With National Friendship Month around the corner, we thought we'd ask some of our favourite food bloggers for their go-to recipes to cook for friends. The recurring theme? A dish that was hearty, plentiful and easy to whip up for large groups. Try these for your friends next month and you might find yourself with a new signature dish! Just don't blame us when it gets requested time and time again...

Chicken Parmigiana Meatballs from Lucy Loves

According to blogger Lucy this dish has a wow-factor like no other, and we don't doubt it for a second. Who could say no to hand-made meatballs complete with a gooey cheesy middle? It's like a stuffed pizza crust and a scotch egg in one. Not least of all it looks like good fun to make too, as long as you don't mind getting stuck in with your hands!
"I love this Chicken Parmigiana Meatball, it's a super scene stealer of a main course. I have cooked this many times now, it's regularly requested by my friends and family, and is my current go-to recipe of choice. Each of your friends are served a giant meatball with a crisp panko breadcrumbed shell, concealing an oozing mozzarella middle which could not fail to put a smile on the faces of your guests, young and old alike." - Lucy
Find the full recipe here: Lucy Loves

Turkish Börek from The Tofu Diaries

Whether they're veggie, vegan or meat-lovers, this dish is bound to impress your guests. Full of doughy, vegan-cheesy goodness and a cinch to make, we're not surprised that it's one of Natalie's hands-down favourites. Serve with her Antalyan Bean Salad for a Turkish-inspired dish made in (meat-free) heaven.
"When I'm cooking for friends, especially meat-eating friends, I want something that will wow them and demonstrate how tasty veggie food can be. This Turkish Börek ticks so many boxes: it shows that food from all over the world can be made vegan, you'd never guess it was vegan, and it's surprisingly easy to make. Plus having a big dish you can bring to the table and let everyone tuck into makes the experience so much more sociable too!" - Natalie
Find the full recipe here: The Tofu Diaries

Chicken Pilaf from Fuggle Antics

Proving that chicken pilaf is more than just a takeaway dish, this wholesome recipe from Georgina is the ultimate meal to throw together, heap on a plate and enjoy with friends. Not only is it fresh, fragrant and hearty, but the story behind this dish is heart-warming too. Calling all sleep-deprived parents, this one's for you!

"This is one of those clever dishes that turns quite a standard pack of chicken thighs into something really quite beautiful. Roasted with Chinese five spice, shredded, and mixed with brown rice, almonds, pomegranate, and plenty of fresh herbs, you'll absolutely have enough to share with friends. "
- Georgina

Find the full recipe here: Fuggle Antics

Mexican Chili Bean Wraps from Celery and Cupcakes

Cooking for health-conscious friends? This deceptively wholesome dish from Jemma is packed full of fresh ingredients and spicy Mexican flavours. Plus it's super-versatile too; add lean-beef chilli for a meaty option, or use wholegrain wraps and low-fat yogurt for the ultimate guilt-free lunchtime treat. There's bound to be second helpings all round!
"With all the spices and zesty flavours, Mexican food just sings summer to me and I love how casual and unpretentious it can be. The cuisine is all about good honest friendly food that tastes delicious. I often make these when I have friends over as they're perfect for pre-preparing and serving up in a pile. Or, if you don't mind getting messy, place all of the ingredients on the table and let everyone have fun making their own!" - Jemma
Find the full recipe here: Celery and Cupcakes

Penne in Red Wine Sauce from Merry Tummy

Food-blogger Shweta has her hubby to thank for this dish; shortly after their wedding they found themselves dining in a fancy Italian restaurant. Unable to decide, Shweta's partner helped out and opted for the classic red wine pasta. The result? A recipe that has stayed in her cookbook ever since. We love that her go-to favourite has a background story, plus who could say no to pasta and red wine?
"Good food. Good friends. Good times. Pasta is a meal in itself and I love to cooking it for friends, it's classic, quick, and filling. Boozy, spicy, and sharp, this penne in red wine sauce is definitely one for the adults. The red wine mixes with the garlic, pepper, and tomatoes providing a richness and amazing depth of flavour. The alcohol in the wine will cook off as the mixture simmers, leaving a hearty, robust sauce. If you and your friends like pasta and wine, then this is the dish for you." - Shweta

Find the full recipe here: Merry Tummy

Easy One-Pot Chicken Casserole from Maison Cupcake

Inspired by Nigella Lawson's seemingly effortless prowess in the kitchen, Sarah decided to come up with a dish that would go down a storm with friends, and minimise her time at the hob. Hence, her one-pot chicken casserole with cous cous and olives. With minimal cooking and washing, and more time eating and socialising, who said you can't have your cake and eat it?
"This chicken couscous dish is perfect for making when friends come to visit. Using only one pan there's barely any washing up, it's quick enough to prepare midweek but works well for lunch at the weekend. Apart from 20 minutes to prep ingredients and sear the meat, you can leave it in the oven for 45 minutes whilst spending quality time with your guests rather than being stuck in the kitchen. If there's any left it can be frozen or travels well as a packed lunch to heat in the office microwave or eat cold as you wish." - Sarah
Find the full recipe here: Maison Cupcake

Dinner with Friends