28 Dinner Occasion Menu Concepts to Get You Excited About Internet hosting
Lately, a superb pal known as me in a near-panic: “I’m having eight buddies over tomorrow night time—what on this planet ought to I make for that many individuals?” I’ve been there, and it may be robust to consider feast menu concepts which are elevated and chic to your night crowd. Particularly should you don’t need to spend all day within the kitchen and/or lose your thoughts within the course of.
However due to the truth that I began my profession in catering (mixed with the numerous dinner events I’ve thrown over time), I’ve assembled fairly a group of feast menu concepts to feed a crowd that examine all my required containers. All of those feast recipes are:
- Crowd-pleasing dishes that nearly everybody loves.
- Leverage large-batch cooking, like a sheet pan or grill, in order that I’m not laboriously sautéing 16 particular person fish fillets or frying 12 eggs to prime salads.
- And most significantly, I can do nearly all of the prep upfront in order that by the point my visitors arrive, I can be a part of the celebration with them.
I divided this put up into recipes that I make for dinners with 4-6 visitors (because of the cooking methods, or the truth that they incorporate pricier substances), and the recipes which are very easy to double or triple to feed a real crowd. These leverage bigger cuts of meat, build-your-own parts that allow visitors adapt to their dietary wants, and cheaper substances so your celebration price range doesn’t get uncontrolled.
The subsequent time you end up internet hosting a night get-together and questioning what to make, bookmark this put up for straightforward feast menu concepts. Belief me: all these recipes will depart your dinner visitors completely satisfied, glad, and ready for when their subsequent invite arrives within the mail.
Citrus Salmon Salad With Avocado & Arugula
What makes it party-ready: I like an off-the-cuff weeknight gathering. An impromptu night impressed by the alignment of gorgeous climate and everybody’s open schedule. However simply because it’s laidback doesn’t imply the menu can’t be particular. This vibrant citrus salmon salad is a foolproof crowd-pleaser—and comes collectively in simply half-hour. The dressing options orange zest and a kick of ginger, giving your entire dish a gorgeous contemporary taste that epitomizes warm-weather entertaining.
Make it a feast: Protecting with the theme of stylish ease, I’ll serve this salad alongside a cheeseboard and chilled glasses of strawberry-rosé sangria. For dessert? Mini pavlovas are a lot easier than they appear.
Vegan Tofu and Mushroom Bolognese
What makes it party-ready: Tofu isn’t only a hero ingredient reserved for individuals who eat vegetarian or vegan—it’s a protein-packed staple with tons of potential that additionally occurs to be extremely inexpensive. Our meals editor, Suruchi, nailed this tackle the traditional spaghetti bolognese that makes use of mushrooms and crumbled tofu as a beef/pork alternative. The outcomes are unimaginable.
Make it a feast:
Spice-Rubbed Rooster Thighs
What makes it party-ready: There’s nothing higher than a straightforward grilled recipe. Whether or not it’s hen, beef, or fish, taking issues outdoors can save clean-up time within the kitchen whereas including an additional factor of taste to your meals. Rooster thighs are an affordable and straightforward grilling possibility that may serve a crowd, and with this spice rub, these would be the hit of any gathering.
Make it a feast:
Entire Roasted Fish
What makes it party-ready: Roasted fish is a low-effort, straightforward approach to feed a big crowd. It’s additionally a dish that doesn’t depart everybody stuffed, which means extra room for sides and dessert. This specific recipe from Rebecca Peppler’s cookbook Le Sud, is served with a easy and scrumptious selfmade pistou that can transport your to the French Rivera.
Make it a feast:
Ratatouille-Model Roasted Vegetable Pasta
What makes it party-ready: At first look, a pasta dish may not appear particular sufficient for a cocktail party meal. However this isn’t simply any pasta recipe. Whereas it’s straightforward to prep and prepare dinner, it makes essentially the most of some flavor-packed substances that’ll take your meal up a notch. Plus, the pop of inexperienced it brings to your desk rivals any floral centerpiece. Main wow-factor.
Make it a feast:
Roast Rooster With Tomatoes, Lemons, & Cilantro Salsa Verde
What makes it party-ready: Everybody loves roast hen. This one has simply sufficient fascinating and shocking flavors to make it really feel dinner party-worthy. These charred lemons—yum!
