Entertaining Entrées

Whether you are a first-time hostess or a seasoned planner, these main dish recipes will inspire delicious get-togethers year-round.

Grilled Tri-Tip with Citrus-Chile Butter

Photo: John Kernick

Grilled Tri-Tip with Citrus-Chile Butter

Rethink steak night! Serve grilled lean tri-tip with a zesty citrus butter made with lime and lemon zest, fresh thyme, and jalapeño peppers.

Fennel-Crusted Rib Roast Recipes

Photo by Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Fennel-Crusted Rib Roast

Test Kitchen Secrets: Ask the grocery store butcher to "french" or trim the meat around the bones. Be sure to roast to an internal temperature of 120º. The roast's temperature continues to rise, ensuring a perfect medium-rare in the center and ends that are more medium to medium-well.

Sweet Tea-Brined Chicken

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Sweet Tea-Brined Chicken

A hint of tea, brown sugar, and rosemary makes up the marinade for this grilled chicken. The combination is irresistible!

Herb-and-Potato Chip-Crusted Beef Tenderloin

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Herb-and-Potato Chip-Crusted Beef Tenderloin

Add a little crunch to a juicy beef tenderloin with a flavorful coating of panko breadcrumbs, kettle-cooked potato chips, and fresh herbs. Top each serving with a bit of Cherry Chutney and blue cheese crumbles.

Spicy Fruit-Stuffed Pork Loin with Roasted Pears and Onions

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Spicy Fruit-Stuffed Pork Loin with Roasted Pears and Onions

A sweet-and-spicy fruit mixture fills this juicy pork loin, and pear preserves make a delectable glaze. You won't even need a centerpiece if this is on the menu.

Mustard-and-Wine Pork Tenderloin

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Mustard-and-Wine Pork Tenderloin

A mustard-wine marinade keeps this tenderloin juicy and full of flavor. It's surprisingly easy for such an elegant meal.

Classic Lasagna Recipes

Photo by Beau Gustafson

Classic Lasagna

Use these tips to make our Test Kitchen's favorite lasagna in advance.

- Sauce can be made ahead. Let cool 30 minutes. Cover and chill up to 24 hours, or freeze up to 1 month.
- Make lasagna the day before: Prepare as directed through Step 3. Cover and chill up to 24 hours. Let stand 30 minutes before baking.
- Freeze lasagna 1 month ahead: Wrap unbaked lasagna with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Freeze. Thaw 12 hours in refrigerator. Let stand 30 minutes; unwrap and bake as directed.
 

 

Grilled Pork Roast

Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Grilled Pork Roast

The robust herb crust of Grilled Pork Roast pairs beautifully with sweet-tart Fruit Compote. Keep leftover compote for up to two weeks and serve with goat cheese or Brie and crusty bread for a wonderful snack or appetizer. 

Chicken Scaloppine With Spinach and Linguine

Jennifer Davick

Chicken Scaloppine With Spinach and Linguine

Looking for an easy dinner-party dish? Try Chicken Scaloppine With Spinach and Linguine. For fast assembly, measure out and prep ingredients before guests arrive.

 

Smoked Paprika Pork Roast with Sticky Stout Barbecue Sauce

Smoked Paprika Pork Roast with Sticky Stout Barbecue Sauce

We "dry-brine" this pork before grilling it with a salt-and-sugar mixture to make it extra flavorful and juicy. The Sticky Stout Barbecue Sauce boosts the flavor and juiciness even more.

Asian Pork Wraps

Jennifer Davick

Asian Pork Wraps

Save time in the kitchen by picking up pork from a local barbecue joint. Have your guests assemble their own wraps to add an interactive element to your party.

 

Roasted Pork Belly with Late Harvest-Peaches and Arugula

Photo: Squire Fox

Roasted Pork Belly with Late Harvest-Peaches and Arugula

This roasted pork belly is succulent and full of natural flavors. The garnish of peaches and arugula are cooked and seasoned with sherry vinegar, honey, and fresh thyme.

Italian Brunch Casserole

Italian Brunch Casserole

This make-ahead, colorful casserole dish features sweet Italian sausage, roasted red bell peppers, and green onions. For a side dish, feature a Grits Bar and let guests pick their favorite flavors and toppings. 

 

Italian Sirloin Steaks

Charles Walton IV

Italian Sirloin Steaks

With a little help from the grill, pulling off an enchanting evening in your own backyard has never been easier. These Italian Sirloin Steaks flavored with garlic, oregano, basil and parsley can be marinated the night before and grilled when it's time to eat.

Pork Roast Sandwiches

Jennifer Davick

Pressed Cuban, Italian-Style & Barbecue Sandwiches

Any way you serve it, you'll rake in the compliments. Start with a pork loin roast or Boston butt, and offer an assortment of melt-in-your-mouth sandwiches. Alternate them between white or natural parchment paper on a tray for an enticing display. We guarantee they'll be gone almost as soon as you serve them.

Our Favorite Casserole

William Dickey / Styling: Melanie Clarke / Food Styling: Pam Lolley

King Ranch Chicken Casserole

Spiked with tomatoes and green chiles, creamy layers of chopped cooked chicken and corn tortillas make this Texas casserole too tempting to resist. It’s super-easy to fix for a crowd, and always a hit.

 

Southern-Stuffed Rosemary Chicken

Southern-Stuffed Rosemary Chicken

This surprisingly easy recipe takes less than an hour to prepare and consistently receives top ratings from reviewers. Chicken breasts are stuffed with toasted pecans and cornbread stuffing, then topped with a creamy sauce, parmesan cheese, and chopped fresh rosemary. 

 

Chalupa Dinner Bowl Nachos

Charles Walton IV

Chalupa Dinner Bowl Nachos

This fresh and flavorful twist on traditional Tex-Mex fare has easy make-ahead options. Pork loin roast and pinto beans spiced with Mexican seasonings in Chalupa Dinner Bowl Nachos are a come-back-for-seconds treat.

Spinach Lasagna Rollups

William Dickey / Styling: Rose Nguyen

Spinach Lasagna Rollups

Rolling the lasagna noodles rather than layering them lends flair to these satisfying meat-free rollups. 

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