Dinner with friends? 17 tasty and original recipes that win everyone over

Tuesday 17 February 2026 15:30 - Daniele Mainieri
Dinner with friends? 17 tasty and original recipes that win everyone over

Have you invited friends over for dinner and want to take them out of the usual routine? Forget the same old recipes. Here you will find original, tasty and surprising ideas, perfect for a casual but impressive dinner party.

These are dishes that play with familiar ingredients but turn them into something new, creative and irresistible. Recipes designed to surprise without complicating life, ideal for those who love to cook with taste and a hint of boldness.


Why they will like these recipes

  • combine familiar flavors with new and surprising ideas
  • have mouthwatering presentations that win you over at first glance
  • are clever and practical, perfect even when time is short
  • they stimulate the desire to taste and share
  • they create conviviality, one of the elements that many food professionals say enhances mealtime pleasure

The great classic reinvented

A clever idea that takes an iconic flavor and turns it into something more practical and quick. It appeals because it is familiar but different, perfect for surprising without unsettling.

Big mac-style wraps, quick, practical and economicalRecipe Big mac-style wraps, quick, practical and economical

Fancy a burger without breaking out the buns? These Big Mac-style wraps are THE perfect solution: all the mythical taste of the cult sandwich, in a rolled-up version that's easy to eat and ready in a flash. You'll find golden-brown steak, crunchy...

A light appetizer but full of character

Here the game is all about the contrast between crunchiness and softness. A proposal that convinces even those who think they don't like vegetables.

Air fryer eggplant rolls - involtiniRecipe Air fryer eggplant rolls - involtini

Here's a great zero-waste recipe for using up eggplant: eggplant rolls in the air fryer ! We chose to fill them with mozzarella and smoked bacon, but you can also try them with cooked ham or Parmesan cheese. In less than 20 minutes, you'll have...

The appetizer that ends too quickly

Crunchy, spicy and irresistible. It is the kind of dish that "disappears" from the plate in minutes. Ideal to serve while chatting, without formality.

Garnished nachos perfect for an aperitif dinner!Recipe Garnished nachos perfect for an aperitif dinner!

In the mood for a different kind of aperitif that will delight everyone? These topped nachos are the perfect way to share a convivial, ultra-gourmet moment! Crispy tortilla chips , melting cheese, well-seasoned meat, fresh vegetables, homemade...

When bread becomes the protagonist

A perfect idea to put in the center of the table. Crispy on the outside, stringy on the inside, it's one of those dishes you share with your hands and instantly set the mood. Ideal for breaking the ice and opening the evening the right way.

Tartiflette-style stuffed hedgehog breadRecipe Tartiflette-style stuffed hedgehog bread

Tartiflette-style stuffed hedgehog bread is the perfect ally for cocooning evenings or aperitifs with friends in autumn and winter! Imagine a good country loaf , crisp to perfection, topped with pieces of melting Reblochon cheese , golden bacon...

The anti-waste idea that surprises

Creative, modern and with an international twist. It is proof that even leftovers can become the stars of an original dinner party.

Omelette with crispy rice and soybeans, a spicy meal that's quick and waste-free!Recipe Omelette with crispy rice and soybeans, a spicy meal that's quick and waste-free!

This omelette combines pre-cooked basmati rice sautéed in neutral oil, enriched with a Korean fermented chili paste ( gochujang ) and butter for a savory base. Beaten eggs are poured over crispy rice and cooked covered, then topped with edamame...

The street food taste, home version

Recalls one of the world's most beloved foods, but in an easy version suitable for everyone. Perfect for those who love bold flavors and recipes that take your mind on a journey.

Lavash kebab with tortillas, the famous easy oven-baked kebabs!Recipe Lavash kebab with tortillas, the famous easy oven-baked kebabs!

A kebab-style mille-feuille ? That's exactly what this recipe for homemade lavash kebab is all about, with tortillas and fragrant minced meat. There's no need for a rotisserie or grill here: the skewers are assembled layer by layer, then baked in...

When the base changes everything

A quick and clever dish that replaces the classic dough with something more practical. The result is light, tasty and perfect for a stress-free dinner.

A quiche with a tortilla crust? it's possible! a light recipe, perfect for summer!Recipe A quiche with a tortilla crust? it's possible! a light recipe, perfect for summer!

No puff pastry on hand and a sudden craving for quiche ? We've got the perfect solution: a tortilla as a base! Yes, the one you have left over from your fajita party! It's ultra-convenient, light and a great way to get by. Just add a simple filling...

Comfort food that comes from afar

Inspired by American cuisine, this dish is rich, flavorful and incredibly satisfying. Perfect for a casual dinner, it conquers because it is hearty, convivial and impossible to ignore.

Sloppy joes style burgerRecipe Sloppy joes style burger

This is an American recipe. A different kind of burger, without mayonnaise, lettuce, pickles, or cheese. But it doesn't need any of that; the flavorful filling pairs perfectly with the milk bun. Some may recognize it from the movie 'It Takes Two.'...

