Favorite Party Meals

DS' 2nd birthday party is in 2 weeks and I am looking for ideas on what to serve. There will only be 3 kids there including my DS. Everyone else will be his aunts, uncles, and grandparents. So probably 12-15 people.

I usually serve things like: baked ziti, lasanga, meatballs, sausage and pepper, chicken wings, heroes, salad, bread.

Does anyone have any other ideas. I don't mind sticking with my standbys, but new ideas are always appreciated. Also - I'd prefer things that I can prep in advance - like the night before.

Favorite Party Meals

I'm no help bc I usually serve what you mentioned but I did add this yr sliders (chicken & skirt steak) & that was a hit. I also have rice balls too, which people love.

Favorite Party Meals

A friend of mine got catering from chipotle and it was a hit. They had all the ingredients and you made your own.

Re: Favorite Party Meals

For DD's family bday parties I sometimes get a platter of gourmet sandwiches/pannini's from Lombardi's Market.
It comes with a pasta salad, a tossed salad, then I add a half tray of grilled chicken or some other kind of chicken
Something different

Favorite Party Meals

Pulled pork is one of my favorites since you can do it ahead. Goes well with coleslaw, slider rolls, mac and cheese, pasta salad. You could add beef sliders with a few toppings to go along with it.

Favorite Party Meals

idk why but I've always had the best results with baby back ribs. Nothing messy, just oven braised and then tossed with BBQ sauce and a quick broil and I also make a teriyaki/garlic version.
Also a big hit: chicken cutlet medallions in brown gravy and mozzarella on top. Just don't season the cutlets or add cheese to the breadcrumbs- salty enough as it is.
MIL always made pepper steak and that went over well.

Re: Favorite Party Meals

We just had the family over for DS's b-day and had around 20 people. We ordered a 3-foot hero (chicken cutlet, with roasted peppers and mozzarella with a balsamic glaze), a full tray of Penne A'la Vodka, a half tray of meatballs and a half tray of salad (I made myself). We had plenty of food for everyone and even had some leftovers.

Re: Favorite Party Meals

Re: Favorite Party Meals

A few hits in my family in addition to what you and others mentioned:

eggplant rollatini
penne alla vodka
teriyaki glazed boneless spiral ham
chicken marsala (I did this for the first time at DS's party two weeks ago and more of it went than I thought)

Favorite Party Meals

Tortellini Salad is a party staple in my family. Its very easy. Cooked cheese tortellini, bell peppers (red, green, or both), cubed mozzarella cheese, salami or pepperoni, olives (black or green). The dressing is equal parts olive oil and red wine vinegar (I usually start with 1/3 cup of each and add if I need), onion powder, salt, pepper, and basil. Put all of the ingredients together, whisk the dressing then pour it over the salad and mix. Refrigerate.

Message edited 4/24/2016 11:15:31 PM.

Re: Favorite Party Meals

We did grilled skirt steak and a mashed potatoe bar as part of our last party. Huge hit!
Dh grilled the streak right before people came and I put it in a tin covered in microwave then into sterno trays
Same with mashed potatoes. Mashed them before and then put them in sternos to keep warmed. We did bacon, cheese, chives, broccoli etc as toppings

Re: Favorite Party Meals

pulled pork
mac 'n cheese
shrimp cocktail
sliders
antipasto

Favorite Party Meals

Thanks everyone!

I wound up going with the old staples since my parents are SUPER picky with food. Next time, I have my friends over I am definitely trying some of your suggestions.