celebrating at home, there’s no reason the night can’t be just as special!

The final evening of the year is the best time to finally try out that coq au vin recipe or flex your culinary skills with some perfectly seared scallops. 

Make your New Year’s party a feast to remember with these delicious New Year’s dinner ideas.

New Year’s Eve Appetizers

Gold Shimmery Champagne Cocktail

Raising a glass of champagne to ring in the New Year is so last year.

But clinking some champagne cocktails? That’s how I plan to start my next 12 months!

The elderflower flavor adds something warm and comforting to the drink. And the gold luster swirled throughout practically screams, “Happy New Year!”

Julia Child’s French Onion Soup

Hands down, this is my favorite soup!

It’s so simple in theory and includes onions, beef broth, bread, and cheese.

And when you make it in these adorable mini-cast-iron dishes, it just steals the show!

Beef broth is the base that gives this soup its hearty flavor. I recommend adding extra bread and cheese to the top.

Lobster Bisque

The key to nailing this excellent soup is to follow the steps to the letter and keep an eye on it. 

The ingredients are added in a specific order to enhance all those unique flavors and create just the right amount of thickness. 

And don’t use low-fat cream! This is a creamy bisque that needs every last calorie.

Stuffed Mushrooms

Get the party started the right way by serving these stuffed mushroom appetizers!

These bite-sized goodies are full of the goodness of crab meat. They’re the perfect thing to nosh on while you’re waiting for the main event.

You might want to consider doubling the recipe. Nobody will be able to stop at just one!

Oysters Rockefeller

Since these oysters can be grilled or broiled, you can make them no matter where you live!

They’re topped with spinach, Parmesan, bacon, and panko breadcrumbs. You can serve these oysters as an appetizer or main course.

Making this dish is enough to give anyone pro-chef vibes!

Chicken Pot Pie Soup

If you’re a fan of chicken pot pie, you won’t want to miss this recipe! It has all the goodness you know and love in a slurpable soup form.

This dish is cozy, comforting, and is guaranteed to warm you up on the last night of the year.

Cuddle up in front of the fire and indulge in a hot bowl of pure goodness this New Year’s Eve.

Dinner Ideas

Southern New Year’s Day Dinner Skillet

New Year’s Day is for sleeping, watching TV, and spending time with loved ones. 

It’s also usually the day we all look for healthier meals to compensate for the overindulgence during Christmas. 

This one-pot wonder has everything you need to start the year right, and it’s ready in less than 30 minutes.

Honey Glazed Salmon Recipe

Salmon has such an excellent color and flavor, and I don’t think we give it enough credit. 

All you need is honey and soy, and an extra drizzle of lime to make this the best salmon you’ve ever made. 

The flour will help give the finished fish a lovely crust and allow the glaze to stick all over. 

Osso Bucco (Braised Beef Shanks Recipe)

This dish looks intimidating. Most people don’t think they can achieve that fall-off-the-bone-tender beef you get in restaurants. 

The key is to cook it low and slow.  

It’s always a good idea to sear your meat before adding it to a pot. It helps to keep it juicy and provides so much extra flavor.

Individual Beef Wellingtons

If you’re having guests for a New Year’s Eve party, this recipe is guaranteed to impress!

This classic dish of filet mignon wrapped in puff pastry is indulgent, elegant, and irresistible.

If you want to spend more time toasting your family and friends, this recipe can be made ahead of time. It’s the perfect way to send the year off with a bang!

Easiest Brisket with Caramelized Onions

When you give it some love, brisket can be the most tender cut of meat around. 

But don’t expect to have this dish ready in an hour.

It needs a low-and-slow cook to help break down the proteins and create a butter-like texture.

I like to use my slow cooker for this, cooking it all day until it’s so soft, you don’t need a knife. 

Guinness Beef Stew

I’ve been lucky enough to spend New Year’s in a lot of different places.

But when I’m home in the cold weather, there’s nothing like a blanket over your knees and a bowl of stew to keep you warm.

