My Go-To Dinners for Guests (Even If They’re Not Plant-Based)

Have you ever invited someone over for dinner and then panicked because you had no idea what to make? Or have you been someone else’s guest, only to find out they struggled to come up with something to cook for you? 

Me too. So I’ve put together the ultimate list of plant-based dinner recipes for guests, whether they’re plant-based eaters or not. To make the yums easy to access, we made a recipe collection in Meal Plan Club with my top recommendations, so if you’re a member, you can access it here. And if you’re not, sign up now and thank me later! 

This list can work two ways.

1. If you’re having people over and cooking for them, avoid the panic and replace it with confidence by picking one of these meals to make.
2. If someone is having you over for dinner and they’re not sure what to make, send them this link. 

Here are the plant-based dinner recipes for guests and why they work so well: 

Warm Roasted Beet Salad with Whipped Ricotta

This meal is perfect if you want to be a little fancy. If you prep the Ricotta, the Beets, and the dressing the day before, it’s super easy to put together when it’s time to eat. I recently served this to a French food critic and she loved it. Enough said! Just make sure your guests like beets before choosing this one. 

Vietnamese Summer Rolls with Peanut Dipping Sauce

A friend made a version of these when she invited me to dinner recently and it was a great thing to serve! She served them on a huge plate and each person had little ramekins of dipping sauce. She also served hummus and veggies on the side. It was a really fun meal and as a plant-based eater, I was impressed and delighted. 

Smoky Potato Corn Chowder with Walnut Parm

This is so hearty and delicious, it will appeal to practically everyone. Plus, what’s easier than serving big bowls of soup for dinner? Warm up a baguette and cut up some fruit and veggies to have on the side and it’s a complete meal full of flavor and charm. 

Classic 13-Layer Lasagna

I’ve served this to friends and family countless times. It doesn’t matter if someone is plant-based or not, this plant-based lasagna is the ultimate crowd-pleasure. I always have people asking for the recipe (to which I tell them to sign up for Meal Plan Club and get ALL the best whole-food plant-based recipes!). I like to make the Tofu Sausage and the Cheesy Sauce the day before and then assemble everything and pop it in the oven two hours before it’s time to eat. When it’s done cooking, I turn the oven off and let it sit in there for 10 minutes or so before transferring it to the counter (covered) for about an hour. This way it has time to set and won’t be scolding hot. I always serve it with a simple green salad and this oil-free Italian Dijon Dressing. Trust me, everyone at the table will leave happy and totally satisfied. 

Easy Peasy Toficken Fettuccine Alfredo

This is another crowd-pleaser that hits all the right spots. If you make the dairy-free Cheesy Sauce and the Tofu the day before, all you have to do is cook the pasta before dinner and top with peas, roasted red pepper, fresh basil, the sauce, and the tofu. I like to serve the chili flakes on the side so people can add as much or as little as they like. I guarantee people will be impressed by this meal. 

Baked Cauliflower Mac & Cheese

The beauty of this recipe is that it’s crazy delicious, easy to prep in advance, and easy to serve. Include a side salad and you’re good to go. It’s not fussy and everyone will love it. 

California Roll Spicy Mayo Sushi Bowl

I love this because it’s kind of different, but not weird. For example, I would never make a “Carrot Loaf” for guests. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good Carrot Loaf, but I’ve been eating this way my whole life so I’m used to all the weird-sounding things. I want my guests to be delighted and surprised by how “normal” and yummy whole-food plant-based meals can be, not wishing they had emergency mac and cheese in their bag. For this one, I make all the components in advance, chop all the veggies, and place everything on the table in dishes so people can make their own bowls. It’s a super fun meal that hits all the right spots. 

