The best casual dinner party menu ideas

by Lori Madden 11/20/2022

Whether you’re hosting or attending, it never hurts to have extra casual dinner party menu ideas. A casual dinner party is perfect for sharing comfort food and simple dishes without the fancy frills. If you’re searching for ideas for your next dinner party menu, here are some casual ideas your dinner guests will love:

Charcuterie platters

A simple charcuterie platter offers a variety of flavors and textures in a single dish. Arrange some of your favorite cheeses, fruits, cured meats and other tasty snacks on a serving platter or traditional charcuterie board. Serve with a fresh loaf of french bread or a selection of tasty crackers.

Crockpot party dips

For a dinner party idea sure to please the masses, try making a batch of spinach artichoke dip in your slow cooker. This warm, cheesy favorite is simple to make ahead of time and goes perfectly with a variety of dipping items like bread, chips or veggies.

Appetizers in the air fryer

If you have an air fryer, you’re perfectly equipped to make delicious party appetizers. Stuffed mushrooms, crab cakes and chicken wings are just a few examples. Try making your own mozzarella stick bites by rolling balls of cheese in breadcrumbs and frying until golden brown. Serve with warm marinara sauce for a delicious addition to any hearty meal.

Single-serving snacks

Creating a health-conscious party menu means more than addressing dietary needs. It also means preventing shared germs by serving bite-sized, individually portioned snacks your guests can safely enjoy. Some excellent ideas include mini caprese salad bites, bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers and roasted vegetable skewers.

Simple make ahead desserts

Don’t forget to include dessert in your casual dinner party ideas. Opt for no-bake desserts or dishes you can make the night before, like minty grasshopper pie or any number of no-bake cheesecakes. While these desserts might require a bit of prep time, you can rest easy knowing you have a delicious finale to your casual menu.

For a casual dinner party, you can’t go wrong with sharing food you genuinely enjoy. However, if you want some new recipes for your party’s dinner table, keep these tasty dinner party ideas in mind.

About the Author

Lori Madden

As a Florida native growing up in Sarasota, I have seen my hometown grow from a sleepy coastal town to a highly sought-after destination along the shores of the Gulf of Mexico. After working in Chicago for 5 years, I returned to Sarasota and saw it through a new lens and really began to appreciate what makes Sarasota so desirable, including temperatures that allow for year round outdoor activities including tennis (a personal favorite), golf, boating, kayaking, fishing, paddle boarding, or just relaxing and/or shelling on our pristine sandy shores, including Dr. Beach’s #1 beach in the United States for 2017, Siesta Key! Sarasota’s cultural amenities are many and diverse, appealing to a wide range of arts lovers. Downtown Sarasota has become a destination in itself, drawing many new developments for those who want to be within walking distance of Main Street's offerings and the picturesque bayfront and marina. Foodies will find an eclectic mix of locally owned and operated restaurants offering something for everyone, and there are now Farmers Markets every day of the week in various locations throughout Sarasota, but the Saturday morning Farmers Market in downtown Sarasota draws the biggest crowds. Since 1988, my passion has been selling real estate, representing both buyers and sellers. I have been recognized by my clients and customers for an uncompromising work ethic and dedication to helping them achieve their real estate goals. Relying on my experience as a real estate paralegal and being highly organized, I am able to help make the transition between contract and closing a smooth one for my clients. With an eye for interior and landscape design, I've been known to pitch in and help Sellers minimize and/or reorganize their belongings in order to stage their home to maximize its sale potential. I specialize in out of state buyers looking for their piece of paradise along the Gulf Coast and make it a priority to keep them up to date on our quickly changing local real estate market. I welcome the opportunity to share with you all Sarasota and her surrounding islands have to offer!