19 Easy Dishes for a Laid-Back New Year’s Dinner

If you’re craving a stress-free dinner to ring in the new year, these easy dishes have you covered. With minimal prep and big flavors, they’re perfect for a laid-back evening with loved ones, allowing you to enjoy the night without being stuck in the kitchen. These recipes make it simple to serve up something delicious and satisfying, so you can focus on what really matters – relaxing and celebrating.

Honey Mustard Salmon

For a New Year’s dinner that feels fancy but takes minimal effort, this honey mustard salmon is your go-to. Flaky, tender salmon meets a sweet and tangy glaze in this foolproof recipe that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. Serve it up and watch how easily it becomes the star of your laid-back feast.
Get the Recipe: Honey Mustard Salmon

Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Keep the cozy vibes flowing at your laid-back New Year’s dinner with peppermint hot chocolate. Creamy, minty, and topped with whipped cream and crushed candy canes, it’s the perfect warm drink to complement your meal. Easy to whip up and full of holiday spirit, it’s a must-have on your menu.
Get the Recipe: Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Peanut Butter Brownies

These peanut butter brownies are the ultimate treat to end your laid-back New Year’s dinner on a sweet note. With rich chocolate and swirls of creamy peanut butter, they’re indulgent yet so simple to make. Perfect for sharing—or not—this dessert is a crowd-pleaser with no stress attached.
Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter Brownies

Cranberry Margarita

This cranberry margarita is the ultimate New Year’s dinner cocktail—festive, vibrant, and deliciously easy. Its sweet-tart flavor pairs perfectly with any meal, making it a star on your holiday table. Shake it up in minutes and enjoy a drink that screams celebration with zero hassle.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Margarita

Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Bread

Nothing says relaxed New Year’s dinner like a loaf of cheesy garlic pull-apart bread at the table. Crispy, gooey, and loaded with buttery flavor, it’s the perfect dish to share with family or friends. Just a few ingredients and a little prep, and you’ve got a bread that’s downright irresistible.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Bread

Parmesan Crusted Chicken

When your laid-back New Year’s dinner calls for something hearty, this parmesan-crusted chicken delivers every time. With a crispy, cheesy coating and tender chicken inside, it’s packed with flavor without the extra work. Easy to prep and quick to cook, it’s a winner for any casual feast.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Slow Cooker Mulled Wine

This slow cooker mulled wine is the ultimate festive drink for your New Year’s dinner. Warm spices, fruity red wine, and a hint of citrus come together to create a cozy cocktail that practically makes itself. Serve it up and let everyone toast to the easiest, most relaxing dinner ever.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Mulled Wine

3-Ingredient Shortbread

For a no-fuss sweet treat at your New Year’s dinner, these 3-ingredient shortbread cookies are pure magic. Buttery, crumbly, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious, they’re a simple yet elegant way to end the evening. Make a batch ahead of time and enjoy the compliments that roll in.
Get the Recipe: 3-Ingredient Shortbread

Cheese and Bacon Cob Loaf

Cheese and bacon cob loaf is your laid-back New Year’s dinner showstopper! With gooey cheese, crispy bacon, and a golden loaf baked to perfection, it’s a snack and centerpiece all in one. This easy-to-make dish is perfect for sharing, dipping, and savoring with no extra stress.
Get the Recipe: Cheese and Bacon Cob Loaf

Cinnamon Palmiers

For a sweet treat at your laid-back New Year’s dinner, cinnamon palmiers are an elegant yet simple choice. Layers of buttery puff pastry wrapped around cinnamon sugar bake into a crisp, golden delight. Easy to make but impressive to serve, they’re a winner every time.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Palmiers

Bacon-Wrapped Pineapple

These bacon-wrapped pineapple bites are a quick and crowd-pleasing appetizer for your New Year’s dinner. Juicy pineapple and crispy bacon combine for the perfect sweet-and-salty bite. Simple, satisfying, and always a hit, they’re ideal for kicking off your evening without breaking a sweat.
Get the Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Pineapple

Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges

These air fryer sweet potato wedges are a game-changer for your laid-back New Year’s dinner. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and seasoned just right, they’re the perfect fuss-free addition to your spread. Easy, tasty, and ready in no time—they’re everything you want in a casual dinner side.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges

Salsa Chicken in Slow Cooker

Make this salsa chicken the centerpiece of your laid-back New Year’s dinner. Tender, flavorful, and versatile, it’s perfect for tacos, rice bowls, or straight from the slow cooker. With just two ingredients and almost no prep, dinner has never been easier—or more delicious.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Chicken in Slow Cooker

Peppermint Ice Cream

Add a cool and festive touch to your laid-back New Year’s dinner with homemade peppermint ice cream. Creamy, sweet, and studded with crushed candy canes, it’s a dessert that feels indulgent without the fuss. Serve it in a bowl or cone and let the compliments roll in.
Get the Recipe: Peppermint Ice Cream

Cranberry Brie Bites

These cranberry brie bites are the definition of elegant ease for your New Year’s dinner. With buttery puff pastry, creamy brie, and tart cranberries, they’re a perfect starter or snack. Quick to make and beautiful to serve, they’ll impress your guests without any stress.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Brie Bites

Bacon-Wrapped Filet Mignon

For a laid-back New Year’s dinner that still feels special, bacon-wrapped filet mignon is your secret weapon. Juicy steak wrapped in crispy bacon and cooked to perfection makes for an effortless yet impressive main dish. Pair it with a simple side, and you’ve got dinner done in style.
Get the Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Filet Mignon

Vodka Cranberry

This vodka cranberry is the ultimate drink for a relaxed New Year’s dinner. Light, refreshing, and easy to mix, it’s the perfect addition to your holiday table. Toss in some fresh cranberries for a festive touch, and you’ve got a cocktail that’s as simple as it is celebratory.
Get the Recipe: Vodka Cranberry

Almond Crescent Cookies

End your laid-back New Year’s dinner with almond crescent cookies that are as delightful as they are easy. Buttery, crumbly, and dusted with powdered sugar, they’re a sweet finale to your evening. Make them ahead of time for a no-stress dessert that everyone will love.
Get the Recipe: Almond Crescent Cookies

Chicken Quesadillas

For a laid-back New Year’s dinner that’s big on flavor and low on effort, chicken quesadillas are the way to go. Crispy tortillas, tender salsa chicken, and melty cheese create a meal everyone will love. Add a dollop of sour cream, and dinner is done!
Get the Recipe: Chicken Quesadillas