Dinner Party Menus

Anniversary Party Menu & Sandwiches

An anniversary party celebrates milestones in your marriage, but it doesn't have to be held at a busy restaurant or an impersonal banquet hall. An at-home anniversary party is intimate, family-friendly and creative. Instead of limiting yourself to a menu assembled by a caterer or cook, delve into your culture, history and life as a family to inspire a menu and memories that you'll treasure for years to come.

The Best Dinner Menus

Today's version of three square meals per day has changed. The recent food pyramid has been replaced with the visual image of a dinner plate that shows generous portions of fruits and vegetables next to proteins and whole grains. The best dinner menus incorporate a wide variety of satisfying nutrients with a focus on extra produce and less sugar.

Menu Ideas for a Fall Potluck Dinner Party

The cool autumn months traditionally are a time to draw friends and family close together for an intimate dinner. The tastes of autumn and the celebrations of the season are the perfect inspiration for potlucks that will please guests and family members alike. Stock up on paper plates and napkins for easy clean-up, and encourage guests to dress casually for a low-key gathering that is full of flavor and fun.

What to Fix for a Dinner Party

Although they’re more work for you than for your guests, dinner parties can be a lot of fun to throw. Successful dinner parties are full of great food and lively conversation -- and yes, you can show off cooking skills, as well. To make large tasks like a dinner party easier, break them down into smaller goals and write everything down.

A Barbecue Spare Rib Dinner Menu

Whether you serve a dinner of rich, tangy barbecue spareribs just once a year or frequently throughout the summer, make each occasion count. Although pork ribs have their drawbacks, namely saturated fat and cholesterol, they are also excellent sources of protein, niacin and hard-to-acquire dietary vitamin D. Beef ribs are less nutritious. Offer your family and friends the perfect menu to appeal to appetites as well as health concerns. Hitting all the food groups for side dishes will balance your meal and let the ribs be the stars.

A Menu for a Shrimp Dinner

Good things come in small packages, and tiny, flavor-packed shrimp are no exception. Fresh or frozen, shrimp is an easy and delicious solution to the dinner menu dilemma. Even picky eaters will be hard-pressed to resist favorites like tacos and pasta. When shrimp is on the menu, dinner will be sophisticated for adults, accessible to kids and delicious to everyone at the table.

A Fall Dinner Menu

When the tomatoes and sweet corn of summer disappear from the produce market, embrace the arrival of cooler weather with a seasonal meal that highlights the flavors of fall. Autumn signals a transition from light summer fare to heartier cool weather comforts. Take your cue from the produce department or farmer's market when planning a fall dinner menu. The abundance of apples, pumpkins, squash, cranberries and nuts inspires cravings for warm, earthy, sustaining meals.

Anniversary Dinner Party Menu

An anniversary dinner party must above all reflect the style of the couple it celebrates. Whether it's playful and whimsical or sophisticated and elegant, the menu must be carefully planned to suit the desires of the couple and the dietary needs of the majority of guests. If you're hosting an anniversary dinner party for yourself or someone else, the starters, sides, main course and desserts are top priorities. Start planning today to execute a fabulous party no one will forget.

Prime Rib Dinner Menu

Prime rib, also known as standing rib roast, is a choice cut of beef. As its name suggests, it comes from the rib section and includes between two and seven ribs, depending on the size of the cut. Because it is one of the best cuts of beef, prime rib is usually a dinner for special occasions, which calls for a special menu.

Potluck Dinner Menu

The most important part of your potluck dinner is the friends you invite, but a killer menu will make it truly unforgettable. Make sure that all of your menu items are easy to make and transport, and provide a relaxing atmosphere for your guests once they arrive. Include foods that are appropriate for all ages if children will be present, and have a selection of entertainment options to keep the little ones occupied.

Menu for a Halloween Dinner

Halloween isn't just for kids and it doesn't have to be all about candy. If you're throwing a Halloween dinner, you've got the perfect opportunity to show off your cooking, hosting and creativity. Don't worry about making your dinner creepy or spooky; instead, focus on delicious holiday-themed foods that satisfy both adults and children.

