Just lately, a very good pal known as me in a near-panic: “I’m having eight friends over tomorrow night—what in the world should I make for that many people?” I’ve been there, and it may be powerful to think about ceremonial dinner menu concepts which can be elevated and stylish in 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 through the years), I’ve assembled fairly a group of ceremonial dinner menu concepts to feed a crowd that verify all my required bins. All of those ceremonial dinner 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 prematurely in order that by the point my visitors arrive, I can be a part of the occasion with them.
I divided this submit into recipes that I make for dinners with 4-6 visitors (because of the cooking strategies, or the truth that they incorporate pricier elements), and the recipes which can be very easy to double or triple to feed a real crowd. These leverage bigger cuts of meat, build-your-own elements that allow visitors adapt to their dietary wants, and cheaper elements so your occasion funds doesn’t get uncontrolled.
The subsequent time you end up internet hosting a night get-together and questioning what to make, bookmark this submit for simple ceremonial dinner menu concepts to feed a crowd. Belief me: all these recipes will depart your dinner visitors pleased, happy, and ready for when their subsequent invite arrives within the mail.
Dinner Celebration for 4-6 Friends
Vegan Tofu and Mushroom Bolognese
What makes it party-ready: Tofu isn’t only a hero ingredient reserved for many who eat vegetarian or vegan—it’s a protein-packed staple with tons of potential that additionally occurs to be extremely reasonably priced. Our meals editor, Suruchi, nailed this tackle the basic spaghetti bolognese that makes use of mushrooms and crumbled tofu as a beef/pork substitute. The outcomes are unimaginable.
Make it a feast:
Spice-Rubbed Hen Thighs
What makes it party-ready: There’s nothing higher than a simple grilled recipe. Whether or not it’s rooster, beef, or fish, taking issues outdoors can save clean-up time within the kitchen whereas including an additional ingredient of taste to your meals. Hen thighs are a cheap 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, simple method to feed a big crowd. It’s additionally a dish that doesn’t depart everybody stuffed, that means extra room for sides and dessert. This explicit 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-Fashion 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 simple to prep and cook dinner, it makes probably the most of some flavor-packed elements 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 Hen With Tomatoes, Lemons, & Cilantro Salsa Verde
What makes it party-ready: Everybody loves roast rooster. This one has simply sufficient fascinating and stunning flavors to make it really feel dinner party-worthy. These charred lemons—yum! Watch me make it begin to end.
Make it a feast:
Straightforward Do-it-yourself Pizza
What makes it party-ready: My grilled pizza is actually 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 normally carry it out at extra intimate gatherings the place everybody can become involved. (This pizza occasion was considered one of my favourite gatherings ever.) The recipe above is for my selfmade pizza dough. Make a number of dough balls prematurely—I normally plan on three doughs for six folks—allow them to relaxation at room temp for a pair hours earlier than occasion time and proceed along with your favourite pizza toppings and methodology of cooking.
Make it a feast:
Grilled New York Strip Steaks With Chimichurri
What makes it party-ready: That is in all probability mine and Adam’s most frequently-made meal for a cocktail party. It’s extremely simple to tug collectively and enjoyable for everybody to hang around down by the grill whereas we make it. I normally 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 reduce of meat, it feels actually particular and I sometimes reserve it for a smaller ceremonial dinner. For an even bigger gathering, an reasonably priced reduce of steak like flank is a good possibility, too. (You’ll simply need to marinate it beforehand and regulate the cooking time.)
Make it a feast:
Scorching Honey Salmon With Coconut Crunch
What makes it party-ready: These salmon bowls are an amazing meal for a summertime gathering on a sizzling day. They really feel so mild 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 method to get folks interacting, however it additionally permits visitors with different dietary restrictions to choose and select their elements.
Make it a feast: One of many stunning issues about this dish is that it’s actually a whole 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: Typically, a celebration simply wants pasta. That stated, it’s not best for serving an excellent giant group because it does want a little bit of last-minute consideration (plus, you’d want a actually massive pan for tossing all of it collectively). This streamlined zucchini pasta combines easy elements into one luscious and opulent bowl that everybody loves.
Make it a feast: A loaf of crusty bread, plus a easy salad with recent 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 amazing one to make outdoors on the grill, however within the cooler months, you can even roast all of it within the oven. Pork tenderloin is a type of cuts of meat that’s made for serving a crowd. You could possibly simply scale this recipe relying in your visitor depend, then slice it up and prepare on a giant family-style platter.
Make it a feast: The carrots are an excellent 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 approach 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 simple method to infuse this fish with smoky flavors whereas guaranteeing it stays tender and moist. Plus, that stone fruit salsa provides the proper little bit of sweetness to enhance 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 combination.
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 means that you can simply make a number of fillets directly. It has a light-weight, 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 vivid 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 may go for a bit of extra inexperienced and serve it with a giant kale salad.
