Plan an Easy Dinner Party Menu

Posted by on February 15, 2023

Dinner parties are back! If you’re hungering for good reason to see your friends again, why not host a get-together over a homemade meal. Here are some tips and ideas to get you started, plus easy dinner party recipes that will get raves from your guests!

  1. Keep it small. A dinner party is meant to be an intimate gathering, with good food and conversation. Especially if you aren’t an experienced host, plan to invite 4-6 guests.
  2. Make it easygoing. While bringing strangers together can spark lively conversation, inviting people who already have a relationship contributes to a relaxed and easy mood.
  3. Cook with confidence. When planning a simple dinner party menu, choose dishes you are familiar with and prepare well. If you are in the mood for something new, do a trial run ahead of the party.
  4. Consider your guests. You’re likely to have a general idea of your friends’ eating styles and any special considerations (e.g., allergies, vegetarian diet). If you feel guests may be open to trying new things, go for it! If you’ve seen them turn up their noses at unfamiliar foods, play it safe.
  5. Manage your time. Since the goal of a dinner party is to spend quality time with friends, you may wish to choose easy dinner party recipes that can be largely made ahead so you won’t be stuck in the kitchen cooking while your guests enjoy each other.

Need some ideas for what to serve at your next dinner party? Here are some easy entertaining dinner recipes to try!

Appetizers

Awaken your guests’ taste buds with one or two appetizers.

Try these Antipasto Kabobs
Antipasto Kabobs
Try this Holiday Antipasto Wreath
Holiday Antipasto Wreath
Try these Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms
Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms
Try these Cheesy Blossoms
Cheesy Blossoms
Try these Everything Bagel Cucumber Bites
Everything Bagel Cucumber Bites
Try this Fiesta Shrimp Cocktail
Fiesta Shrimp Cocktail

People-Pleasing Entrees

Select main dishes that will allow you to spend time with your guests, not in the kitchen.

Try this Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin
Try this Artichoke & Spinach Veggie Frittata
Artichoke & Spinach Veggie Frittata
Try this Classic Chicken Pot Pie
Classic Chicken Pot Pie
Try this Creamy Shrimp Scampi
Creamy Shrimp Scampi
Try this Grilled Steak with Chimichurri Sauce
Grilled Steak with Chimichurri Sauce
Try these Mama's Spinach & Herb Lasagna Roll-Ups
Mama's Spinach & Herb Lasagna Roll-Ups
Try these Mediterranean Chicken Kabobs
Mediterranean Chicken Kabobs
Try these Pesto Pork Chops
Pesto Pork Chops
Try this Pork Saltimbocca
Pork Saltimbocca
Try this Rhubarb Strawberry Glazed Salmon
Rhubarb Strawberry Glazed Salmon
Try this Skillet Chicken with Light Bacon Cream Sauce
Skillet Chicken with Light Bacon Cream Sauce
Try this Pan-Seared Tilapia
Pan-Seared Tilapia

Just-Right Sides

Use sides to enhance and complement your main dish.

Try these Bacon Sautéed Brussels Sprouts
Bacon Sautéed Brussels Sprouts
Try these Bountiful Cheesy Biscuits
Bountiful Cheesy Biscuits
Try these Eat the Rainbow Veggie Kabobs
Eat the Rainbow Veggie Kabobs
Try this Everything Bagel Salad
Everything Bagel Salad
Try these Garlic Pepper Breadsticks
Garlic Pepper Breadsticks
Try this Garlic Roasted Brussels Sprouts & Squash
Garlic Roasted Brussels Sprouts & Squash
Try this Rustic Herb Focaccia
Rustic Herb Focaccia
Try this Sí Sí Cilantro Rice
Sí Sí Cilantro Rice
Try this Sí Sí Pico de Gallo
Sí Sí Pico de Gallo
Try this Summer Orzo Citrus Salad
Summer Orzo Citrus Salad
Try this Ultimate Grilled Asparagus
Ultimate Grilled Asparagus
Try this Vidalia Spinach & Berry Salad
Vidalia Spinach & Berry Salad

Big Finish Desserts

Leave your guests with sweet memories with an unforgettable dessert.

Try this Almond Boston Cream Pie
Almond Boston Cream Pie
Try these Balsamic Strawberries
Balsamic Strawberries
Try this Baked Cinnamon Apples
Baked Cinnamon Apples
Try this Blueberry Almond Bundt Cake
Blueberry Almond Bundt Cake
Try this Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake
Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake
Try these Sunny Lemon & Strawberry Cake Bites
Sunny Lemon & Strawberry Cake Bites

Looking for even more easy dinner party meals? Check out our thousands of easy and delicious recipes here!

– kgm