Whether you’re hosting an elegant dinner party or a casual get-together with friends, serving an impressive meal is key to keeping your guests happy. Start your soirée off right with an appetizer of roasted red pepper hummus and crudité. The combination of chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and roasted red peppers makes a creamy and flavorful dip for fresh veggies like carrots, celery, and cherry tomatoes.

For the main course, a dish of chicken cordon bleu is always a crowd pleaser. Pound chicken breasts until evenly thin, then layer with ham and cheese. Roll up and bread the chicken breasts before baking until the chicken is cooked through and the breading is golden brown. The melted cheese and ham in each bite will have your guests raving.

If you want to serve a special seafood dish, lobster tail is a luxurious option. Simply split the lobster tails, brush with butter and your favorite spices, and broil in the oven just until the lobster meat is opaque and firm. The sweet, briny flavor of lobster is perfect for a special occasion. Serve with lemon wedges, melted butter for drizzling, and a side of asparagus for a complete, elegant meal.

For a memorable vegetarian entree, a mushroom and goat cheese tart is impressive yet easy to make. Sauté cremini mushrooms with shallots and thyme, then spread the mixture over a sheet of puff pastry. Top with crumbled goat cheese, fold the pastry over, seal the edges, and bake until the pastry is golden. The earthy mushrooms pair perfectly with the tangy goat cheese in this sophisticated dish.

A cheese plate is always a welcome sight at the end of a dinner party. Offer a selection of soft and hard cheeses, like brie, aged gouda, and manchego, along with accompaniments like fig jam, marcona almonds, olives, cornichons, and crusty bread. Your guests will appreciate the variety and being able to sample different flavor profiles. A classic dessert like crème brûlée or chocolate soufflés will put the finishing touch on your elegant meal. Impress your friends with a homemade treat and coffee or after-dinner drinks.