Grilled Yogurt-Marinated Hen with All of the Herbs
What makes it party-ready: If you happen to haven’t tried marinating your rooster in Greek yogurt, this recipe will change that quick. It’s past simple (and cheap) to throw rooster thighs in a scrumptious marinade and grill for a crowd. Contemporary herbs and honey add a little bit of zest and sweetness that complement this juicy rooster.
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 might be gushing about.
Candy & Spicy Braised Quick Ribs
What makes it party-ready: Everybody at all times asks me for this braised quick rib recipe after dinner events, and so they’re at all times shocked to learn the way easy it’s. I like so as to add some recent herbs excessive together with crimson 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 simple ceremonial dinner menu concepts. They’re customizable, so everybody can decide 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 Celebration 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 will be made prematurely. In my expertise, all variations on the basic lasagna are winners—however this spin is my favourite take but. It’s hearty and warming with none meat, and the filling makes probably the most of everybody’s favourite fall veg, butternut squash. The flavors are wealthy and complicated—and should you’re feeling as much as it, the recipe additionally exhibits you the best way to make the pasta your self. It’s a dish price bragging about.
Make it a feast: Minimize 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 really 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 Hen Tikka Masala
What makes it party-ready: Even those that aren’t well-versed in Indian delicacies will love rooster tikka masala. Though I ceaselessly make this recipe on a busy weekday for our household, it’s additionally excellent for a giant feast. (Triple and even quadruple the recipe—your sluggish 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 Hen Tortilla Soup
What makes it party-ready: I’ve made this soup for numerous guide golf equipment, household gatherings, and buddies who’ve simply had infants. Everybody says it’s one of the best rooster tortilla soup they’ve had, and it’s simply as simple to make a giant batch by scaling the elements. Certain, a pot of soup could not sound like a celebration, however watch me make it right here and see for your self how festive all these stunning elements look collectively. Plus, the smorgasbord of colourful toppings lets visitors have enjoyable constructing their very own excellent bowl of soup.
Make it a feast: I normally serve this soup by itself—with all of the toppings, it feels full! But it surely’s by no means a nasty concept to kick off a Mexican-style feast with actually good chips, a few nice guacamoles, and salsa.
Entire Roasted Facet of Salmon With Citrus, Chiles, and Herbs
What makes it party-ready: Throughout my catering profession, I discovered that probably the greatest methods to feed a crowd elegantly is with a giant roasted aspect of salmon. It appears to be like spectacular popping out of the oven and is the proper centerpiece to a buffet. If you happen to’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 side of salmon”—I normally plan for 5 to 6 ounces per individual. (It’s possible you’ll even be capable of persuade them to take away the pores and skin for you!) This one, with roasted citrus slices, is a good major 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 Hen Tacos With Jicama, Avocado, and Mint
What makes it party-ready: I really like a taco night-themed occasion. Relating to ceremonial dinner recipes, few dishes are extra festive, and this surprisingly scrumptious combo of rooster, jicama, avocado, and mint elevates your complete setup. For a bunch, I normally set out a few massive platters on the desk with all of the elements, cross 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 normally at the least somebody who’s not consuming meat. Taco night time makes it simple: you may roast some cauliflower and let visitors construct these scrumptious all-veg tacos in the event that they so select. I really like them simply as a lot because the rooster, so I’ll normally eat considered one of every.
Lamb Meatballs in Tomato Sauce With Contemporary 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 cook 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 less complicated.
Make it a feast: Take a cue from Chef Mullen’s ceremonial dinner and serve with complete roasted cauliflower with salsa verde and a zesty radish, fennel, and grapefruit salad. Or, you may go extra basic 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 lot of completely different meal elements popping out of the oven at precisely the fitting time. One answer? A dinner board that accommodates every little thing visitors have to construct their very own excellent plate. This simple and flavor-packed pita and kebab model will not be solely beautiful, however it’s additionally excellent for satisfying a variety of dietary wants. Vegetarians on board? Make them meatless. Gluten-free buddies can skip the pita. The record of variations is actually 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 turn into considered one of my favourite locations to go to. With its vibrant tradition and numerous meals scene, there’s a lot for vacationers to absorb. 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. Living proof: daring and vivid carne asada tacos that advantages from a mixture of herbs, garlic, and loads of spices. These are excellent for al fresco eating season.
Make it a feast:
Hen Hearth Stew
What makes it party-ready: This stew is a stealth decide for occasion meals. It feels just like the consolation meals your mama may need made, however when offered with as a lot type as Shelley Armistead did at her seaside dinner, it’s out of the blue elevated to big day standing. What makes this dish excellent for a crowd is that you may actually throw every little thing 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 excellent for nearly everybody. Belief me, that is THE grilling recipe for your entire outside dinner gatherings.
Make it a feast: Guacamole, or some other Mexican-inspired dip, will 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 ceremonial dinner internet hosting extremely simple. If you happen to’ve by no means tried eggplant lasagna, this recipe is a good place to start out. It turns a basic dish into one thing each beautiful and wholesome. You’ll by no means cook 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 a simple bruschetta or a easy salad to spruce up your desk and hold visitors wanting extra.