This recipe is brimming with tender chunks of beef coupled with the iconic flavor of Guinness. You’ll love it!

Lamb Stew Recipe

Lamb has such a unique flavor, and I’ll admit that I don’t cook with it often enough. 

Since it tends to be firmer in texture than a cut of beef, I love this slow-cooked stew. 

Much like a traditional beef stew, this will get cooked gently until the meat is absolutely perfect. 

Classic Coq Au Vin

Can I tell you a secret? Coq au vin is just a fancy chicken stew with bacon and onions.

Much like with a beef stew, you need to cook the chicken until the skin is lovely and crisp.

Once the vegetables are soft, you’ll be adding red wine, broth, and brandy, allowing it to deglaze the pot and start to thicken. 

Sweet Pea Risotto with Basil & Pancetta

This risotto is light, delicious, and a true show-stopper.

If you’ve never made risotto before, there are a couple of extra steps involved. 

The first step is to lightly toast the dry rice in the onion and oil. 

Second, add the liquid in steps. Add it a little at a time, allowing it to absorb completely before adding any more. 

This is the key to getting that fabulous creamy texture.

Stuffed Pork Chops

If you can, I highly recommend getting your pork chops from a butcher.

The ones you find in the supermarket tend to be relatively thin. I think they’re so much better when they’re thick and juicy.

With this recipe, they get stopped with stuffing instead of actually stuffed. It’s an easy dish the entire family will love.

Bacon-Wrapped Filet Mignon

Filet mignon can be a fantastic cut of meat when cooked properly. 

And let’s be honest, this is one impressive-looking dish!

One thing I do differently is to sear my bacon a little after searing the beef. This ensures a nice crispy texture after the bake. 

Use a cast-iron skillet so it can get nice and hot for the first cook.

Then, you can transfer it right into the oven for a longer roast. 

Mississippi Pot Roast

When it comes to crowd-pleasing meals, you can’t go wrong with a classic pot roast. 

And since this recipe comes together in the slow cooker, you can spend more time enjoying the night’s festivities!

If you’ve never tried the Mississippi version, you’re in for a treat. Pepperoncini peppers give it a flavor that can’t be topped.

Easy Homemade Ricotta Gnocchi

I’ve always been a massive fan of gnocchi, but this recipe with ricotta is something else!

Unlike traditional mashed potato gnocchi, which can be a little finicky, this recipe is so easy. Even the kids can join in on the fun!

Once the five ingredients are mixed into a dough, roll it into logs and cut your portions. 

Gnocchi needs to be boiled and will rise to the surface when ready.

Authentic Hoppin’ John Recipe

This Southern classic is a must-make on New Year’s Eve.

Full of bacon, Andouille sausage, peppers, chilis, and Cajun seasoning, it hits all the right notes to spice up your night. 

This dish holds really well, so you could even make it up a day or two in advance and let the flavors marry in the fridge. 

Cracker Barrel Meatloaf Recipe

Sometimes, all you want is a comforting plate full of nostalgia, and meatloaf has that in spades. 

Cracker Barrel has everyone beat when it comes to meatloaf. Adding Ritz crackers instead of breadcrumbs? Absolute genius!

It might not be Michelin-star food, but it’s always delicious. 

Red Wine Cranberry Braised Short Ribs

Short ribs are another luxurious dish perfect for special occasions like New Year’s Eve.

This one-pot dinner is easy to make and even easier to devour. The combination of cranberries and red wine is just to die for.

Serve the short ribs over mashed potatoes to soak up all the delicious juices.

Seared Scallops with Hazelnut Butter and Mascarpone

Overcooked scallops can become rubbery and are enough to deter you from making them at all. 

But when they’re done right, they’re light little bites of buttery goodness. 

And this recipe with hazelnut butter and mascarpone doesn’t get much better!

This dish is decadent yet easy to put together. Just be sure not to overcook the scallops!

