Dinner Parties
A well-planned evening starts here
A great dinner party starts long before anyone sits down at the table. Planning a menu is about more than choosing a few recipes. It’s about creating a meal where all of the dishes complement each other. I’ve gathered menu ideas, recipes, decorating inspiration, and entertaining tips to help bring it all together.
Think you need a different set of dishes for every holiday and special occasion? See how the same white china and gold flatware can be styled five different ways with just a few simple changes, making it easy to create a table that looks new every time you entertain.
If you’re looking for an easy salad that tastes fresh and a little different from the usual garden salad, this Mandarin Orange Romaine Salad is a great option. The sweet oranges, crunchy almonds and tangy red wine vinaigrette add lots of flavor without requiring a long list of ingredients. It’s the kind of side dish…
Whether you’re setting a traditional table or want something more creative, these easy DIY Christmas centerpiece ideas will give you some inspiration for your holiday tables.
This green beans almondine recipe combines French green beans with almonds and lemon in a quick stove top dish that feels special but is incredibly easy to make. It’s the perfect way to elevate everyday veggies, especially when you need a simple, reliable side for holiday meals or busy weeknights.
This blackberry goat cheese crostini is a fresh and flavorful appetizer that combines goat cheese with cream cheese and juicy blackberries on crispy baguette slices. It’s super easy to make, adds a pop of color and flavor to any gathering, and is works just as well for summer barbecues as it does for holiday dinners.
This black, white, and gold Halloween tablescape brings a perfect mix of spooky and sophisticated to your celebration. With a striking centerpiece and skull accents, it’s easy to create a stylish, memorable setting that impresses your guests and sets the mood for a fun, elegant night.
Bring the iconic Kate Spade style to your next gathering with a table setting that’s all about bold colors, playful patterns, and a touch of sophistication. From striped napkins to polka dot plates, this guide shows you how to mix and match with flair, ensuring your party is as memorable as it is stylish.
Valentine’s Day is not one of the holidays that I go all out on decorations for, but I do love to set a pretty table. Whether it’s using paper hearts as the centerpiece, folding a heart shaped napkin or making some simple floral centerpieces, I like to use easy Valentine Day table decoration ideas to add a…
This shrimp stuffed avocado recipe combines tender shrimp with zesty lime, jalapeno, and cilantro to create a refreshing and flavorful filling. It’s a super easy and tasty appetizer that’s perfect for a Super Bowl party or Cinco de Mayo celebration.
This Thai inspired red curry shrimp recipe is a perfect blend of succulent shrimp, aromatic herbs, red curry paste and lemon. It’s super fast and easy to make but tastes like it’s much more complicated.
This fuchsia pink and teal tablescape is the perfect backdrop for any summer gathering. Made with pink and teal place settings, teal napkins, pretty glasses, and a simple pink floral centerpiece, it’s perfect for an outdoor dinner party or even a wedding.
Baked chicken breasts with honey mustard sauce is a simple yet delicious recipe that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner. The combination of sweet honey and tangy mustard gives the chicken a flavorful kick, making it a hit with both kids and adults.
Garlic butter chicken roll ups are a delicious twist on your usual chicken dinner, packing a punch of flavor with every bite. They’re easy to make and perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself to a special meal at home.
Chicken piccata with mushrooms is a savory dish that combines the tangy zest of lemon with the earthy flavor of mushrooms, creating a mouthwatering main course. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this recipe is surprisingly easy to make and sure to impress your guests with its elegant presentation and rich flavors.
Apple Cheese Skillet Cornbread combines the sweet, crisp flavors of apples with the rich, savory taste of cheese, all baked to perfection in a skillet for that irresistible crust. It’s a unique twist on traditional cornbread, perfect for those who love to add a little sweetness to their savory dishes.
This black, white and blush pink tablescape combines a black and white striped tablecloth with pink and white place settings to create a beautiful Valentine’s table. A centerpiece made with roses and candles adds even more romance to the ambiance.
This white and silver winter table setting features a harmonious blend of shimmering silver and crisp white place settings, creating an elegant and serene winter ambiance. The arrangement elegantly captures the essence of a frosty, festive season with its sophisticated color palette and refined decor.