Make it a feast:
Straightforward Selfmade Pizza
What makes it party-ready: My grilled pizza is really made for a celebration. However I’ll admit, it’s a bit of chaotic to make for greater than six folks. That’s why I often deliver it out at extra intimate gatherings the place everybody can get entangled. (This pizza celebration was considered one of my favourite gatherings ever.) The recipe above is for my selfmade pizza dough. Make a number of dough balls upfront—I often plan on three doughs for six folks—allow them to relaxation at room temp for a pair hours earlier than celebration time and proceed along with your favourite pizza toppings and technique of cooking.
Make it a feast:
Grilled New York Strip Steaks With Chimichurri
What makes it party-ready: That is most likely mine and Adam’s most frequently-made meal for a cocktail party. It’s extremely straightforward to tug collectively and enjoyable for everybody to hang around down by the grill whereas we make it. I often purchase one giant New York Strip for each two folks. Slice into 1″ items and serve on a giant platter surrounded by grilled tomatoes. Since it is a pricier lower of meat, it feels actually particular and I usually reserve it for a smaller feast. For a much bigger gathering, an inexpensive lower of steak like flank is a good possibility, too. (You’ll simply need to marinate it beforehand and modify the cooking time.)
Make it a feast:
Scorching Honey Salmon With Coconut Crunch
What makes it party-ready: These salmon bowls are an excellent meal for a summertime gathering on a scorching day. They really feel so gentle and refreshing, however nonetheless actually particular. For a women’ night time, I like to set out all of the toppings and let everybody construct their very own bowls. Not solely is it a enjoyable approach to get folks interacting, nevertheless it additionally permits visitors with different dietary restrictions to choose and select their substances.
Make it a feast: One of many lovely issues about this dish is that it’s really an entire meal in a bowl. The one factor I’d add is refreshing scoops of mango sorbet (or mango-basil ice cream) for dessert!
Easy Zucchini Pasta
What makes it party-ready: Generally, a celebration simply wants pasta. That mentioned, it’s not excellent for serving a brilliant giant group because it does want a little bit of last-minute consideration (plus, you’d want a actually large pan for tossing all of it collectively). This streamlined zucchini pasta combines easy substances into one luscious and opulent bowl that everybody loves.
Make it a feast: A loaf of crusty bread, plus a easy salad with contemporary greens (and a bottle of pinot gris).
Orange-Chili Glazed Pork Tenderloin With Carrot Pesto and Grilled Carrots
What makes it party-ready: I make this one when my mother-in-law comes over since she loves pork tenderloin. This dish is ideal with a double dose of carrots. It’s an excellent one to make outdoors on the grill, however within the cooler months, you may also roast all of it within the oven. Pork tenderloin is a type of cuts of meat that’s made for serving a crowd. You might simply scale this recipe relying in your visitor depend, then slice it up and organize on a giant family-style platter.
Make it a feast: The carrots are a brilliant satisfying aspect dish on their very own, and the pesto provides richness and taste, so that you’re nearly already in feast territory with simply this recipe. For a cocktail party, I’d add some herb-roasted potatoes or a easy kale salad.
Grilled Salmon with Stone Fruit Salsa
What makes it party-ready: That is a type of tremendous satisfying recipes that feels method fancier than it’s. And in my expertise, salmon is among the most universally liked fish dishes. Bonus: it’s foolproof! Grilling salmon on a cedar plank is a straightforward approach to infuse this fish with smoky flavors whereas guaranteeing it stays tender and moist. Plus, that stone fruit salsa provides the right little bit of sweetness to enrich the charred fish.
Make it a feast:
- I like serving this salmon with a aspect of herbed quinoa or wild rice. The fluffy texture and nutty taste provide a satisfying distinction.
- For a lighter aspect, toss collectively a easy inexperienced salad with a citrus French dressing so as to add some tang to the combo.
Sheet Pan Halibut With Italian Salsa Verde and Asparagus
What makes it party-ready: Right here is a type of super-impressive meals that additionally occurs to take little or no effort. Why? As a result of halibut is among the greatest fish ever. Plus, the truth that that is made on a sheet pan lets you simply make a number of fillets without delay. It has a lightweight, clear taste and buttery, flaky texture, so it doesn’t take a lot for it to be scrumptious. I merely roast mine with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then prime it with a vibrant Italian salsa verde.
Make it a feast: Add some potatoes that may roast proper together with the fish on a separate baking sheet. Or, you possibly can go for a bit of extra inexperienced and serve it with a giant kale salad.
Grilled Yogurt-Marinated Rooster with All of the Herbs
What makes it party-ready: Should you haven’t tried marinating your hen in Greek yogurt, this recipe will change that quick. It’s past straightforward (and cheap) to throw hen thighs in a scrumptious marinade and grill for a crowd. Recent herbs and honey add a little bit of zest and sweetness that complement this juicy hen.