What Is a Great Party Menu for a Casual Birthday Party?

Just because your child's birthday party is casual doesn't mean the food has to be average. A casual party gives you the freedom to incorporate traditional favorites and introduce a few exotic but unintimidating dishes as well. Don't worry if your hosting experience is limited -- you can throw a fabulously casual birthday party with a delicious menu with just a little creativity and imagination.

What Vegetables for a Dinner Party?

Company's coming and you have a menu to plan. You've decided what to serve as the main protein, but you need to decide what vegetables to serve on the side. The trick to a no-stress dinner party is planning. Several days before your gathering, and after the kids are asleep, pour yourself a good cup of decaf coffee or tea and take 30 minutes to jot down your menu and make a list.

Dessert Party Menu

Planning an evening filled with sweet treats is both easier and more difficult than a traditional dinner party: you don't have to worry about overcooking the turkey, but you have to provide enough lightness and variety to keep your guests from seriously overindulging. Provide an assortment of balanced, not-too-rich options for your guests and your party will be a unforgettable hit.

Easy Dinner Party Menu for 6

An intimate dinner party of just six guests is barely more work than cooking for your own family, especially if you plan a menu that you can prepare in your spare moments over a day or two. Your dinner guests will be impressed with a three-course meal, and you can honestly say that it was hardly any work at all.

Kids' Dinner Menus

Playing short-order chef each night is the fastest way to sabotage healthy dinner habits. At the same time, finding one dish that appeals to everyone doesn't mean forcing the adults to nosh on pizza or corndogs every night. Take some basic staples and convert them into children-friendly suppers that are nourishing and easy to prepare. Use your kids' dinner menus to turn your humdrum preparation time into regular family fun.

The Menu for a Large Dinner Party

For some people, planning a large dinner party is as simple as breathing. For the other 99 percent of us, getting a group together to eat, drink and be merry is a cause for anxiety or outright panic. While the purpose of a dinner party is to enjoy the company of friends and family, the food is still important. The good news is that you can plan a dinner party menu that's delicious, easy to prepare and bound to impress.

Summer Party Menus

When the weather turns hot and the kids are out of school for months on end, many people are tempted to spend all day indoors with the air conditioning and the TV. Hosting a summer party gives your family, friends and neighbors the motivation to get out of the house and fully enjoy summer. Mark the occasion by serving up some distinctive seasonal refreshments.

What Is a Good Dinner Menu If I'm Having Guests Over?

Gathering around the table symbolizes friendship, sharing and thanksgiving for many cultures around the world. Nonetheless, when your turn comes to host dinner, practical worries can overwhelm the anticipated pleasure of breaking bread with friends and family. Learn to plan a dazzling, low-stress menu so you can enjoy your company and the compliments after the meal.

How to Make Dinner Menus

A weekly or monthly dinner menu can save you time and money. Planning ahead eliminates the temptation to order a pizza or hit the local fast food restaurant, making it easier to feed your family nutritious meals. You can plan your menus by hand, on the computer or even using your smart phone, depending upon what works best for you.

Menu for a Funeral Dinner

The meal after a funeral is a time for loved ones to gather and celebrate the life of the deceased. People likely will not remember the menu as much as they'll remember the comfort derived from being with family and friends. Strive to prepare a meal that is as easy to enjoy from a table as it is from plates balanced on laps. A buffet-style meal best accomplishes this.

Make-Ahead Dinner Party Menu

When you are having guests over for a dinner party, it can be difficult to get the food ready, keep track of your kids, and have all of you look presentable when guests arrive. With some careful menu planning, however, you can cook most of the food in the days leading up to the party so you just have to reheat it on the big day.