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

This tempting casserole has everything you love about the classic recipe in a convenient one-pot meal.

It’s made with egg noodles, chicken, ham, and Swiss cheese. All of those delicious layers get smothered in a creamy sauce.

This dish is fancy enough for New Year’s Eve but easy enough for busy weeknights, too.

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

This is another creamy chicken dish no one can possibly resist. The combination of cherry tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, and spinach is savory and delicious.

It’s reminiscent of the Tuscan chicken at Olive Garden, but you can enjoy it in the comfort of your own home.

Serve it over buttered noodles or mashed potatoes for the ultimate feast.

Million-Dollar Chicken Casserole

This dish has an expensive name, but it’s budget-friendly and tastes like a million bucks!

It’s packed with chicken, cream cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese, and cream of chicken soup. It’s velvety and luxurious.

And the Ritz cracker crumb topping is the icing on the cake.

Peri Peri Chicken

This tasty chicken dish comes with a kick! It’s seasoned with garlic, chili, paprika, and red wine vinegar for a savory flavor everyone loves.

While the recipe only takes about 40 minutes in the oven, you’ll want to marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours.

If you have time, marinate it the day before and leave it in the fridge overnight.

Once your guests try this chicken, they’ll beg for the recipe!

Grilled Shrimp Salad with Avocado Vinaigrette

If you’re looking for something on the lighter side, you can’t go wrong with this shrimp salad.

And since it’s made on the grill, this recipe is best for those in warmer climates.

While the salad is low-carb, it features grilled ciabatta to bulk it up and soak up the tempting dressing.

It’s truly a meal fit for a king.

Spiced Pomegranate and Orange Glazed Ham

If you like serving classic dishes for holiday dinners, this glazed ham is right up your alley.

It’s sweet, savory, and the meat couldn’t be more succulent. As a bonus, you’ll have plenty of leftovers to make sandwiches on New Year’s Day.

This ham is the gift that keeps on giving.

Crab and Shrimp Stuffed Salmon

Speaking of stuffed dishes! Salmon is delicious enough on its own. But when you fill it with crab, shrimp, spinach, Boursin cheese, Parmesan, and garlic?

You get a dish even royals would find over the top.

As fancy as this recipe is, you can whip it up in 30 minutes or less. It’s guaranteed to be met with smiles!

Pistachios and Pesto Crusted Rack of Lamb

If you’re looking for a true show-stopping dish for New Year’s Eve, this is it!

The presentation alone is enough to make anyone’s mouth water. But just wait until you bite into the tender meat coupled with the pistachio crust.

Served with some rosemary potatoes and light green salad, this holiday meal reigns supreme.

New Year’s Side Dishes

Black-Eyed Pea Salad

This traditional Southern salad is a must for New Year’s Eve. After all, black-eyed peas bring good luck.

Loaded with beans, corn, tomatoes, onion, peppers, and cucumber, it’s crunchy, sweet, and packed with nutrients. 

If you’re traveling with it, store the dressing in a separate tub and give it a good shake before mixing through the salad.

Bisquick Cornbread Recipe

Having a selection of sides is essential at any feast.

I especially love cornbread since it’s great finger food and pairs well with almost anything. 

And what’s better than a speedy Bisquick version to keep your prep time low?

Since it’s so easy to make, why not make a couple of batches? Add jalapenos to one and lots of mature cheddar to the other.

Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

I don’t think any feast is complete without a bowl of mac and cheese. 

I especially love this recipe because it uses butternut squash.

It gives a lovely color, but it also adds a sweetness to the dish and a helping of veggies on every plate.

It’s a win-win!

Fettuccine Alfredo

There’s nothing wrong with playing it safe and cooking up a bowl of something you know will be a hit. 

Fettuccine Alfredo is the perfect side dish to make everyone happy. Yes, side dish.

The sauce is a simple mixture of garlic, butter, cream, and cheese. You can have it on the table in around a half-hour.

And it pairs great with salmon, steak, and more!