13 Marry Me Recipes That Always Work When Company’s Coming

13 Marry me recipes have a reputation for keeping guests glued to the table instead of sneaking out early. Each one is the kind of dish that sparks second helpings without a debate. They’re the dependable choices when the pressure’s on. Bring them out when company shows up and suddenly the evening feels easier to manage.

A plate of creamy spaghetti with shrimp, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil leaves.
Marry Me Shrimp Pasta. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Marry Me Chicken Soup

A creamy pasta dish with spinach, shredded chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and shell pasta, garnished with herbs.
Marry Me Chicken Soup. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

When guests walk in hungry, a bowl of creamy soup warms everyone up and keeps the conversation going. Marry Me Chicken Soup stays rich without being heavy so people always ask for seconds. It’s a hit with adults as well as kids at the same table. The leftovers never last for long.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Chicken Soup

Marry Me Butter Beans

A cast iron skillet with creamy pasta mixed with spinach and sun-dried tomatoes, topped with cheese, with a wooden spoon resting inside.
Marry Me Butter Beans. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

People are surprised by a side dish that can stand out during group meals and potlucks. Marry Me Butter Beans hold up well whether served with bread or on their own. Guests talk about the sauce all dinner long. There’s never an empty spoon left by the end.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Butter Beans

Marry Me Chicken Pasta

A plate of creamy penne pasta garnished with chopped parsley and grated cheese, featuring pieces of sun-dried tomatoes. A black fork is resting on the plate.
Marry Me Chicken Pasta. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Creamy pasta plates bring everyone together as soon as they hit the table for company. Marry Me Chicken Pasta mixes easily with noodles so each bite is filling but never too much. Guests usually grab a second serving before anyone is finished eating. No bowl ever goes untouched.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Chicken Pasta

Marry Me Lentils

A pan of lentil dish with spinach, fresh basil, tomato sauce, and melted cheese, garnished with lemon wedges.
Marry Me Lentils. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Even folks who claim to dislike lentils end up finishing their whole serving at big meals. All it takes is one scoop of Marry Me Lentils for people to ask what’s in the sauce. Leftovers make a great lunch the next day. This one often gets sent out as a requested recipe.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Lentils

Marry Me Chicken Meatballs

A close-up of meatballs in a creamy sauce with herbs, sun-dried tomatoes, and a side of white rice, with a fork picking up one meatball.
Marry Me Chicken Meatballs. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Meatballs in sauce always make guests reach for seconds, especially when flavors blend just right. Marry Me Chicken Meatballs hold together for easy serving with pasta or bread. People love how they keep their shape and stay soft. It’s a favorite for both kids and grown-ups.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Chicken Meatballs

Marry Me Salmon

Grilled salmon fillet topped with a creamy herb sauce, served next to a portion of white rice.
Marry Me Salmon. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Bringing out a juicy main dish gets dinner rolling when company arrives hungry. Plates with Marry Me Salmon draw both conversation and compliments right away. Each piece comes out flaky but never dry. Even leftover pieces are gone by the next day.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Salmon

Crockpot Marry Me Chicken

Three cooked chicken breasts in a creamy sauce, topped with herbs and sun-dried tomatoes, presented in a round dish.
Crockpot Marry Me Chicken. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Slow cooker meals help everyone relax when the table fills up without worry. Crockpot Marry Me Chicken comes out tender every time and makes serving lots of people easy. Spoons scrape the last of the sauce before the meal is over. People always want to know how it’s made.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Marry Me Chicken

Marry Me Tofu

A bowl of creamy pasta salad with cubed noodles and sun-dried tomatoes, garnished with fresh basil leaves and black pepper, served in a rustic dish on a brown cloth.
Marry Me Tofu. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Even those unsure about tofu are surprised when they clean their plate at a group dinner. Saucy bites make Marry Me Tofu a frequent request from both vegan and meat-eating friends. The texture holds up to every topping or rice. It disappears from the serving bowl every time.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Tofu

Marry Me Tortellini

A bowl of creamy tortellini pasta with spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, herbs, and a basil garnish.
Marry Me Tortellini. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Pasta nights with guests feel extra special when cheese-filled bites hit the table first. Each serving of Marry Me Tortellini gets praise for its rich sauce and easy portions. Everyone comes back for seconds, no matter the main dish. This meal goes fast with kids too.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Tortellini

Marry Me Steak

Slices of steak arranged in a creamy sauce with herbs and garnished with fresh basil leaves in a black skillet.
Marry Me Steak. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Company dinners never feel routine when you bring out a plate topped with sauce. Marry Me Steak gets cut into neat slices that always look as good as they taste. People take their time so they can enjoy every bite. There isn’t a piece left when the meal ends.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Steak

Marry Me Chicken Casserole

A casserole dish filled with baked pasta topped with melted cheese and garnished with chopped herbs.
Marry Me Chicken Casserole. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Group meals get easier when a warm casserole comes out with just the right texture for big helpings. Marry Me Chicken Casserole fills plates nicely so everyone leaves the table ready for dessert. Even picky eaters scoop up a second helping. It is always mentioned by guests as a favorite.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Chicken Casserole

Marry Me Chickpeas

Skillet with creamy chickpeas, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes, garnished with herbs.
Marry Me Chickpeas. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Quick meals work well when sharing plates at casual get-togethers or bigger parties. Bowls of Marry Me Chickpeas get emptied quickly thanks to the saucy bite and simple dish. No one even notices this is vegetarian until after they’ve had third helpings. Friends often want the recipe.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Chickpeas

Marry Me Shrimp Pasta

A plate of creamy spaghetti with shrimp, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil leaves.
Marry Me Shrimp Pasta. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Watch guests clean their plates when creamy noodles meet shrimp in this dinner winner. Marry Me Shrimp Pasta is rich enough for special occasions but simple enough for weeknights. People ask for more before anyone brings out dessert. The sauce always gets scooped up at the end.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Shrimp Pasta

About the Author
A woman with long brown hair is smiling and standing with her arms crossed. She is wearing a sleeveless, black and white diamond-patterned dress.

Hey there! I’m Mandy

Mandy Applegate is a home cook, food blogger, and writer who believes the best meals are the ones shared with the people you love.

She’s all about easy recipes that taste amazing, the kind that make ordinary days feel a little more special and remind you why cooking at home matters.

She has been published on NBC, the Daily News, the Boston Herald, and the Chicago Sun-Times, amongst many others.

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