https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 31 May 2026 04:36:44 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-casual-dinner-party-meals#post-1525540 Thu, 27 Mar 2014 11:04:53 +0000 Zbug 1525540@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Fondue! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-casual-dinner-party-meals#post-1525534 Thu, 27 Mar 2014 11:03:43 +0000 Boheme 1525534@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We do nacho bars, fajita bars, burrito bars, and baked potato bars. I've also just served heavy hors d'ouevres (meatballs, mini quiches, etc) with fruit trays and veggie trays. I'm also a big fan of making pulled pork in the crock pot for pulled pork sandwiches. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-casual-dinner-party-meals#post-1525495 Thu, 27 Mar 2014 10:53:16 +0000 gingerbebe 1525495@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would do pulled pork sandwiches in the crockpot. Its SO easy and always a hit. Its just a big pork shoulder or butt roast (or you can use country style ribs - same cut, just cut up into strips) covered in Montreal Steak seasoning and onion powder, a few tablespoons of Worchestershire sauce, and 3 bay leaves. 1/2 teaspoon of liquid smoke if you've got it. No extra water needed. Let it go in the crockpot until the meat falls apart and is easily shredded - anywhere from 12-24 hours, depending on how big your roast is. Remove the bay leaves any bone or excess fat. Skim some of the fat from the juices, but leave most of the cooking liquid in the pot. Using some tongs and a fork, shred everything and add your favorite BBQ sauce (we use Sweet Baby Ray's), tasting as you go, until its seasoned to your liking. Then just serve in a DIY bar fashion with buns, coleslaw, potato salad/macaroni salad, chips, and pickles. </p> <p>Another different spin on the taco bar, is the Greek pita bar. Cook some ground beef (or you can grill/saute some chicken breast) with garlic, S+P, oregano, and mint. Serve with warm pita bread, shredded lettuce, chopped tomato and cucumber, feta cheese, and a really quick yogurt sauce (see below). Some like hot sauce with it, so I put out a bottle of Sriracha too. Everyone can build their own pita. You can serve it with veggies and hummus, olives, and some salad greens if people prefer a Greek salad. Best of all, it doesn't take any more time than a taco bar.</p> <p>For the yogurt sauce:<br /> 3/4 cup plain, unsweetened greek yogurt<br /> 1/4 cup mayonnaise<br /> 1 clove garlic, minced<br /> 2 teaspoons juice from 1 lemon<br /> 2 tablespoons chopped parsley or mint<br /> Salt and pepper to taste </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-casual-dinner-party-meals#post-1524610 Wed, 26 Mar 2014 22:31:53 +0000 deerylou 1524610@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Gourmet pizzas (with ingredients like goats cheese, asparagus, sundried tomatoes, ricotta, fancy sausage, etc)<br /> Rustic soup and crusty bread<br /> Small plates/appetizers </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-casual-dinner-party-meals#post-1524565 Wed, 26 Mar 2014 21:59:10 +0000 mrs.shinerbock 1524565@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just did King Ranch Chicken Casserole for LOs baptism celebration. It was a hit and super easy since I used rotisserie chicken. Gumbo is another one that I like to do. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-casual-dinner-party-meals#post-1524563 Wed, 26 Mar 2014 21:56:17 +0000 regberadaisy 1524563@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Depends on # of people and who. If it's our BFFs we totally have fun and make fun new stuff. If it's my ILs that are involved we go a lot safer and do stuff like homemade pasta and homemade pasta sauce. For intimate dinners we like to do sit down dinners instead of bar/buffer style. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-casual-dinner-party-meals#post-1524555 Wed, 26 Mar 2014 21:53:48 +0000 MrsPastryLady 1524555@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Annoying that you can make in a big pot. I tend to do a lot of stew/braise type meals for groups because you just need to prep and then let it cook on the stove or in the oven if you have an ovenproof pot and lid. You can then make a couple of sides of veggies or polenta/couscous/rice </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-casual-dinner-party-meals#post-1522814 Wed, 26 Mar 2014 12:59:54 +0000 septca 1522814@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sausage and peppers or meatballs and sub rolls + salad<br /> Carnitas made in the crock pot with all the fixings for soft tacos<br /> A big pot of spaghetti bolognese </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-casual-dinner-party-meals#post-1522771 Wed, 26 Mar 2014 12:53:42 +0000 LuLu Mom 1522771@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Baked Potato Bar<br /> Pasta Bar<br /> Lasgana (Pioneer Woman has an incredible one that I get raves about)<br /> Pulled Pork/sides (indoor picnic)<br /> Soups - if it's cold<br /> Hamburgers </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-casual-dinner-party-meals#post-1522767 Wed, 26 Mar 2014 12:52:53 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 1522767@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Chili in the winter months...<br /> Mac &amp; Cheese, BBQ turkey wings<br /> Spaghetti </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-casual-dinner-party-meals#post-1522764 Wed, 26 Mar 2014 12:52:42 +0000 Freckles 1522764@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It depends on how big the party is. </p> <p>If it's another family or two:<br /> - korean style bo ssam (<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/15/magazine/recipe-momofuku-bo-ssam.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/15/magazine/recipe-momofuku-bo-ssam.html</a>)<br /> - roasted whole chicken with roasted veggies and salad<br /> - pizzas + salad </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-casual-dinner-party-meals#post-1522757 Wed, 26 Mar 2014 12:51:26 +0000 littlebug 1522757@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Homemade stromboli is always a big hit - I make it every year for our Superbowl party. For other parties we've done a crock of meatballs or a crock of sausages, peppers, and onions in beer. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/favorite-casual-dinner-party-meals#post-1522744 Wed, 26 Mar 2014 12:47:50 +0000 swurlygurl 1522744@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What are some of you favorite meals when you host or go to casual dinner parties? (Not like 5 course meals or anything)</p> <p>Having some people of for dinner Friday night (going to reveal baby's sex to family :) ), and I am just out of ideas/inspiration for fun dinners.</p> <p>Some usuals for me are:<br /> Chili<br /> Hot dog bar<br /> Make-your-own Pizza bar<br /> Different lasagnas + homemade bread<br /> Enchiladas + sides<br /> Taco bar</p> <p>Looking for some new ideas! </p>