One of the toughest parts of hosting a holiday dinner is planning the menu. Which makes total sense given that everyone seems to have a dietary restriction these days. (Aunt Carol is dabbling in Paleo, your friend Sarah is “off meat” this week…) Behold: Dinner menu ideas that have something for everyone, from impressive apps to super-fun desserts.
The Appetizers
Curb hanger before it starts
Cherry Tomato Tulips
We’re not knocking cheese and crackers—we’re just saying there are more exciting things to try this year. Like these cherry tomato tulips. *Cue everyone fawning over adorable food* They’re surprisingly easy to assemble, and did we mention they’re keto?
PHOTO: NICO SCHINCO/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
Pull-Apart Bread with Caramelized Onions and Goat Cheese
Adults will love this grown-up recipe twist, and kids will love twisting it apart.
PHOTO: NICO SCHINCO/STYLING: HEATH GOLDMAN
Crispy Bacon-Wrapped Brussels Sprouts
It’s hard to talk politics with a full mouth.
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
Mexican Street Corn Deviled Eggs
A cultural twist on an Easter classic.
The EntrÉes
Time to feast
Honey Mustard Chicken Bake
A great way to narrow down menu options is to tally the number of guests. An intimate dinner for six? A dish with individual pieces, like this honey mustard chicken bake, gets the job done without an unholy amount of leftovers. Feeding a group of 20? Explore the following big-batch dishes instead.
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
Spicy Orange-Honey Glazed Ham
It’s tradition, after all.
NISHA VORA
Creamy Vegan Lentil and Roasted Vegetable Bake
For your vegan friends.
The Sides
More like festive fixings
Salt and Vinegar Roasted Potatoes with Feta and Dill
This recipe for salt and vinegar roasted potatoes will not only satisfy your guests’ need for starch but also give them a flavorful and textural awakening that will have them scraping their plates. And on the off chance you have leftovers, these potatoes go great with eggs in the morning.
HENRY HARGREAVES/AVOCADERIA
Avocado Caesar Salad
Forget what you think you know about Caesar salads.
PHOTO: NICO SCHINCO/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
Sweet and Spicy Cornbread
An exciting change of pace from the Thanksgiving version.
PHOTO: MICHAEL MARQUAND/STYLING: CAROLINE LANGE
5-Ingredient Smoked Gouda-Thyme Mac and Cheese
Guilty pleasure, but make it fancy.
The Desserts
Fine, we’ll tell you our secret ingredient…
Macaroon Easter Egg Nests
Just imagine your guests’ reactions when they see a tray full of adorable miniature egg nests. These macaroons are easy to eat (just try to stop at one) and even easier to make. And the M&M’s Milk Chocolate Speck-tacular Eggs? Like a cherry on top, but better.
PureWow
Confetti Grass Cupcakes
Yet another adorable dessert made even more festive by M&M’s Speck-tacular Eggs.
PureWow
Bunny Chow
Leave some out for the Easter Bunny (hey, he works hard), then finish it off after dinner.
PureWow
Mason Jar Easter Egg Baskets
Psst, you can swap the chocolate bunnies for marshmallow chicks if you’re in the mood to mix it up.
