Easy Casual Dinner Party Menu Ideas

Relax and enjoy hosting your friends with these casual dinner party menu ideas. With a little planning, you can create a relaxed and easy dinner party for you and your friends.

Why have a casual dinner party?

In our fast-paced world, we all need to intentionally take time to sit down with friends and family to enjoy a slow-paced meal filled with conversation and encouragement. The importance is on spending time with others, so I share a few basic steps and menu ideas to throw a casual dinner party easily to take the stress out of hosting.

Invitations

First things first, decide on a date and ask your friends to join you for a casual dinner. Be upfront and tell them this is a laid-back casual dinner focusing on enjoying each other's company.

You can purchase invitations to match your party theme or send them general all-purpose party invitations like this one. If you would like a free copy of this invitation, join my Member's Printable Hospitality Library. You can find it there to print for free!

Hosting tips

The goal is to keep your menu simple. Choose a menu that doesn't require a lot of late prep work or last-minute cooking. It's a good idea to try and choose recipes that can be made ahead of time and heated up just before guests arrive.

Planning

Join my member's free printable library and download your own copy of my party planner. There is a menu planner and countdown task sheet that will help you easily organize your dinner. There is also a printable shopping list you can fill out and take to the grocery with you.

Tips for preparing your dinner party ahead

Keep yourself out of the kitchen when guests arrive with these few simple tips.

• Cook as many items ahead of time as you can.
• Wash and chop and slice veggies and fruits the day before. Keep them in an air-tight container with a damp paper towel. This will free up your time just before dinner.
• Shred any cheese you might need and store in a zip-lock type bad in the fridge.
• If you are serving baked goods, you can make them a week in advance and freeze them. Just allow them to thaw and slightly warm them before serving.
• Prepare any sauces or dressings ahead of time. Store in a glass jar with a lid in the refrigerator.
• Set the table the day before, and get out any serving dishes and utensils you might need.
• Arrange a drink station or coffee bar the day before.
• Splurge and prepare your food in disposable pans if possible. This will allow for quick clean-up after the meal so you can spend more time with your guest.

Dinner party decor ideas

Remember this is a casual dinner, so no fuss decorations are expected. Use a disposable table cloth or a simple runner down the center of your table. I have found some beautiful paper place settings that are beautiful but, more importantly, disposable. This will make clean-up a breeze and gives you more time to enjoy with your guest.

Disposable Paper Plates and Cups Set

Sea Blue Color Round Scalloped Rim Disposable Plastic Plate Set

Table centerpiece ideas

For your centerpiece, you could pick up a fresh bouquet of flowers from your local grocery store or use clippings from your yard. Combine some green plants with herbs to delight both the sense of seeing and smell. If it's winter, then purchase some whole lemons. Place them in a bowl and mix in between the lemons some fresh kale leaves.

Just before your guests arrive

• If it's dark, remember to turn on your porch and walkway lights.
• Have a designated area for your guest to hang their coats.
• Plugin your diffuser or light some scented candles.
• Turn lights on in all the rooms you will be entertaining in.
• Turn on some mood music. Try creating a playlist that your guest will enjoy.
• Do one last check on your food.

When guests arrive

Once your dinner guests arrive, relax and enjoy yourself! This helps everyone else relax and feel welcomed. I like to ask my guest to help bring out the food or prepare their own drinks. This makes them feel at home and relaxed. Most importantly, don't worry if things don't go as you planned. Your focus is on a casual dinner with friends, enjoying good conversation, and making memories.

Easy dinner recipes you can make ahead

Remember, the goal is to have a no-fuss casual dinner party focused on good food and great conversations.

Easy Mexican dinner menu

Have a Mexican-themed dinner. Appetizers can be simple chips and Green Tomato Salsa Verde, which you can make the day before. If it's soup weather, then make a batch of Mexican Vegan Tomato Soup. Heat just before dinner and serve with cheese or crushed tortilla chips and avocado slices. You can make this Nacho Casserole the day before and cook it just before guests arrive.

Easy soup night

It's always fun to have a soup night. Make in advance several soup choices such as White Bean Chili, Vegetable Chowder, or Copycat Wendy's Chili Recipe. Serve with warm Vegan Beer Bread or a variety of crackers.

Simple Italian menu

A simple meal to prepare ahead is a spaghetti dinner. Some of our family favorites are Spaghetti Sauce With Fresh Tomatoes. You can make ahead and then bake just before dinner some Italian Cheesy Pull-Apart Bread. Buy a simple Ceasar salad kit, and you have a whole meal in no time.

Chicken Alfredo Bake | Make-Ahead Meal Mom

Rich, creamy and absolutely delicious, you would never guess this came out of your freezer! Making your own chicken alfredo bake is easier than you think!

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Quick and easy menu ideas

Quick and Easy Pulled Pork Chalupas

Quick and easy pulled pork chalupa is a dinner that is ready in under half an hour but tastes like it slow cooked all day long.

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Stuffed Pepper Casserole | Simplified One Pot & NO Pre-Cooking!

All the magic of this comforting Stuffed Pepper Casserole happens in one pan, with no pre-cooking! Prep it ahead for a stress-free evening!

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Delicious and Quick Chicken Paprikash! - Straight to the Hips, Baby

My Chicken Paprikash shows off the full bodied flavors of smoked paprika and garlic, combined with bell peppers, onions, and savory chicken.

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Easy Oven Baked Meatballs

This recipe for oven baked meatballs is an easy weeknight dinner. The meatballs are made with ground turkey, a combination of spices and a few other basic ingredients. The meatballs are baked in the oven until tender and topped with shredded mozzarella cheese.