This fall tablescape with blush pink pumpkins and copper accents uses non-traditional colors to create an elegant autumn table setting. It’s perfect for Thanksgiving or any stylish fall celebration.
Discover a new way to enjoy pork chops with this mouthwatering marinated thick cut pork chops recipe. This dish uses a simple but flavorful marinade made from soy sauce, brown sugar, and garlic that is the perfect blend of salty and sweet. And shows you how to cook thick cut pork chops that are tender…
Experience the heavenly combination of airy meringue, rich chocolate, and luscious cherries in this delightful Black Forest Mini Pavlovas recipe. Perfect for special occasions, these elegant pavlovas are a sophisticated dessert that looks beautiful and tastes delicious.
With its delicious combination of savory mushrooms, tender zucchini and flavorful onions, this zucchini mushroom stir fry is a tasty side dish that is sure be a hit at your next dinner party or weeknight supper.
This flavorful microwaved broccoli with tomatoes and spices adds zip and freshness to the menu while still being fast and easy. Whether you’re grilling out, hosting a dinner party or serving a family meal, this simple side dish recipe will be sure to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters.
Made with tomatoes, kalamata olives and feta cheese, this oven-baked Greek tilapia is super easy to make and tastes delicious. Perfect for a dinner party or any time you want an easy fish recipe.
If you’re looking to make chicken drumsticks that are golden and crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside, you’ve come to the right place. These oven baked breaded chicken legs are seriously the best I have ever tasted!
This purple, black and silver Halloween table setting is perfect for an elegant dinner party. The colors say Halloween but the table decor is more classy than spooky. If you love purple, you could actually use it for any fall (or even Thanksgiving) celebration.
Shrimp and snow peas are a great stir fry combination, but with a savory oyster sauce, garlic and ginger added, they take on a new life. This dish is perfect for home entertainers looking for something quick and easy to prepare, but that still packs a flavor punch. So fire up the wok and let’s…
There are two types of people in this world: those who love bow tie pasta salad, and those who haven’t tried it yet. If you’re in the latter camp, prepare to be converted – this is one tasty dish! Loaded with veggies and a tangy Italian dressing, it’s perfect for potlucks or summer BBQs.
Ready in just 10 minutes and served with rice or pasta, this lemon garlic butter shrimp made with white wine (otherwise known as shrimp scampi) is my go-to dinner party recipe when I need something quick and easy. It tastes so good that everyone thinks it’s more complicated than it is.
This easy tutorial will show you how to make a beautiful and delicious fresh fruit charcuterie board for your next party or gathering. Made with watermelon, grapes, pineapple and berries along with multiple dips, it’s perfect as an appetizer or dessert.
Made with cream cheese, cherry pie filling and a vanilla wafer crust, this mini cherry cheesecakes recipe is super easy to make and the perfect size to serve at a party. And it tastes just like a traditional cheesecake would without the hassle of making one!
A charcuterie board makes a great appetizer for any party. However, it can be hard to know what to put on the board, how much of each type of meat you need for an event and how to arrange it. We’ve compiled some helpful tips so that when the time comes, you’ll know how to…
This creamy pistachio fruit salad (also known as Watergate salad, pistachio fluff salad or green fluff salad) is a delightful, old fashioned recipe. Whether you serve it as a dessert or a side dish, there’s never any left at the end of the meal.
Whether you’re hosting a flowers and butterflies party, want to create an extra special Easter table, or are looking for a pretty spring shower theme, this gorgeous flowers and butterfly tablescape may be just what you’re looking for. With a butterfly centerpiece that hangs from the ceiling, it will make any space feel truly special.
Christmas table decoration ideas can easily elevate your festive dinner from great to unforgettable, offering a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. From simple touches like candle arrangements and fresh greenery to more elaborate centerpieces, these tips will help you create an elegant and inviting holiday table setting. Whether you’re hosting a…
For elegant but easy garden party decor, ginger jars and hydrangeas are a beautiful combination. They were the inspiration for this blue and white outdoor dinner party table setting.
Setting up a buffet can turn your brunch from simple to spectacular with just a few easy steps. Learn how to arrange your dishes, manage the flow of guests, and keep everything fresh and appealing. It’s all about making sure your guests can easily help themselves and enjoy a variety of brunch goodies.