Tofu Bibimbap with Sunny Side Up Sauce

This recipe is pure magic. It does have quite a few components because it was created for a meal plan where the components are cooked in advance and used for multiple meals, but you can make it as a stand-alone recipe and impress the socks right off your guests. I recommend making the components the day before and then, like the Sushi Bowl, placing everything on the table so people can assemble their own bowls. It’s so satisfying to see people loving the food you prepared for them. That will happen with this meal, guaranteed. 

Super Loaded Baked Potato Blitz

Who doesn’t love a loaded baked potato? When I make this meal for friends or family, I cook the components the day before and then time the baked potatoes so they’re ready 10 minutes before it’s time to eat. Then I place everything on the table for the ultimate baked potato bar. Kind of like a salad bar, but for baked potatoes. I love this because everyone can add what they want and how much. It’s versatile, flexible, and so damn good. 

Queso Blanco Enchilada Casserole

This is great for people who like southwestern flavors and enjoy spice. I like to make this a few hours in advance and time it so that it comes out of the oven about 15 minutes before it’s time to eat. This way, it has a chance to cool a bit and the flavors can meld. Serve with a side salad and some guacamole and corn chips and you’ll have people singing your praises! They won’t believe it’s whole-food plant-based!

Brisket-spiced Jackfruit & Mushroom Stew

You absolutely must make this for your omni friends. It is so flavorful and hearty, they won’t believe it’s whole-food plant-based. Serve with Savory Biscuits, Garlic Chive Scones, or Cornbread to take it over the top.

Greek-seasoned Tofu & Zucchini over Couscous

This recipe is amazing for a casual, no fuss meal full of flavor and texture. If you make the couscous, sheet pan tofu & zucchini, and the hummus in advance this is ridiculously easy to put together. Your guests will walk away inspired to eat more plants. And if they’re already plant-based eaters, they’ll be inspired to sign up for Meal Plan Club and make this recipe ASAP. This is one of those recipes I crave and absolutely love to share. 

Sheet Pan Cauli-Mushroom Stacks with Smoky Gouda Cheesy Sauce

This one always gets rave reviews and people walk away perfectly satisfied with wonderful flavors dancing on their tongues. Be prepared for compliments. Make it easy on yourself by making the dairy-free gouda sauce and the sheet pan veggies a day in advance. Then when it’s time to eat, all you have to do is heat them up, toast English muffins, and stack. Simple and delicious. This is also amazing for breakfast or brunch. Who doesn’t love an invite for homemade brunch?! 

One Pot Garlicky Almond Sauced Noodles

The name gives away why this recipe is so practical and easy. From start to finish, this recipe takes about 30 minutes, so if you time it right, you can transfer the pot from stove to table when it’s time to eat and have people help themselves. It doesn’t get much easier than that. Plus, this meal is so swoon-worthy. It tastes way more complicated than it is. 

Cheesy Roasted Butternut Squash Tacos

So far, we’ve had a bowl bar and a potato bar, so I’m rounding it out with a taco bar. These tacos are surprisingly good and people will keep coming back for more. Make the components earlier in the day or the day before, and when it’s time to eat, heat up the pinto / veggie saute, the squash, and the tortillas, and then set them on the table along with everything else and have people go to town, assembling some of the best tacos of their lives! I love serve-yourself meals because everyone gets involved, making a lively and fun setting. 

Apple Pie Cheesecake

Sure, it takes extra time to make dessert, but it’s so worth it! If you’re up for it, this plant-based cheesecake is a must. Everyone will be mmmm-ing upon first bite and so very impressed with you. 

I hope you’re inspired to invite some friends over for an amazing whole-food plant-based meal.

No more panicking.

No more searching the internet for hours.

No more crossing your fingers that you chose a recipe people will love.

We GOT you! With any and all of these meals, your guests will be satisfied and craving your food for days to come. 

And if this link was sent to you and you’re cooking plants for a friend, you are a badass, welcome to a damn tasty corner of the internet. 

Find all the recipes and more in this collection in Meal Plan Club. Then, tell me all about dinner with guests in the comments below.

Xo 
Molly