Seasonal dinner party menu ideas, plus shopping lists for each.
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This post is all about seasonal dinner party menu ideas, plus shopping lists for each.
Here are some dinner party menu ideas and grocery shopping lists that can make planning a dinner party easier. Most of the menu ideas and shopping lists are intended for small dinner parties of about 4 to 6 people.
These menu ideas are intended to provide inspiration as you start your planning for a dinner party. You can always make substitutions according to personal taste or ingredient availability. For example, instead of serving a whole roast chicken, serve mustard braised chicken thighs. Or cook your favorite pasta dish instead of lasagna. One pot dishes are easy, flexible, and perfect for dinner parties.
Don’t forget to get paper plates, drinking cups, napkins, a tablecloth, and other paper goods that you may need.
Seasonal Dinner Party Menus + Shopping Lists
Easy dinner party ideas to help make your gathering a hit.
Elegant Spring Dinner Party Menu
This spring dinner menu uses seasonal ingredients and classic roast chicken.
Spring Dinner Menu
- Appetizers
- Roasted chicken
- Mashed potatoes
- Peas with mint
- Dinner rolls
- Dessert
- Beverages
What to Buy
- 1 container—marinated olives
- 1 package—smoked almonds
- 1 package—dried apricots
- 1 (3-lb.) package—whole chicken
- 1 jar—herb seasoning blend or spice blend
- 1 small bottle—olive oil
- 1 (13.75 oz) box—instant mashed potatoes
- 1 quart—milk
- 1 (1 lb) package—butter
- 1 (12 oz) package—frozen sweet peas
- 1 package—fresh mint herbs
- 1 package–spring salad mix
- 1 bottle—good salad dressing
- 1 (12-ct) package—dinner rolls
- 1—Bundt cake or 1 dozen package of cupcakes —or—
- 1 package—short cakes (found in the bakery)
- 1 bottle–refrigerated whipped cream
- 1 (16 oz) carton—fresh strawberries
- Beverages for 6 to 8 guests
- Spring flower bouquet
Spring Dinner Tips
- Rub chicken with olive oil and sprinkle the dried herb seasoning over the chicken. Bake chicken at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and measures 165 degrees Fahrenheit as measured by an instant-read meat thermometer at the thickest part of the thigh, away from the bone.
- Prepare instant mashed potatoes according to package directions. Add a few tablespoons of half-and-half to the cooked potatoes for extra creaminess. You could also make a pan of roasted new potatoes, as these are in season in spring.
- Prepare frozen sweet peas according to package directions. Wash and dry fresh mint, then use kitchen scissors to cut the herb into small pieces, until you have about 2 Tbsp of mint. Stir the mint into the peas, along with 1 Tbsp butter to season.
- Just before dinner is served, heat dinner rolls according to package directions. After removing the rolls from the oven, carefully butter the tops of warm rolls before serving them.
- Spring desserts in seasonal flavors, like lemon Bundt cake or strawberry short cakes are a great way to finish dinner.
- To make strawberry short cakes, spray whipped cream in the center of each short cake. Top whipped cream with fresh strawberries that have been cored and sliced.
- Cover table(s) with white tablecloths for an elegant look. Table runners, placemats, and napkins in spring colors—like pastel pink, green, or yellow, make great table accents. Place fresh flowers in a pastel, white, or clear vase at the center of the table.
Easy Summer Picnic-Style Dinner Party Menu
Here is an easy, no-cook summer dinner for those warm, sunny days when you don’t need a reason to have a get-together. This is an easy dinner party menu, because you can buy most of the party food at the deli, bakery, or supermarket.
Summer Dinner Menu
- Appetizers
- Fried Chicken
- Baked beans
- Potato salad or other cold salad
- Fresh fruit
- Dessert
- Beverages
What to Buy
- Fresh vegetable tray with dip
- Tortilla chips
- Salsa
- Fried chicken
- Baked beans
- Potato salad
- Pasta salad or other type of salad
- Cookies or brownies
- Sliced fresh fruit
- Iced tea
- Lemonade
- Water
Summer Dinner Tips
- Purchase a vegetable tray in the produce section of the supermarket, to use as an appetizer. Serve the veggies with tortilla chips and salsa. Don’t forget to set out a dip, like ranch dressing or hummus, for the vegetables.
