7 Special Occasion Dinners

Some dinners are easy. Some are quick enough for busy weeknights. And then there are the meals you make when you want the evening to feel a little more memorable. These special occasion dinner recipes fall into that category.

Red wine braised short ribs over mashed potatoes

Special occasion dinners don’t have to be intimidating!

cookbook author erin clarke of well plated

If the phrase “special occasion dinners” fills you with a sense of panic, first: breathe.

You don’t need complicated techniques or an ingredient list that tallies up to more than you spend on groceries in an average month.

My favorite special occasion dinners are celebratory without feeling stressful. They’re a little fancier than your average weeknight meal, but they don’t have me in a frenzy trying to put it all together before my guests arrive. And you don’t have to have a long list of obscure, expensive ingredients to make them happen either.

Whether you’re celebrating a promotion with your significant other or putting together a dinner party with friends, here are some of my favorite recipes for special occasions!

Butternut Squash Lasagna

Creamy butternut squash layered with cheese and pasta feels rich and cozy, but it’s also a nice change of pace from your typical lasagna recipe. It’s also great if you’ve got vegetarians at the table!

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Red wine braised short rib pasta with mashed potatoes in a gray bowl

Braised Short Ribs

Few things feel more luxurious than fork-tender short ribs. The slow braise transforms them into something deeply savory and comforting, while the rich sauce practically demands mashed potatoes or crusty bread nearby.

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Seared Scallops

Scallops have a way of making dinner feel instantly restaurant-worthy. The crisp golden crust and tender center are impressive, but they cook surprisingly quickly once you know the technique.

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Rack of Lamb

Tender, flavorful, and beautifully roasted, rack of lamb is a classic that never goes out of style. This is a show-stopper for a holiday dinner.

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Oven Baked Ham

This baked ham is another favorite for holidays and whenever you need a main dish for a crowd. (Selfishly, I also love that I can enjoy the leftovers all week long!)

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Chicken Marbella

Sweet, savory, briny, and deeply flavorful, this retro dinner-party classic has endured for a reason. The olives, capers, and prunes create a flavor combination that sounds unusual on paper but totally works.

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Stuffed Pork Tenderloin

This feels like the kind of dinner people assume took far more effort than it actually did. The filling adds flavor, texture, and a beautiful presentation once sliced.

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