Small bites, big success

Easy to prepare, easy to eat. They are ideal to start dinner or to accompany an appetizer, and everyone always likes them.

Crispy tuna fritters with air fryer: an irresistible aperitif!Recipe Crispy tuna fritters with air fryer: an irresistible aperitif!

Beware, here's our new aperitif addiction : super-easy and quick tuna fritters made with the Air Fryer! Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, they can be served as an aperitif with a yoghurt sauce , or accompanied by a green salad for a...

Freshness that conquers

Colorful, fragrant and surprising. This proposal works because it plays on the balance between sweetness and acidity, perfect even in warmer seasons.

Avocado toast with mango and lime: a fresh, quick and flavorful recipeRecipe Avocado toast with mango and lime: a fresh, quick and flavorful recipe

Looking for an original idea for breakfast, brunch or a healthy and light snack? Avocado toast with mango and lime is the perfect choice. Creamy avocado , ripe mango and lime juice come together in a fresh and surprising mix , enhanced with a...

The gratin that brings everyone together

A reassuring, stringy and super convivial dish. Ideal when you want to play it safe without sacrificing taste.

What to do with tortillas? ham, spinach and mozzarella crinkle cakeRecipe What to do with tortillas? ham, spinach and mozzarella crinkle cake

Got some tortillas lying around? Turn them into a delicious crinkle-cake gratin ! With just a few simple ingredients, you'll have a complete, gourmet dish in no time at all. The combination of ham, spinach and mozzarella is a classic that works...

A plant-based alternative that convinces

Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, they are one of those recipes that make even the most skeptical forget about meat.

Pea and feta meatballs in airfryer: tasty and super quick to prepare!Recipe Pea and feta meatballs in airfryer: tasty and super quick to prepare!

Simple ingredients, just a few minutes of preparation and you have a tasty dish to bring to the table: pea, feta and mint meatballs cooked in an air fryer are a great vegetarian alternative to traditional meatballs . They are very versatile and...

Uncomplicated elegance

A vegetarian offering that is striking in its appearance and sticks in the mind for its flavor. Perfect for those who like to bring something different to the table.

Savory crinkle cake with goat cheese and honeyRecipe Savory crinkle cake with goat cheese and honey

You already know our sweet version of Crinkle cake , this delicious and ultraaa crispy Turkish cake , well today we decided to opt for a savory variant with a combo that we love: goat cheese and honey :-) Cut into small pieces for an aperitif, or...

A great classic, modern version

Inspired by tradition, but revisited in a lighter and more practical way. It is one of those recipes that tastes like home, but with a current twist.

Air fryer spanish croquetas: little oil but still just as crispy!Recipe Air fryer spanish croquetas: little oil but still just as crispy!

Ham croquetas tapas are a classic of Spanish cuisine that we all love! But sometimes it happens that they are a little greasy from the frying , and for that we have the solution: Air Fryer cooking ! With this cooking method you can get...

The appetizer idea you don't expect

Sweet and savory come together in a surprising balance. A refined proposal that also works well for a casual dinner.

Shallot and feta tart tatin, the irresistible savory version!Recipe Shallot and feta tart tatin, the irresistible savory version!

When we talk about tarte tatin, we obviously think of the famous apple tarte tatin ! What if today we replaced the traditional apples with well-candied shallots for a savory version? To add even more deliciousness, feta will be your best ally in...

Addictive crunchiness

Tasty, golden and irresistible. Perfect to serve hot, one pulls the other and they immediately become the stars of the table.

Börek, turkish bricks with feta and parsleyRecipe Börek, turkish bricks with feta and parsley

Today we're heading to Turkey with a recipe for börek, ultra-crispy vegetarian bricks with feta and parsley perfect for an aperitif or lunch accompanied by a salad. These little cigar-shaped rolls can be served hot or cold, and we assure you that...

The tradition that warms the evening

A simple, comforting and deeply convivial dish. Ideal for ending dinner with something that tastes like home and sharing.

Baked cabbage rolls, an easy and inexpensive recipe!Recipe Baked cabbage rolls, an easy and inexpensive recipe!

What to do with cabbage? That's the big question we've decided to answer today! Because yes, there are plenty of easy and tasty recipes to be made with this vegetable often shunned by the little ones. With these oven-baked cabbage rolls , we can...

Ready to surprise your guests?

Now you have everything you need to turn a simple dinner party into a moment to remember. These original and tasty recipes are designed to impress without complicating life, create conviviality and make guests feel truly at home.

Choose the ones that inspire you most, adapt them to your style and have fun in the kitchen. Because a successful dinner party is not only good to eat, but also good to live with.

Daniele MainieriDaniele Mainieri
Every day I immerse myself in the world of cooking, looking for new recipes and flavors to share: from grandma's dish to the latest food trends. I have been working in food communication for over 10 years!

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