Make it a feast: Serve this protein with a aspect salad or crispy roasted potatoes for an all-around easy and scrumptious meal that everybody will probably be gushing about.
Candy & Spicy Braised Brief Ribs
What makes it party-ready: Everybody at all times asks me for this braised quick rib recipe after dinner events, they usually’re at all times shocked to find out how easy it’s. I like so as to add some contemporary herbs excessive together with pink onion and lemon zest to brighten up the plate. As a result of presentation issues.
Make it a feast:
Spicy Tuna Tostada with Avocado and Crispy Shallots
What makes it party-ready: Toastadas are a go-to for just a few causes each time I’m trying to impress my visitors with straightforward feast menu concepts. They’re customizable, so everybody can choose and select what they need to add. This recipe can be a winner for gluten-free visitors. Merely swap in a Siete tortilla baked within the oven for a grain-free and gluten-free tostada.
Make it a feast: This Mexican chopped salad is simply hearty sufficient to spherical out your meal.
Dinner Occasion Recipes to Feed a Crowd
Rattling That’s a Keeper Winter Vegetable Lasagna
What makes it party-ready: Lasagna can lean a bit of labor-intensive, however take coronary heart: this dish may be made upfront. In my expertise, all variations on the traditional lasagna are winners—however this spin is my favourite take but. It’s hearty and warming with none meat, and the filling makes essentially the most of everybody’s favourite fall veg, butternut squash. The flavors are wealthy and sophisticated—and should you’re feeling as much as it, the recipe additionally exhibits you how you can make the pasta your self. It’s a dish value bragging about.
Make it a feast: Reduce the lasagna’s richness with a bitter aspect, like this radicchio salad. Or, if you wish to ship the autumn flavors residence, this apple and arugula salad is considered one of my favorites.
Danielle Walker’s Turkey Chili Verde
What makes it party-ready: When the colder months hit, I like serving dishes that evoke elevated consolation. They’re easy and warming, however simply particular sufficient. This flavor-packed chili comes courtesy of Danielle Walker, our go-to for paleo-friendly, scrumptious recipes. If you wish to make it vegetarian, merely omit the turkey and bump up all of the veggies. Danielle suggests both diced zucchini or minced portobello mushrooms. Yum!
Make it a feast: Salty tortilla chips or your favourite cornbread are perfect for dipping. Prime every bowl with bitter cream or Greek yogurt, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime
Gradual-Cooker Rooster Tikka Masala
What makes it party-ready: Even those that aren’t well-versed in Indian delicacies will love hen tikka masala. Though I continuously make this recipe on a busy weekday for our household, it’s additionally good for a giant feast. (Triple and even quadruple the recipe—your gradual cooker can deal with it!) Plus, the truth that you make this a number of hours earlier than dinner and it cooks away when you’re free to do different stuff is fairly superior.
Make it a feast: An Indian-inspired feast means serving one or two different dishes like Saag Paneer, Samosa Chaat Fries, or Indian Butter Cauliflower. Additionally required: heat naan and a giant pot of rice.
Straightforward Mexican Rooster Tortilla Soup
What makes it party-ready: I’ve made this soup for numerous e-book golf equipment, household gatherings, and buddies who’ve simply had infants. Everybody says it’s one of the best hen tortilla soup they’ve had, and it’s simply as straightforward to make a giant batch by scaling the substances. Positive, a pot of soup might not sound like a celebration, however watch me make it right here and see for your self how festive all these lovely substances look collectively. Plus, the smorgasbord of colourful toppings lets visitors have enjoyable constructing their very own good bowl of soup.
Make it a feast: I often serve this soup by itself—with all of the toppings, it feels full! Nevertheless it’s by no means a nasty thought to kick off a Mexican-style feast with actually good chips, a few nice guacamoles, and salsa.
Entire Roasted Aspect of Salmon With Citrus, Chiles, and Herbs
What makes it party-ready: Throughout my catering profession, I realized that probably the greatest methods to feed a crowd elegantly is with a giant roasted aspect of salmon. It seems spectacular popping out of the oven and is the right centerpiece to a buffet. Should you’re intimidated by shopping for a aspect of salmon, don’t be! There’s nothing to it, you actually simply ask the fishmonger for “a aspect of salmon”—I often plan for 5 to 6 ounces per individual. (You might even have the ability to persuade them to take away the pores and skin for you!) This one, with roasted citrus slices, is a good most important course possibility for Easter or Mom’s Day. I’ve additionally served it with nice success for cozy women’ nights with a bottle of pinot noir.
