Make-ahead dinner party main course recipes

This stunning filo pastry pie is a twist on a lamb tagine. A hearty main meal that wouldn't look out of place on any dinner-party table

Make this fantastic vegan beetroot, sweet potato, chard and celeriac rainbow-layered pie as a stunning centrepiece for a meat-free Christmas or dinner party

Make this classic bake, also known as melanzane parmigiana, for guests. It's made with tomato, aubergine and vegetarian mozzarella, and garnished with parmesan-style cheese

Prepare this easy homemade lasagne ahead of time and save in the freezer, uncooked, for when you need it during a busy week. Just bake for an extra 45 mins

Still a relatively cheap cut, pork belly yields beautiful soft flesh and crisp crackling when slow-roasted.

Serve this quick, creamy courgette & ricotta lasagne for a last-minute dinner party to impress vegetarian friends. It's a great way to use courgettes when they're in season

Lamb shanks are good value, and as each one is a portion, serving is a cinch. You can braise the shanks up to two days ahead

This fruity, Moroccan-style lamb tagine is full of goodness and guaranteed to satisfy a crowd. Save time and make this easy one-pot up to two days ahead

The secret to this rich beef casserole is to use all wine and no stock. Our ultimate beef bourguignon recipe is an instant comforting classic, full of satisfying flavours.

A great dinner party dish that can be prepared 24 hours ahead, leaving just the sauce to prepare on the day

Our French onion soup is deliciously rich and easy to make at home. This savoury soup is perfect for using up a garden glut and great for dinner parties

Creamy chicken and mushroom dish - a fabulous French seasonal recipe

A crisp pastry case and a just-set creamy filling, quiche is a good solution to any meal dilemma from dinner parties, suppers, picnics and even afternoon tea

A wonderfully aromatic North African lamb casserole with a citrus tang - great for dinner parties

Head to your spice rack to make this butter chicken curry, a dish that symbolises Indian food for millions of people all over the world

This French bistro classic is easy to make at home and fabulous with creamy mash or crusty bread

Use a slow cooker to make this beef topside for Sunday lunch – the whole family will love it. Slow cooking makes the meat so tender and gives it a real depth of flavour

Add a modern-day twist to a classic bolognese with Tom Kerridge's exquisite beef ragout. Serve with hand-cut pappardelle pasta for a great dinner party dish

A veggie dinner party dish which stands alone as a vegan main course or as a complex side dish perfect served with spiced roast meat or fish.

Entertaining doesn't have to equal stress, this spruced up one-pot is perfect for people with little time for preparation

Try this delicious way to prepare the Christmas bird, with bay leaves, lemon and stuffing - perfect flavours to compliment your festive dinner

Bake a satisfying vegetarian loaf with lentils, chestnut mushrooms and cheese to go with all the classic roast dinner trimmings.

Salmon and smoked haddock are perfect partners in this creamy, cheesy fish dish - freeze ahead and thaw for a make-ahead dinner party main

Mix up your festive main with this fabulous Christmas dinner wellington. A make-ahead meal in one, it incorporates stuffing and cranberry sauce, so all you need to think about on the big day is the veg and gravy