Vegetable Sides for a Party Menu

When your hands are full with decorations, games, favors and food for your little one's party, balancing the party menu with healthy vegetables may be the last thing you want to tackle. Yet tasty vegetable sides complement most kinds of party food, and parents will appreciate the effort you've put in offering a variety of nourishing, healthy options for their youngsters. Simple preparation techniques, convenient packaged veggies and a fun presentation turn the challenge from a chore into a party crowd-pleaser.

Barbecue Ribs Dinner Menu

Barbecued ribs are most popular during the summer, when you can cook them outside on the grill. Cook ribs in the oven with barbecue sauce during other times of the year. A few simple sides served alongside the meat can round out the meal and provide a full dinner menu for your family.

The Menu for a Lasagna Dinner

The welcoming scent and savory blend of cheese, meat sauce, and wide pasta noodles make lasagna a dinnertime favorite for kids and grown-ups alike. Low-fat turkey lasagna and gluten-free lasagna, with thin-sliced summer squash as a noodle substitute, make the dish accessible for your family's taste preferences and specific dietary needs. While it's tempting to serve hearty lasagna all on its own, a few simple sides that are quick to prepare turn the nutritious entree into a complete, well-balanced dinner.

Salmon Dinner Menu

Salmon is rich in flavor and surprisingly filling, which means the ideal side dishes are light and simple. Rice, fresh vegetables and fruit, as well as salad and soup, all have a rightful place alongside salmon at your family dinner. Choose side dishes based on the spices used to cook the salmon. If the salmon is cooked in flavorful spices or sauce, choose mild-flavored side dishes. On the other hand, pair mild-flavored salmon with bolder side dishes.

Menu for a Lobster Dinner

There are few entrees more succulent than lobster. And bonus -- it's a healthy option and a good source of protein. While the lobster will be the star of your meal, you'll need side dishes and accompaniments to round out your dinner. Look to dishes that will let the lobster shine while adding different flavors and textures. Above all, pick accompaniments that are relatively quick and easy to prepare so you can concentrate on cooking the lobster perfectly. Children are sure to be fascinated by the exotic main course, and the flavor will quickly win them over.

Perfect Drink Menu for a Party of 35 People

Between buying supplies, preparing the food, and decorating your house, throwing a party for a large group can easily become overwhelming. One thing that you shouldn't worry about is the drink menu. By choosing beverages that you can make ahead of time or that guests can serve themselves, you can avoid the stress of running around refilling glasses, and can enjoy yourself at the party instead.

Budget Dinners & Menus

Creating menus to feed your family on a budget can seem complicated, daunting and time-consuming. Take the challenge, and turn that chore into delicious, inexpensive dinners for the entire week. If you think creatively, you can stretch a few nutritious dinner entrées by preparing additional meals from the leftovers. You'll find that you not only maximize your food dollar but save yourself loads of valuable preparation time as well. Amaze yourself and your family at how a little simple menu planning can enable just a few basic entrees to cover an entire week's dinners. You'll probably notice the added bonus of a reduction in the amount of food your household may be wasting.

Dinner Menu With Quiche

When you've got hungry kids, breakfast for dinner can often serve in a pinch. Because you usually have quiche ingredients on hand -- eggs, milk, cheese, vegetables and flour -- whipping up a tasty and mouth-watering quiche doesn't take long. Round out the meal with simple accompaniments, making a dinner menu with quiche that the whole family will love.

Vegetarian Dinner Menus

Vegetarian kids know an important secret: vegetables are delicious. Despite the jokes about broccoli and lima beans, vegetarian moms and their families know that they can choose from many tasty vegetables and delicious meat-free dishes. Quick, convenient vegetarian dinner menus save time, so you can feel confident about your nutritious vegetarian choices.

Party Menu for Kids

Planning children's parties can end up being so overwhelming that many parents resort to boring, but kid-friendly, party staples such as chicken nuggets and potato chips. It can also be difficult to determine how much is enough, and when to serve kids a full meal versus a snack. By paying careful attention to the age of the kids involved, the time of day and the type of party, you can pull together a party menu filled with creative, kid-friendly foods that your guests might actually eat.