Looking for new year's dinner main dishes that feel a little special? A golden pastry-wrapped roast, lobster tails or a big bowl of shrimp pasta gives you plenty to work with.
These ideas range from large centerpieces to individually plated dinners.
You can keep things simple or go all out. Pick the main dish you’re most excited about, then build your sides around it.
I especially love the little serving details here, from lemon wedges to a whole platter of neatly arranged chops.
Dinner Ideas to Welcome the New Year
herb-crusted beef roast
We’re starting off strong with this gorgeous beef roast. I love the dark herb-speckled crust against the pink slices.
A few pieces are already carved, with the rest left whole on the board.
Try the same serving arrangement if you want your roast to be the centerpiece. Keep a small bowl of sauce alongside it rather than covering that crust.
golden beef Wellington
How beautiful is this beef Wellington? The golden pastry and dark filling form a border around that thick beef center.
If you want to go all out for dinner, this is one to save. Cut a slice before bringing it to the table so you can show off those layers.
lobster tail with lemon
I am obsessed with this simple lobster presentation. The meat sits above the orange-red shell, with little green herb sprigs scattered over the top.
A lemon wedge and a plain white plate are all this serving needs. For your own dinner, you might add rice or a green salad on the side.
seared scallops and capers
Those golden scallop tops are so pretty! The capers and chopped herbs sit in the sauce around them, leaving the browned surfaces on show.
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If you’re making scallops your main dish, try serving them over rice or alongside roasted vegetables. I’d keep the plating simple here.
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glossy sliced ham
If you are looking for a big centerpiece, this one is for you. The ham has a glossy browned coating, with thin slices still gathered together on the platter.
I love the green and red arrangement around the base. For a similar edible garnish, you could use culinary rosemary and fresh cranberries.
pork roast with sauerkraut
This pork roast keeps the serving style nice and generous. Sauerkraut surrounds the meat, with a few carved pieces at the front and green leaves on top.
Bring yours out on a wide platter so there’s room for both the roast and its accompaniments. No need for lots of separate little dishes.
black-eyed peas and rice
Don’t want a big roast for dinner? No problem!
This bowl pairs black-eyed peas in a reddish-brown sauce with white rice and thick slices of bread.
I love how the rice sits to one side instead of being mixed through. Try that arrangement if you want to follow this serving idea.
filet with red wine sauce
This filet may just be one of my favorite plated ideas here. The browned steak sits in a pool of dark red wine sauce, with a rosemary sprig across the top.
Keep your sides on a separate plate if you want this same uncluttered presentation.
lemon and herb roast chicken
Who says you need something unfamiliar for a celebration? This whole roast chicken looks lovely with its golden skin, scattered herbs and browned lemon slices.
Arrange yours on a serving board or platter with extra lemon wedges. A familiar main dish can still have a pretty place at the holiday table.
dark rice with scallops and mussels
If you are looking for something a little different, then this one is for you. Golden scallops and open mussel shells cover the dark rice, with little red pieces and chopped greens tucked between them.
I love this served right in the pan. Put it on a heat-safe trivet in the center of your table for a shared main dish.
short ribs with mashed potatoes
This is such a lovely way to plate short ribs. The browned meat and exposed bones sit beside a mound of mashed potatoes, with sauce and vegetables underneath.
The little red seeds are my favorite finishing detail. You could add a few pomegranate seeds to your own plate for a similar touch of color.
fish-shaped salmon pastry
How cute is this fish-shaped pastry? I am obsessed with the little scales and the fan-shaped tail.
The cut section shows pink salmon and a green layer inside.
If you love a decorative centerpiece, save this one. Serve sauce alongside it so the pastry details stay visible.
white fish with a crumb topping
Don’t want to go overboard with the presentation? This white fish keeps things simple with a mound of crumbly topping dotted with red and green pieces.
Small red potatoes and broccoli complete the plate. Follow that same main-and-two-sides arrangement for your own dinner.
lamb chops in a festive ring
I love this platter of lamb chops. The bones point inward while the sliced meat forms a ring around the edge.
Chopped green topping and pomegranate seeds make it even prettier.
Try this arrangement on a round platter, then tuck culinary mint leaves in the middle to follow the picture.
Read also: 20 Finger Food Platter Ideas From Savory Bites to Sweet Treats
individual lobster pasta bakes
These little lobster pasta dishes are so cute! Curved pasta and red lobster pieces fill the black baking dishes, with browned patches across the tops.
Individual servings are a lovely option if you don’t want to carve anything at the table. Set each hot dish on a heat-safe plate before serving.
beef stew with mushrooms
If you’re looking for a main dish you can serve by the bowl, go with a beef stew like this. There are chunks of meat, carrot rounds, mushrooms and small whole onions in a glossy brown sauce.
I’d pair it with bread for spooning up the sauce. The little herb sprigs on top are a pretty touch too.
golden mushroom pastry
This is another gorgeous pastry idea, but the sliced mushrooms get the attention here. I love the overlapping strips across the golden top and the filling visible at the cut end.
For a mushroom-focused dinner, look for a recipe with this style of filling. Add a green salad on the side if you want something simple alongside it.
steak topped with shrimp
Can’t choose between steak and seafood? This plate gives you both!
Browned shrimp are piled over a thick steak, with a pale herb-speckled sauce running down the sides.
Stack the shrimp on top if you want to follow this look rather than serving them beside the steak.
sliced duck with cherries
The dark cherries and deep red sauce are so pretty against this sliced duck breast. I especially love how the browned skin stays visible above the pink center.
Arrange a few slices in front of the remaining piece, then spoon your sauce around them for a similar presentation. Use a tested recipe and a food thermometer rather than color to judge doneness.
shrimp pasta with lemon
Last but definitely not least, we have this gorgeous shrimp pasta. I love the golden shrimp over those long noodles!
Chopped herbs, red flakes and lemon slices add little bits of color throughout.
Bring it to the table in a serving dish with tongs so everyone can help themselves. This is the one I’d choose for a more casual celebration.
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