Are you meeting your significant other’s family for the first time over the holidays? You’re not alone. This time of year often brings introductions of new partners over a holiday meal. Whether it’s for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hannukah, or just a winter gathering, deciding the perfect dish to bring may be difficult. We put together a list of the best recipes to impress your significant other’s family that will be sure to leave the best opinion on the family of the one you’re with, no matter their food preferences.
The good thing about most of these dishes is that while they look impressive, they aren’t in practice. Most take just a few ingredients and a little bit of time, but will still have your partner’s parents totally blown away by your culinary skills. Make sure to bookmark this page for all the future family gatherings.
Chili Crisp & Strawberry Baked Brie
If a foodie family is the kind you need to impress, make this baked brie. It’s so simple, but uses some unexpected flavors that will surely blow the mind of the parents in question.
Tomato Tart
This crispy, jammy, cheesy tomato tart is a show-stopper. It walks you through how to make homemade pie crust — a skill you can transfer to other recipes — plus you can use whatever veggies make sense for the season. It spotlights summer tomatoes, but if the ones at your grocery store don’t look so good, you can swap it for ribbons of squash or carrots.
Browned Butter, Almond, Summer Fruit Cake
While this recipe is one meant for summer, the flavors work so well for the holidays. Toasty brown butter, almonds, and berries work together to update a dish that needed a refresh.
Artichokes Rockefeller
This recipe for artichokes comes from Mamrie Hart. It’s like the version you’re probably familiar with — oysters rockefeller — except instead of frying oysters, you’re frying artichokes. Don’t be intimidated. Hart breaks down each step with such detail, you’ll be cruising through this recipe.
Field of Poppies Focaccia Bread
With the new “Wicked” movie coming out this Friday, what better way to celebrate than with a Wizard of Oz inspired focaccia bread? This recipe uses either pepper ends or tomatoes to create red flowers that look like poppies on top of the bread. This bread is sure to be a hit amongst everyone who tries it or even gets to see it. You’ll be able to show your creative side to your partner’s family in a unique way.
Charcuterie Board
This charcuterie board is sure to get you off on the right foot. This board takes only five minutes to put together and serves four to six guests. Get creative with the ingredients to make this appetizer even more personal and show off more of what makes you you.
A Thousand Reasons Meatballs
This meatball recipe is based on the classic Swedish dish and blends beef, pork, and veal into a rich brown sauce. Inspired by the movie Frozen, this recipe is the perfect warm meal on a cold holiday evening, and it is simple enough to appeal to almost anyone you encounter in your partner’s family.
Mom’s Potato Salad
A simple potato salad is sure to satisfy almost anyone. While not a typical holiday dish, show your creativity with this easy recipe. With only a 30 minute prep time, this is an easy side to put together if you’re tight on time but still want to make a good impression.
Hasselback Sweet Potatoes And Peanut Butter
Looking to bring a unique dish to your partner’s Thanksgiving dinner? This variation of the traditional sweet potatoes and marshmallows combo uses peanut butter instead, and these two ingredients might go better together than you would think. To ensure that everyone in the family is happy, you could even try this recipe along with a classic sweet potatoes and marshmallow dish.
Pumpkin Chiffon Pie
There’s no better dessert at the end of a Thanksgiving meal than pumpkin pie. This pumpkin chiffon pie recipe uses a mousse like filling to create a delicate and airy treat for the end of your meal. A pumpkin pie is a classic choice for any holiday event, especially one where you might not know exactly what to expect.
Anginetti Cookies
These classic Italian anginetti cookies are a must-have in my house for Thanksgiving every year. The tiny cookies frosted with vanilla frosting are sure to be a hit even amongst the pickiest eaters. You’ll be prepared for everything with this dessert.
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Spice Muffins
Nothing says the holidays more than pumpkin spice. This classic pumpkin spice muffin recipe adds in chocolate chips for some extra sweetness. The muffins also stay good wrapped in plastic for up to three days, so they’re the perfect dessert to serve and give your hosts the leftovers.
Snickerdoodle Cookies
Holiday dinner isn’t complete without a classic snickerdoodle cookie. This basic recipe is easy to make, yet yields 30 of the sweet, cinnamony treats we all know and love. These are a safe choice for any holiday party, and your hosts will surely thank you for the sugary contribution.
Berry Chantilly Cake
This Whole Foods Copycat Berry Chantilly Cake may take a little longer than some other dessert recipes, but the results are incomparable. You will end up with a deliciously fruity cake that gives Whole Foods a run for its money, and impress your significant other’s family while you’re at it.
Chocolate Mousse With Raspberries
.jpg?1722541074){kind=link}
For a sweet treat at the end of the meal, try out this easy chocolate mousse dessert with raspberries. Even better, this recipe uses silken tofu and plant based milk, making it friendly to guests with dietary restrictions as well. This unique confection is sure to leave a lasting impression on your partner’s relatives for your creativity.
This article was originally published on November 22, 2024. It was updated on December 5, 2025.