Chicken

• Chicken is a safe protein that most guests will enjoy. Choose a simple, down-home preparation of fried chicken, creating a breading from flour, salt and pepper. For a healthier alternative, bake or grill the chicken. Season it with fresh herbs or even a homemade barbecue sauce. For a more elegant presentation, stuff the chicken breast with prosciutto and asparagus or any other stuffing of your choice.
  
  

Beef

• One of the simplest of meats, ground beef is an expensive option when serving large groups. Use the ground beef to create tacos, hamburgers or a modified shepherd's pie. If you want to grill, choose your favorite steak cut and cook the steaks to order. A classic dish, beef wellington, offers an upscale meal option.
  
  

Pork

• The pig offers a number of cuts, ranging from simple to more elegant. For example, the shoulder or Boston butt offers an easy and simple option for creating a roast. Cook the shoulder in a crock pot with onion, garlic, clove and Worcestershire sauce. Make a ham coated with a honey glaze to serve to a large group, family-style. Turn the traditional beef wellington into a pork option by stuffing the tenderloin with dried apples, rubbing it with mustard and thyme, and coating it in prosciutto. Then wrap the entire tenderloin in puffed pastry before baking it.
  
  

Fish

• Whitefish, such as cod, work well baked or fried. For a fluffier breading, use beer instead of other liquids in the batter process. Although not as light a meal as most whitefish, salmon is another fish choice. Steam the salmon on cedar planks to impart additional flavor. Grill a swordfish steak for a hearty and meaty option. Serve your seafood choice with a homemade remoulade. A simple slice of lemon is another option, because fish love acidity.
  
  

Vegetarian

• Serve a meat-free entree if one of your guests is a vegetarian. Pasta offers simple to more complex options. For example, make simple spaghetti with marinara from scratch or use store-bought sauces. Vegetable lasagna offers a heartier option. Alternatively, if the guests eat eggs, create a pasta carbonara without the prosciutto. Top the dish with a fried egg to give the guests more protein on the plate. If you want to skip the pasta, create a classic ratatouille using fresh zucchini, tomatoes and eggplant. Or make a Chinese stir-fry using firm tofu, carrots, bell peppers, scallions and bok choy.