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10-Minute Brie Mac And Cheese

Thise brie mac and cheese brings home restaurant-quality pasta in just 10 minutes! Creamy brie cheese melted into every nook of the pasta!

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Easy Cast Iron Whole Roasted Chicken (Gluten-Free, Paleo)

A simple and easy cast iron whole roasted chicken that’s full of flavor, perfectly moist and tender, and just waiting to be served at the dinner table!

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Easy Homemade Banitsa

Delicious rolled banitsa with phyllo pastry sheets and white cheese. It is a Bulgarian speciality which you can make at home with common ingredients.

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Be sure and browse through these Easy Oven Roasted Vegetables for more great side dish ideas.

Crockpot party food

Mediterranean Crock-Pot Chicken Taco Bar - Two Healthy Kitchens

Make taco night special with this Mediterranean Crock Pot Chicken Taco Bar recipe! Easy to prep ahead for busy nights! Perfect for parties or game day, too!

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Easy Slow Cooker Beef Ragu

Flavorful Italian comfort food that only takes 5 minutes to prep? Count me in! This popular Slow Cooker Beef Ragu recipe is easy to make & so scrumptious!

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Easy Greek Chicken (Instant Pot, Slow Cooker, or Stovetop) - Slender Kitchen

The amazing Greek Chicken with lemon, garlic, and oregano is super tasty, healthy, and versatile. Prepare it in the slow cooker, Instant pot, stove, or grill!

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BEST Crock Pot Pork Chops Recipe - BBQ Slow Cooker Pork Chops

These Crock Pot Pork Chops are the perfect family dinner. Super tender, cooked in BBQ sauce and a special spice rub, then smothered with bacon and cheese!

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Instant Pot entertaining ideas

Instant Pot Roast Beef and Lots of Gravy is a quick and easy main dish to cook in your instant pot. Wrap some large potatoes in foil and pop them in the oven an hour before your guest arrives. Serve the roast beef and gravy over the baked potatoes, or if mashed potatoes are more your style, try these Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes. Add roasted veggies or a side salad, and you have a hearty homecooked meal to serve.

Instant Pot Salsa Chicken (Keto Friendly)

Instant Pot Salsa Chicken is a quick and easy keto recipe. Healthy low carb electric pressure cooker recipe with just 5 net grams of carbs.

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Instant Pot Chicken Tortellini Soup

This creamy Instant Pot Tortellini Soup ticks packs in the goodness of chicken, veggies and is super easy to make as well!

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Instant Pot Olive Garden Low Carb Italian Chicken

Instant Pot Italian Chicken with Olive Garden Dressing is an easy low carb, four ingredient recipe for the pressure cooker. It’s simple, yet delicious.

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Air fryer entertaining ideas

Easy Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas Recipe | Recipes From A Pantry

These Air Fryer Fajitas are full of juicy chicken and perfectly seasoned veggies. Air fryer chicken fajitas are quick and easy to make with pantry staples.

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Air Fryer Chicken Wings (Crispy and Golden!) - Nourish Plate

Extra Crispy Air Fryer chicken wings that are perfect for every gathering! They are crunchy from the outside, juicy & flavorful on the inside

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Simple make ahead desserts

Everyone loves cookies, and they are the perfect make-ahead dessert for a casual dinner party. Serve with coffee or a scoop of ice cream.

Coconut Cranberry Vegan Cookies

Coconut Cranberry Vegan Cookies are gluten free, dairy free and low sugar so you can have a healthy alternative to your cookie cravings. The sweetness in these comes from the cranberries and coconut.

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Soft and Chewy Blackstrap Molasses Cookie Recipe

This old-fashioned holiday favorite, Blackstrap Molasses Cookie recipe makes a soft and chewy cookie that has warm spices such as ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg. With a few simple tips, you will have a soft chewy textured molasses cookie every time.

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Pistachio Cranberry Cookies

Pistachio Cranberry Cookies have a soft chewy dough, crunchy pistachios, mixed in with sweet dried cranberries, and a hint of almond. They are sure to become a family favorite.

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Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream Pies

Easy to make, soft oatmeal cookie sandwiches filled with a layer of yummy fluffy white frosting will evoke sweet memories of the special snack cake, Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream Pies, your mother tucked into your lunch box.

Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies

Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies are gluten-free, thick, soft and chewy packed with sweet peanut butter flavor.  

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Bacon Pretzel Chocolate Chip Cookies

Bacon Pretzel Chocolate Chip Cookies are a sweet chewy chocolate chip cookie filled with little surprise bites of salty pretzels and bacon.

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Authentic Italian Almond Biscotti

Julia, from Jul's Kitchen, the famous Italian chef, teaches you everything you need to know to make Authentic Italian Almond Biscotti with this recipe. It's a classic Italian biscotti with a hint of citrus and almond flavor in a sweet, crisp cookie-like stick that turns out perfect every time.

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Dinner party drinks

40 Spring Mocktails are the perfect fun party drink everyone will enjoy being served at a relaxing dinner party. Choose one of these 40 mocktails for an easy recipe that will delight your guests.

Azalea Cocktail

The famous Augusta Azalea Cocktail combines fruity sweetness with vodka to create a delicious, beautiful pink azalea colored drink.

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Autumn Spiced Mocktail

When sweaters go on then it's time to make this low-calorie perfectly wonderful Autumn Spiced Mocktail. Low-calorie cranberry juice is simmered with fresh ginger, cloves, cinnamon sticks, fresh-squeezed orange juice, and sliced granny smith apples to create a mocktail that is a sure crowd-pleaser for young and old.

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Apple Cider Mocktail

This Apple Cider Mocktail a has tart apple cider flavor with warm maple sweetness and a surprising zip at the end that’ll make you question its zero-proof claim.

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More party ideas to try