what to cook for new year's eve
last-minute dinner ideas for tomorrow!
On Saturday I shared good luck soup for you to cook on New Year’s Day (collards! black eyed peas! pork!) — today I’m back with some last-minute meal and menu ideas for NYE!
Sometimes I’m in the mood to cook a fancy dinner for adults only complete with apps, a salad course, an impressive entrée, and dessert. If that’s not doable (as in, if my friends and I can’t find sitters), I’ll make it a casual, kid-friendly drop-in situation. Sometimes we just stay home and cook a fun dinner with the kids and go to bed by 9pm!
Whatever your scenario is for tomorrow night, here are my recs for what you should cook.
Fun drink ideas no matter the vibe of your night!
A pitcher of strawberry-lemon margaritas (raspberry-lemon would also be great!)
Apps for dinner is an excellent way to ring in the new year and is ideal for a family-friendly drop-in event. Make a handful of hearty apps to ensure people get their fill, then have guests bring their own favorite appetizer or a dessert to round things out.
Stupid simple one-pot mac + cheese — cook it as written, OR make it fancy by adding lobster or crab meat!
Fancy piggies (always a hit for kids and adults alike)
Tomato feta dip (it’s SO good)
Chicken flautas (kids love these!!) or black bean flautas
Sausage balls (another major kid hit!)
Crudités with creamy pesto
30-minute chicken parm meatballs — see the notes section for how to turn this meal into an app!
The following are full menu ideas for if kids aren’t involved and you want to make a NIGHT of it with friends!
MENU IDEA 1:
Grilled brie + grapes (but baked unless you live somewhere warm — see the notes section for how to bake them instead!)
Caviar! Fancy potato chip + a dollop of crème fraîche + a dollop of caviar spooned straight from the tin! I let guests DIY, but you can also pre-make each bite and serve it like a canapé.
Winter salad served before the main course
A homemade Funfetti cake brought out with sparkler candles, or individual peppermint pots de creme
MENU IDEA 2:
Follow one of my easy-but-fancy holiday meal plans!! You can do this year’s starring cider-braised roast or last year’s with California Christmas roast
MENU IDEA 3:
Follow this NYE dinner party menu I mapped out two years ago. Pink party punch and ranch water for bevs. Mini crab cakes, cream cheese and pepper jelly (duh), and a cheese board for apps. Kale Caesar salad, grilled flank steak with creamy pesto, and pasta alla vodka for the main event. Crunch cake or pots de crème for dessert. You can make the Caesar dressing and croutons as well as the vodka sauce up to 24 hours in advance and then just toss it all together when you’re ready to eat!
If you don’t need a *party menu* but do want to cook something special for you and your fam or a couple friends, here are some WTC meals that would make a beautiful and festive special occasion supper all on their own. Dress the table with a table cloth, light lots of candles, and pour some champagne and/or sparkling grape juice!
And here are a few WTC meals that are simple, delicious, and cozy if you’re in the mood for dinner on the couch!
What are your NYE plans?! Will you be cooking? Do you actually stay up till midnight?!
Is there another link for the tomato feta dip? It goes to an Instagram reel (that is also helpful haha).
We're doing Cinco de New Years- taco meat in the crockpot, and now I might add flautas (thanks!), with a "ball drop" at 5pm for the kids