- Pick up enough fried chicken for your guests at a local deli. A general rule of thumb is to buy or make two pieces of chicken for each guest. You can also add hot dog wieners or smoked sausage to the menu. Grill these, and serve them with buns and condiments, like ketchup, mustard, and barbecue sauce.
- While you’re at the deli, pick up some picnic-style sides, like potato salad, baked beans, pasta salad, or broccoli salad.
- Stop by the bakery to pick up some cookies or brownie bites for dessert. Arrange these on a platter for guests.
- Look for a fresh fruit tray in the produce section of the supermarket. The fruit should already be trimmed, cored, and sliced, which can save lots of time on food prep at home.
- Find drinks like iced tea, lemonade, or fruit juice in the refrigerated section of the grocery store. Make sure you have enough cups or glasses for your guests.
- Cover table with a picnic-style tablecloth. Serve lemonade and iced tea from drink dispensers.
Tailgate-Style Fall Dinner Party Menu
This casual fall dinner party menu is inspired by football season and college games.
Fall Dinner Menu
- Appetizers
- Chili
- Cornbread muffins
- Tortilla chips
- Chili toppings
- Fresh vegetable tray
- Desserts
- Beverages
What to Buy
- 1 container—smoked almonds
- 1 container—bacon cheddar ranch dip
- 1 box—crackers
- 2 lbs.—fresh grapes
- Chili ingredients (to make chili recipe of your choice, enough to feed your guests)
- Cornbread muffins (enough for guests to have 2 each, buy from bakery)
- 1 party size bag—tortilla chips
- 1 (8 oz.) bag—shredded Colby cheese
- 1 (15 oz) container—guacamole
- 1 (16 oz) container—sour cream
- 2 (16 oz.) jars—salsa
- 1–fresh vegetable tray with dip
- Desserts
- Beverages
Fall Dinner Tips
- Arrange smoked almonds, bacon cheddar ranch dip, crackers, and grapes in appetizer bowls or on an appetizer tray.
- Use your favorite chili recipe to make a big pot of chili.
- Serve the chili with corn bread muffins, if available in the bakery at your grocery store. Or, serve the chili with tortilla chips.
- Put shredded cheese, guacamole, sour cream, and salsa in bowls to serve near chili. Put plenty of spoons and tongs out for guests to use to grab food.
- A vegetable tray adds a refreshing note to a heavy chili dinner. Be sure to include ranch dip, vegetable dip, or hummus for the tray.
- Buy dessert at your favorite bakery or supermarket. Good, tail-gating style desserts include cookies, brownie bites, and cheesecake bites.
Winter Dinner Party Menu
This winter dinner party menu is inspired by classic comfort food. Lasagna is the main dish on the menu, but you could also substitute your favorite pasta dish instead.
Winter Dinner Party Menu
- Appetizers
- Lasagna (or your favorite pasta dish)
- Salad
- Bread
- Dessert
- Beverages
What to Buy
- 1 container—marinated olives
- 1 container—mixed nuts
- 1 package—cracker cut cheese
- 1 box—crackers
- 1 carton—spinach dip (optional)
- 1—family size frozen lasagna or fresh lasagna from the deli
- 1 (5 oz) package—spring salad mix
- 2—medium tomatoes
- 1—small red onion
- 1—medium cucumber
- 1 package—croutons
- 1 bottle—creamy Italian dressing
- 1 (12-ct.) package—dinner rolls
- Dessert
- Beverages
Winter Dinner Tips
- Serve marinated olives, mixed nuts, sliced cheese, and crackers for appetizers. Spinach dip also makes a good addition to the table.
- Look for frozen family size lasagna in the freezer section of your supermarket. Or, if your supermarket deli sells fresh, ready-made lasagna, then find out if you need to order lasagna ahead of time. Some delis require 24 to 48 hours notice to prepare food to order, for example.
- Allow plenty of time for the frozen lasagna to thaw in the refrigerator before baking it according to package directions.
- Rinse salad blend and dry it in a salad spinner. Serve with a good Italian dressing. If you like, add sliced tomatoes, red onion, cucumber, and croutons for a tasty, restaurant-style salad.
- Ice cream with caramel syrup or chocolate syrup makes an easy dessert for this dinner menu. Other good winter dessert ideas include red velvet cake or cupcakes, cheesecake, and cookies. Check your supermarket bakery for different options to fill your table.
This post was about easy dinner party menu ideas and dinner party grocery shopping lists.
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Credits
- Photo by Megan Bucknall on Unsplash
- Photos are for illustrative purposes only.