Hosting a dinner party for friends or having the extended family over for dinner. If so, this list of recipes for entertaining will help you plan your evening.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from years of family gatherings, it’s that food isn’t just food—it’s the centerpiece of every great get-together. Whether it’s a Sunday dinner with relatives packed around the table or a casual evening with friends, a well-thought-out menu can turn a simple gathering into something unforgettable.
Growing up in my Italian-American family, entertaining was just part of life. There was always a reason to gather, and that meant there was always food—lots of it. The best part? No one ever left hungry. From big bowls of pasta to endless trays of appetizers, every meal felt like a celebration. And now, whenever I have people over, I find myself channeling that same energy. Because entertaining isn’t about perfection—it’s about making people feel welcome, relaxed, and of course, well-fed.
Give a few of these simple recipes for entertaining a try and let me know how they turned out. Hopefully, you enjoyed them enough to add them to your recipe starting lineup. Leave a comment below and let the community know how you changed up the dish to invent your version.
Simple To Make Recipes For Entertaining
Let’s jump into this list of easy-to-make dinner Recipes For Entertaining.
Pan Fried Salmon Bites
Pan Fried Salmon Bites. Salmon cut into bite-sized pieces, breaded, and then fried to perfection. A crunchy and delicious bite!
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Caprese Salad Recipe
Caprese Salad Recipe. Fresh mozzarella and tomatoes layered and topped with a balsamic vinaigrette dressing.
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Pasta e Fagioli Recipe
Pasta e Fagioli Recipe. Ditalini pasta cooked with garlic, onions, carrots, and beans, simmered with chicken broth.
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Fried Eggplant Stacks Recipe
Fried Eggplant Stacks Recipe With Fresh Mozzarella. Thin cut fried eggplant slices layered with fresh mozzarella, sundried tomatoes, fresh basil, and finished with a balsamic vinaigrette.
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Grilled BBQ Chicken Kabobs
Grilled BBQ Chicken Kabobs. Boneless chicken breasts, bell peppers, red onions, and zucchini are placed on skewers, marinated in BBQ sauce, and grilled to perfection.
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Italian Antipasto Pasta Salad
Italian Antipasto Pasta Salad. Tri color rotini pasta prepared al dente and mixed with oil, vinegar, red onion, fresh mozzarella, roasted red peppers, olives, and dried sweet Italian sausage.
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Fried Calamari Recipe
Classic Fried Calamari Recipe. Frozen squid cleaned, coated in seasoned flour, and fried to perfection. Served with a tomato marinara dipping sauce.
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Chicken Saltimbocca Recipe
Italian Chicken Saltimbocca recipe with spinach, prosciutto, and fontina cheese. This is a classy meal that is great for a dinner party.
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Tortellini Pasta Salad – Greek Inspired
Tortellini Pasta Salad – Greek Inspired. Tortellini mixed with balsamic vinegar, oil, feta cheese, tomatoes, olives, and cucumbers.
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Fried Ravioli Recipe
Crispy and Creamy Fried Ravioli Recipe with marinara sauce and grated cheese. Quick meal is done in under 30 minutes. Great served as a main dish or an appetizer.
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Spinach and Mushroom Stuffed Pork Chops
Spinach and Mushroom Stuffed Pork Chops. Sautéed spinach, mushrooms, garlic, and asiago cheese stuffed into thick-cut boneless pork chops.
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Zucchini Fritters with Spelt Flour
Zucchini Fritters with Spelt Flour. Shredded zucchini mixed with eggs, grated cheese, and spelt flour and then pan-fried in olive oil.
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At the end of the day, the best recipes for entertaining are the ones that bring people together. Whether it’s a slow-cooked dish that fills the house with incredible aromas or an easy, no-fuss appetizer that keeps the conversation flowing, great food has a way of setting the tone for a memorable night.
So don’t stress over the details. Keep it simple, make things ahead when you can, and most importantly—enjoy it. Because the best gatherings aren’t just about what’s on the table, they’re about the people sitting around it. And if they leave full and happy? Well, then you’ve done it right.
