Lovely bake for serving guests?

[ApolloandDaphne]

I've got friends coming next week and need something prepared to shove in the oven after we have been shopping and had a few drinks. I don't want to do lasagne and I can't do fish pie as one friend doesn't eat fish. Have you got any good ideas to offer me? It needs to be fully prepared and ready to bung in the oven. Happy to do veg on the side or garlic bread or whatever. All have robust appetites! Thanks.

https://www.nigella.com/recipes/spanish-chicken-with-chorizo-and-potatoes
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/harissa-chicken-traybake

Or just doing something like hunter's chicken which you can prepare in advance and then get those microwave mini potato pouches with some steam vegetables?

There’s a nice Mary Berry pastitsio recipe (lamb mince, pasta, red wine), which is delicious but may be closer to a lasagne than you’d like. I am also about to try a Chicken Alfredo Pasta Bake from the Good Food website, which looks a bit different and could easily be prepped in advance.

Or you could do something like a goulash or beef stew (beef bourguignon?) fully cooked in advance and just needs heating up?

I had the most delicious cheese and potato pie with salad this week. I know it sounds boring and school dinner like but it was soooo yummy

A beef stew might work. I'm interested in the chicken Alfredo bake. Let me know how it works out @MyCatPrefersPeaches?

Chicken Marbella, I make it with a kilo of chicken thighs and serve with rice and salad absolutely crowd pleaser!
Sorry, you basically make it the day before and sling in the oven and hour before sitting down.

Could you do a slow cooker dish instead? I’m doing one tomorrow from insta. Marry me chicken orzo cook chicken all day and add orzo / spinach crème Fraich last 30 mins .

I was just coming on to suggest the Nigella chicken and chorizo! Low effort for maximum taste.

Beef bourgion and mash. Can all be made and just reheated.

Chicken pie? Especially if you're having roast chicken a couple of days beforehand - I just fry off some onions and bacon, add a dash of white wine, spoonful of mustard and some cream, and fold the chicken in to make the filling, and then it can be added to the pastry whenever you're ready (easy to assemble beforehand and then just store in the fridge until you're ready to cook it all).

Lots of good ideas. Keep them coming!

A tray bake of roasted vegetables and either chicken or sausages (or both)

I have several of The Roasting Tin books byRukmini Iyer. Here are some of her recipes:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/chefs/rukmini_iyer

I dont think I want a traybake. I make some of those and you need to keep adding things. I want a complete thing to go in the oven.

Beef bourguinon in the slow cooker, or fully cooked the day before, cooled and then topped with puff pastry on the day and baked , bloody delicious beef bourguinon pie! https://littleferrarokitchen.com/beef-bourguignon-pot-pie/

chicken or lamb tagine - lamb is best cooked the day before https://www.recipetineats.com/chicken-tagine/

This vegetarian tray bake is also really popular Aubergine, tomato and chickpea traybake recipe
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/recipes/everyday/vegetarian/aubergine-tomato-chickpea-traybake-recipe/

Oooh I just saw this Hachis parmentier on instagram and it looks amazing!! It’s like French Cottage pie. Looks like a bit of heavy lifting to get it oven ready but I can’t wait to make it

@ Matthewryle on instagram

Aubergine parmigiana if you can do meat free this is bloody delicious

https://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetables/aubergine-parmigiana-melanzane-alla-parmigiana/

I don't want a time sucker 20 pot job! I might do a beef stew with mash.

That is the exact description of Jamie Oliver’s fish pie! My heart sinks every time DH requests it- as he does 90% of the cooking i always feel obliged.

Delia's chicken basque or Ottolenghi's version of Chicken Marbella.

Many of those Rukmini Iyer traybakes are ones that you just shove in the oven. If there is something to add, it’s usually right at the end where you stir through a spicy/herby/lemony dressing sauce right before serving. I’ve made so many of her recipes and they’re great.

This Delia one is great too:

https://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/international/european/spanish/chicken-basque

As is this simple Boeuf Bourgignon:

https://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/international/european/french/boeuf-bourguignon-easy

And here’s a nice veggie recipe with halloumi and a lovely spicy balsamic vinegary flavour:

https://www.mygfguide.com/easy-tray-bake-dinner-with-pomegranate-and-minted-yoghurt/

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I've been making

This creamy chicken potato topped pie for years.

Really tasty and a change from cottage/Shepard's pie. I switch it up a bit depending on what we have in but always add parmesan.

Bonfire pie is nice this time of year, but this recipe is vegetarian. Not sure if it could be made meaty but perhaps you could do some meat on the side. https://www.theguardian.com/food/2018/oct/27/four-pumpkin-recipes-for-halloween