Make-ahead dinner party main course recipes

Barney Desmazery's prepare-ahead recipe for the perfect pork belly will be a sure-fire hit at your next dinner party

Revisit an 80s dinner party classic — the meat fondue. The assembly job can be done before your guests arrive. Make some sauces yourself and buy the rest

Fill sheets of pasta with tomato, aubergine and ricotta for a delicious vegetarian main - perfect for feeding a crowd

Lamb neck is a hugely underused cut, topped with sliced, seasonal root veg, this winter staple is ideal for a budget-conscious family meal or dinner party main

Fish pie doesn't have to mean heavy mashed potato. Light, crisp pastry tops this tomato-based recipe with halibut, sea bass and prawns

An easily assembled recipe for a smart vegetarian main course

A great no-fuss dish for a dinner party

This is a really easy meal to cook for friends - you can make ahead and keep in the fridge for 24 hours

Pork tenderloins are good value and are always very tender and moist, as long as you take care not to overcook them. Serve this dish with saffron rice

Add a little 'mamma mia' to a beef stew with pancetta and oregano, and a crunchy topping of Parmesan-coated potatoes

Using nettles instead of spinach gives the classic spanakopita a spring time twist. Young nettles are a sweet, nutritious and free alternative to spinach

This rib of beef is a real showstopper and packed with umami flavour, but it's so easy to make too. Rub in the porcini powder and salt 24 hours before cooking and let it do the hard work for you

This creamy tropical Indian one-pot is perfect for an informal, help-yourself dinner party with friends

This is easier than you think to make and is so delicious, make double and pop one in the freezer

Bypass stodgy rich pastry and top your Mediterranean bake with slices of ciabatta bread

This warming sausage stew is a perfect make-ahead main, with a rich red wine sauce, chestnuts and a creamy mustard mash

Mary Cadogan demonstrates the technique of boning out a leg of lamb and how to cook it

Marinate lamb with rosemary, then serve with an asparagus, broad bean and spinach salad with juicy sultanas and tangy shallots

This meltingly tender shoulder of lamb can be cooked in stages over a few days - serve as the centrepiece for an Indian feast for friends

Delicious tartlets, perfect for a buffet or light appetiser, just choose your own mix of mushrooms to make it your own

This classic Italian dish of rolled pork belly is stuffed with a deliciously herby, fruity stuffing and has crisp and crunchy crackling

Sticky, tender beef short ribs with a subtle oak-smoked flavour are sure to be a hit at your next barbecue. Prep them the night before in a spice marinade

This sophisticated quiche is easily smart enough for a dinner party