Make it a feast:
Lime-y Rooster Tacos With Jicama, Avocado, and Mint
What makes it party-ready: I like a taco night-themed celebration. Relating to feast recipes, few dishes are extra festive, and this surprisingly scrumptious combo of hen, jicama, avocado, and mint elevates your entire setup. For a bunch, I often set out a few large platters on the desk with all of the substances, move across the tortillas, and let everybody assemble their very own tacos family-style.
Make it a feast: For a bigger group, I like to supply a vegetarian possibility since there’s often no less than somebody who’s not consuming meat. Taco night time makes it straightforward: you possibly can roast some cauliflower and let visitors construct these scrumptious all-veg tacos in the event that they so select. I like them simply as a lot because the hen, so I’ll often eat considered one of every.
Lamb Meatballs in Tomato Sauce With Recent Ricotta
What makes it party-ready: A few years again, chef Seamus Mullen served these unbelievably scrumptious lamb meatballs because the centerpiece to a cocktail party he hosted in Santa Monica. As somebody who doesn’t prepare dinner with lamb fairly often, I got here residence feeling impressed to make this spicy lamb meatballs recipe for my subsequent gathering. Though they really feel particular occasion-worthy, they couldn’t be easier.
Make it a feast: Take a cue from Chef Mullen’s feast and serve with entire roasted cauliflower with salsa verde and a zesty radish, fennel, and grapefruit salad. Or, you could possibly go extra traditional Italian and serve it on prime of a giant bowl of olive oil-tossed spaghetti.
Pita and Kebab Board
What makes it party-ready: The very last thing we need to be doing at a celebration is worrying about a number of completely different meal parts popping out of the oven at precisely the suitable time. One answer? A dinner board that incorporates all the things visitors must construct their very own good plate. This straightforward and flavor-packed pita and kebab model just isn’t solely beautiful, nevertheless it’s additionally good for satisfying a spread of dietary wants. Vegetarians on board? Make them meatless. Gluten-free buddies can skip the pita. The listing of variations is really limitless.
Make it a feast: This board has all of it: hummus, feta, roasted tomatoes, olives, sliced cucumbers, diced veggie salad, and roasted garlic. What extra might you ask for?
Carne Asada Tacos
What makes it party-ready: Oaxaca has shortly grow to be considered one of my favourite locations to go to. With its vibrant tradition and numerous meals scene, there’s a lot for vacationers to take in. Alongside all the attractive, artisan-made items I’ve sourced for Casa Zuma, I’ve additionally discovered inspiration within the many meals I’ve fortunately devoured. Working example: daring and vibrant carne asada tacos that advantages from a mixture of herbs, garlic, and loads of spices. These are good for al fresco eating season.
Make it a feast:
Rooster Hearth Stew
What makes it party-ready: This stew is a stealth choose for celebration meals. It feels just like the consolation meals your mama might need made, however when offered with as a lot fashion as Shelley Armistead did at her seaside dinner, it’s all of a sudden elevated to special day standing. What makes this dish good for a crowd is which you could really throw all the things within the pot and stroll away. An hour later, dinner is served. Bathe with herbs and edible flowers—each for taste and a stunning presentation.
Make it a feast: Serve alongside spring rice with greens and peas.
Grilled Shrimp Tacos with Grapefruit-Avocado Salsa
What makes it party-ready: These shrimp have been on repeat in my kitchen this summer time. Their taste is unimaginable and the limitless quantity of toppings makes it good for nearly everybody. Belief me, that is THE grilling recipe for your whole outside dinner gatherings.
Make it a feast: Guacamole, or every other Mexican-inspired dip, may be served both in your taco or as a aspect dish with chips. I additionally love serving these tacos with a Mexican chopped salad so as to add some additional greens to the desk.
Skillet Eggplant Lasagna
What makes it party-ready: One-pan dishes that serve a crowd make feast internet hosting extremely straightforward. Should you’ve by no means tried eggplant lasagna, this recipe is a good place to begin. It turns a traditional dish into one thing each gorgeous and wholesome. You’ll by no means prepare dinner your lasagna the identical once more.
Make it a feast: With a heavier dish, I at all times serve one thing on the lighter aspect as my aspect dish or appetizer. Maybe an straightforward bruschetta or a easy salad to spruce up your desk and preserve visitors wanting extra.
This put up was final up to date on April 4, 2025 to incorporate new insights.
