The last two years of social distancing have wreaked havoc on all of our social lives. Now that the world is finally opening back up, one thing is abundantly clear: we can have people over again. And that means dinner parties! 

The last two years of social distancing have wreaked havoc on all of our social lives. Now that the world is finally opening back up, one thing is abundantly clear: we can have people over again. And that means dinner parties! 

The secret to the perfect dinner party is planning. After you compile your guest list and determine the theme, it’s time to decide on the menu. And we’ve got you covered with a dinner party recipe roundup to please any palette.

Keep reading to discover 19 easy-peasy recipes to make your dinner party a hit.

When your guests first arrive, they’ve likely abstained from eating in preparation for the meal. After they’ve removed their shoes and hung their coats, lead them to an area to grab some light munchies and drinks. 

First up, you can’t go wrong with chips, veggies, and an assortment of dip, just like in these first three recipes. You’ll get more flavor depth and control over the nutrition of your ingredients with these homemade options:

1. Savory Buttermilk french onion dip
2. Creamy and delicious ranch dressing
3. Kid-friendly sweet potato hummus
4. The perfect Cheeseboard - Fruit, crackers, nuts, and cheese go a long way to staving off hunger and keeping guests happy.
   
   

Aperitifs are no-to-low-alcoholic beverages that cleanse the pallet before dinner. If you have stronger alcohol options, ensure that you have appetizers that include bread or something fatty for balance.

1. A refreshing and minty Mojito pitcher
2. A bittersweet and citrusy Aperol Spritzer Cocktail
3. The classic Gin Gimlet that goes well with everything

While the atmosphere and conversation are the night's highlights, the entrée is the star of the show. The best way to ensure you nail it is to keep things simple. New recipes are a lot of fun to try, but you’ll want to avoid becoming too ambitious. First, choose 'doable' recipes that aren’t entirely new to you. Some unique aspects are okay, but you may need to try something else if you have to look up every ingredient. Second, do as much of the work the day before as possible. 

Luckily, these recipes are both easy and delicious and give guests the impression you’ve been in the kitchen for hours:

1. Crusted and delicious Roasted cauliflower-broccoli pasta bake by Curtis Stone
2. Yummy, Creamy chicken pot pie
3. Salty and savory Linguini with peas, prosciutto, and lemon cream sauce
4. Refreshing Pesto pasta salad with ricotta and late summer vegetables to make ahead
5. Filling Cobb salad with homemade chipotle ranch dressing for guests cutting down on calories
6. Traditional roasted rack of lamb with fresh roasted veggies and Lemony risotto

After dinner has settled a bit, it’s time for dessert. Depending on your main course, your dessert can be as light or decadent as you want. If your guests have just finished a large helping of pot roast, it’s unlikely that they’ll be able to stomach a heavy dessert. These recipes are all crowd-pleasers, and all taste amazing with Old fashioned homemade vanilla ice cream:

1. Creamy White chocolate meltaways
2. Cute and tangy Custard tartlets with fresh berries
3. Decadent Chocolate bread pudding by Curtis Stone
4. Silky Chocolate cinnamon pots de crème
5. Beautiful and easy Chocolate blood orange tart featuring Hershey’s a2 Milk®

Don’t forget to offer your guests plenty of non-alcoholic beverages. These lattes are crowd-pleasers and go perfectly with a sweet dessert.

1. Latte three delicious ways

Dinner parties are an essential bonding experience for family and friends new and old. Celebrations are grand, but you never need a reason to show someone you love and appreciate them. And what better way to do that than by making them dinner? Remember to plan ahead, always consider your guests' lifestyles, and grab a2 Milk® from a grocer near you. Your tummy will be glad you did.