Easy dinner for friends I can pre prep

[Definitelysometime]

I’m having six girlfriends over for dinner on Thursday evening but it’s a busy, office based day for me. Any recommendations for yummy dinners that I can prep the night before and heat up when they’re here so I’m not glued to the kitchen?

they’re close friends so it doesn’t need to be fancy, and there’s one nut allergy but other than that everyone eats everything. Any recommendations or things that have been popular for you would be much appreciated!

A simple curry and rice, some naan bread, popadoms, mango chutney. Cook the curry the night before.

Rice - boil the water put the rice in for 9 minutes, drain and turn off heat and leave it in a lidded saucepan for 9 minutes and it is perfect every time.

I would do a tray bake of chicks thighs, chorizo, peppers and red onion with olive oil and thyme. Then serve with some nice bread or potatoes.

This is amazing, and can all be prepped in advance and stuck in the oven on the day.

https://thehappyfoodie.co.uk/recipes/chicken-with-caramelized-onion-and-cardamom-rice/

Lasagna
Mousakka
Cottage Pie

Lasagna, garlic bread, side salad

Another vote for lasagna tastes even better when made the date before. You can by some lovely garlic breads, salads etc and even do some anti- pasta etc if regular lasagna feels a bit dull there are some great variations online

Thanks so much for all the fab ideas. We had lasagne last time we all got together, otherwise that would be a definite go-to. I love the idea of a curry actually, made a bit more ‘fun’ with poppadoms and naans etc. Will look into curry recipes, thank you!

I’d do Hungarian goulash. I use the Waitrose recipe but add way more paprika (hot and smoked) than they call for. It’s better tasting the next day too. Serve with rice (not the pasta or recommends) and some green veg.

A chicken tagine to serve with couscous - if you have a slow cooker you can leave it on all day otherwise cook it the night before and serve with couscous

fahitas - can chop/prep a lot of it the night before and doesnt take long to cook -serve with margaritas!

jacket potato station with carious toppings like chilli, tuna or cheese and beans.

Moussaka is a great dish for making the night before - like lasagne, it firms up in the fridge making it much prettier to serve! Plus the flavours develop.

This one is often recommended on MN and it’s delicious, https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/burnt-aubergine-veggie-chilli

We often serve it with tacos, rice, sour cream, cheese and guacamole etc for people to load up themselves.

Lidl had Spätzle in last week (I think it’s a special so tbey may not always have it) Perfect with Goulash

I made this recently after I asked for veggie chilli recipe recommendations. I cooked it in the slow cooker (so didn't blacken the aubergine first). It was delicious.

Butter chicken which was recommended on hereButter chicken