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All the recipes you need to host a last-minute weeknight dinner party

33 ideas fit for a feast that you can totally tackle tonight.

33 ideas fit for a feast that you can totally tackle tonight

Brittany Toole · CBC Life ·
(Credit, left: Leila Ashtari; middle: Betty Binon; right: CBC Life )

Hosting a dinner party on a weeknight? How brave! But actually, you have nothing to fear, because the weeknight dinner party is entirely doable. 

While making delicious dips and freezable casseroles ahead of time is ideal, it certainly isn't essential. Even if you've yet to choose a menu or stop at the grocery store and want to host tonight, this list of recipes is full of excellent last-minute options fit for guests. 

These selects require minimal planning and prep, so you can form a menu that's very makeable and will still feel super special. And because you and your guests deserve dessert, don't forget to check out our quick and easy recos right here. 

Appetizers

Vegan Vibes Board with Cashew Ricotta Cheese

overhead shot of a wooden cutting board on a marble surface. the board is full of vegetables, crackers, breads, olives and vegan cheese.
(Photo: Lisa Dawn Bolton)

Baked Broccoli Stem Dip

An overhead shot of a spread of dishes on a white table, featuring a dish of baked broccoli dip, crackers, breads and vegetables.
(Photography by Leila Ashtari)

Guacamole with Grilled Jalapenos

A bowl of guacamole on a wooden cutting board with tortilla chips on it. Grilled jalapeños, sliced lime and avocado sit next to it.
(Photo: David Bagosy, Styling: Melissa Direnzo)

Honey Roasted Pear & Ricotta Crostini

(CBC Life)

Gruyere and Emmental Fondue

A wooden cutting board with vegetables and a red bowl of cheese fondue.
(CBC Life)

Sweet Pea and Ricotta Dip

overhead shot of a bowl of green pea ricotta dip on a marble tabletop. it's surrounded by plates of vegetables and pitas.
(CBC Life)

Sides and salads

Kale Salad with Tahini Ranch Dressing

Overhead shot of a white serving platter of salad.
(Photo: David Bagosy, Styling: Melissa Direnzo)

Lemon Dijon Snow Peas

Overhead shot of a light blue plate of sautéd snow peas.
(CBC Life)

Grilled Radicchio Salad with Tahini & Chive Dressing

Overhead shot of a platter of grilled radicchio topped with red onion, radish slices and tahini sauce.
(CBC Life)

Grilled Potato Salad

A platter of grilled lettuce, potatoes and sweet potatoes.
(CBC Life)

Warm Winter Salad

Overhead shot of 3 bowls of salad on a wooden table.
(The Goods)

Mains

Delicata Squash and Mushroom Tart

A rectangular tart with slices of delicata squash on it sitting on a dark grey surface. A slice of the tart is sitting on a small wooden plate.
(Photography by Betty Binon)

Paneer Makhani

Closeup on a serving dish of paneer makhani. Pink and purple floral arrangements sit on the left and a plate of naan sits on the right.
(Photography by Betty Binon)

Party Pizza with Fennel, Sundried Tomatoes and Olives

overhead shot of a pizza made on a baking sheet, sitting on a grey wooden surface. the pizza has black olives, fennel, and sundried tomatoes on it.
(Photo: David Bagosy, Styling: Melissa Direnzo)

Kale Stem Pesto

(Photography by Leila Ashtari)

Delicata Squash and Italian Sausage Bake

Overhead shot of a sheet pan on a dark grey surface. Slices of roasted delicata squash, onion, pieces of sausage and roasted rapini are on the pan.
(Photography by Betty Binon)

Rustic Mushroom & Kale Galette

A galette on a wooden cutting board. It's filled with mushrooms, kale and olives.
(CBC Life)

Lentil Shepherd's Pie

(CBC Life)

Skillet Lasagna with an Easy Everyday Tomato Sauce

(Photo: David Bagosy, Styling: Melissa Direnzo)

No-Fry Eggplant Parmesan

overhead shot of a white baking dish with eggplant parmesan in it. it's on a wooden table. a slice is missing from the dish and is sitting on a white plate behind the baking dish.
(Credit: Allison Day)

Celebration Chicken with Sweet Potatoes and Dates

(Photo credit: David Loftus)

Sheet Pan Shrimp and Pineapple Tacos

Overhead shot of a sheet pan on a wooden table. The pan has roasted shrimp and pieces of pineapple on it. 2 white plates with tortillas on them sit next to the pan.
(Photo: David Bagosy, Styling: Melissa Direnzo)

Low-Prep, High-Flavour Porcini Risotto

(Photography by Jack Roy)

Paella del Carmen

(Photography by Ryan Szulc)

Jamie Oliver's Asian-Style Sea Bass with Sticky Rice & Dressed Greens

(Credit: David Loftus)

Buckwheat Noodles and Assorted Vegetables with Gochujang Vinaigrette

(Photography by Leela Ceed)

Baked Salmon with Fennel and Blood Orange

Overhead shot of a mint green serving platter with baked salmon, fennel, orange slices and green olives on it.
(CBC Life)

Chicken Cacciatore Sheet Pan Dinner

Overhead shot of a sheet pan with roasted chicken thighs, tomatoes, and pieces of mushrooms, red pepper and onion on it. It's sitting on a grey wooden surface with the fresh ingredients scattered around the pan.
(Photo: David Bagosy; Styling: Melissa Direnzo)

Jamie Oliver's Sausage Gnocchi with Warm Kale & Bean Salad

(Credit: David Loftus)

Drinks

Bicicletta

(Photo credit: Sarah Hogan)

Rebujito

(Photo credit: Sarah Hogan)

El Bosco's Signature (Spicy) Margarita

(Photography by Ashley Gollogly)

Lidia Bastianich's An Italian In Manhattan

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