Not too long ago, an excellent 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 banquet menu concepts which are elevated and chic to your night crowd. Particularly for those who 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 banquet menu concepts to feed a crowd that verify all my required containers. All of those banquet 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 company arrive, I can be a part of the celebration with them.
I divided this submit into recipes that I make for dinners with 4-6 company (as a result of cooking strategies, or the truth that they incorporate pricier components), 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 elements that allow company adapt to their dietary wants, and cheaper components so your celebration 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 banquet menu concepts. Belief me: all these recipes will go away your dinner company comfortable, happy, 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 lovely 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 fantastic contemporary taste that epitomizes warm-weather entertaining.
Make it a feast: Preserving 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 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 traditional spaghetti bolognese that makes use of mushrooms and crumbled tofu as a beef/pork alternative. The outcomes are unbelievable.
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 hen, beef, or fish, taking issues exterior can save clean-up time within the kitchen whereas including an additional ingredient of taste to your meals. Hen thighs are an affordable and straightforward grilling choice 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 approach to feed a big crowd. It’s additionally a dish that doesn’t go away 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 do-it-yourself 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 won’t 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 essentially the most of some flavor-packed components 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 hen. This one has simply sufficient fascinating and stunning flavors to make it really feel dinner party-worthy. These charred lemons—yum!
Make it a feast:
Straightforward Do-it-yourself Pizza
What makes it party-ready: My grilled pizza is really made for a celebration. However I’ll admit, it’s just a little chaotic to make for greater than six folks. That’s why I often carry it out at extra intimate gatherings the place everybody can get entangled. (This pizza celebration was one in all my favourite gatherings ever.) The recipe above is for my do-it-yourself pizza dough. Make a number of dough balls prematurely—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 together 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 in all probability mine and Adam’s most frequently-made meal for a cocktail party. It’s extremely simple to drag collectively and enjoyable for everybody to hang around down by the grill whereas we make it. I often purchase one massive 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 minimize of meat, it feels actually particular and I usually reserve it for a smaller banquet. For a much bigger gathering, an reasonably priced minimize of steak like flank is a good choice, too. (You’ll simply need to marinate it beforehand and regulate the cooking time.)
Make it a feast:
Sizzling Honey Salmon With Coconut Crunch
What makes it party-ready: These salmon bowls are an ideal meal for a summertime gathering on a sizzling day. They really feel so gentle and refreshing, however nonetheless actually particular. For a women’ evening, 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, however it additionally permits company with different dietary restrictions to choose and select their components.
Make it a feast: One of many lovely issues about this dish is that it’s actually 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 ideally suited for serving an excellent massive group because it does want a little bit of last-minute consideration (plus, you’d want a actually huge pan for tossing all of it collectively). This streamlined zucchini pasta combines easy components 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 ideal one to make exterior on the grill, however within the cooler months, it’s also possible to roast all of it within the oven. Pork tenderloin is a type of cuts of meat that’s made for serving a crowd. You would simply scale this recipe relying in your visitor rely, then slice it up and organize on a giant family-style platter.
Make it a feast: The carrots are an excellent satisfying facet 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 likely one of the most universally liked fish dishes. Bonus: it’s foolproof! Grilling salmon on a cedar plank is a simple 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 enhance the charred fish.
Make it a feast:
I like serving this salmon with a facet of herbed quinoa or wild rice. The fluffy texture and nutty taste supply a satisfying distinction.
For a lighter facet, 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 likely one of the finest fish ever. Plus, the truth that that is made on a sheet pan lets you 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 shiny 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 just a little extra inexperienced and serve it with a giant kale salad.
Grilled Yogurt-Marinated Hen with All of the Herbs
What makes it party-ready: For those who haven’t tried marinating your hen in Greek yogurt, this recipe will change that quick. It’s past simple (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 facet salad or crispy roasted potatoes for an all-around easy and scrumptious meal that everybody shall be gushing about.
Candy & Spicy Braised Quick Ribs
What makes it party-ready: Everybody all the time asks me for this braised quick rib recipe after dinner events, they usually’re all the time shocked to learn the way 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 a number of causes every time I’m trying to impress my company with simple banquet menu concepts. They’re customizable, so everybody can choose and select what they need to add. This recipe can also be a winner for gluten-free company. 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 just a little labor-intensive, however take coronary heart: this dish may be made prematurely. 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 complicated—and for those who’re feeling as much as it, the recipe additionally reveals you methods to make the pasta your self. It’s a dish value bragging about.
Make it a feast: Reduce the lasagna’s richness with a bitter facet, like this radicchio salad. Or, if you wish to ship the autumn flavors dwelling, this apple and arugula salad is one in all 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. High 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 hen 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 gradual cooker can deal with it!) Plus, the truth that you make this a number of hours earlier than dinner and it cooks away whilst 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 pals who’ve simply had infants. Everybody says it’s the most effective hen tortilla soup they’ve had, and it’s simply as simple to make a giant batch by scaling the components. 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 lovely components look collectively. Plus, the smorgasbord of colourful toppings lets company have enjoyable constructing their very own excellent bowl of soup.
Make it a feast: I often serve this soup by itself—with all of the toppings, it feels full! However it’s by no means a foul thought 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 facet of salmon. It seems spectacular popping out of the oven and is the right centerpiece to a buffet. For those who’re intimidated by shopping for a facet of salmon, don’t be! There’s nothing to it, you actually simply ask the fishmonger for “a side of salmon”—I often plan for 5 to 6 ounces per individual. (You could 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 principal course choice 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 like a taco night-themed celebration. In relation to banquet 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 huge platters on the desk with all of the components, go 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 choice since there’s often a minimum of somebody who’s not consuming meat. Taco evening makes it simple: you possibly can roast some cauliflower and let company 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 one in all 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 cook dinner with lamb fairly often, I got here dwelling 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 banquet and serve with complete roasted cauliflower with salsa verde and a zesty radish, fennel, and grapefruit salad. Or, you would 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 lot of completely different meal elements popping out of the oven at precisely the correct time. One answer? A dinner board that accommodates every thing company must construct their very own excellent plate. This simple and flavor-packed pita and kebab model will not be solely attractive, however it’s additionally excellent for satisfying a spread of dietary wants. Vegetarians on board? Make them meatless. Gluten-free pals can skip the pita. The checklist of variations is really infinite.
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 rapidly turn into one in all my favourite locations to go to. With its vibrant tradition and various meals scene, there’s a lot for vacationers to take in. Alongside all the gorgeous, 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 shiny 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 Fireplace 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 type as Shelley Armistead did at her seaside dinner, it’s all of the sudden elevated to special day standing. What makes this dish excellent for a crowd is which you could actually throw every thing within the pot and stroll away. An hour later, dinner is served. Bathe with herbs and edible flowers—each for taste and a beautiful 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 unbelievable and the infinite quantity of toppings makes it excellent for almost everybody. Belief me, that is THE grilling recipe for your whole outside dinner gatherings.
Make it a feast: Guacamole, or some other Mexican-inspired dip, may be served both in your taco or as a facet 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 banquet internet hosting extremely simple. For those who’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 cook dinner your lasagna the identical once more.
Make it a feast: With a heavier dish, I all the time serve one thing on the lighter facet as my facet dish or appetizer. Maybe a simple bruschetta or a easy salad to spruce up your desk and maintain company wanting extra.
This submit was final up to date on April 4, 2025 to incorporate new insights.
