50 Summer Dinner Party Ideas That are Low-Maintenance

50 Low-Maintenance Summer Dinner Party Ideas

Joann Pai/À Table

When it’s hot outside, we face a classic dilemma: entertaining a crowd with ease. Lugging around three bags of groceries and turning out a five-course feast in 90-degree heat? Not gonna happen. So when you’re in the mood to entertain but really don’t feel like cooking for hours, try one of these effortless summer dinner party ideas—from easy appetizers to impressive desserts—that taste (and look) spectacular.

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summer dinner party ideas mini key lime pies recipe

Photo/Styling: Katherine Gillen

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1. Mini Key Lime Pies

Silky, sweet, tart and crunchy in every bite—bring out the muffin tin.

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50 Low-Maintenance Summer Dinner Party Ideas

1. Mini Key Lime Pies

2. Seared Scallops with Citrus-Shallot Salad

3. Easiest-Ever Blueberry Biscuit Cobbler

4. Strawberry Galette with Whipped Cream

5. Caesar Pasta Salad

6. Sheet-Pan Gnocchi with Sausage, Peppers and Onions

7. Strawberries and Crème

8. Green Beans with Garlicky Pistachio Vinaigrette

9. Tomato and Yellow Zucchini Risotto

10. Bruschette with Heritage Tomatoes and Burrata

11. Roasted Salmon Tacos

12. Rodney Scott’s Pimento Cheese

13. Roasted Radishes with Butter

14. No-Churn Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

15. Five-Minute Bean Salad

16. Weeknight Skillet Paella

17. Mini Skillet Pizzas

18. One-Ingredient Watermelon Sorbet

19. Melon Caprese Skewers

20. Skillet Nacho Dip

21. Broiler S’mores

22. Skillet Pasta with Summer Squash

23. Skillet Lasagna

24. Summertime Rose Tequila Sangria

25. Skillet Peach Cobbler

26. Avocado Avenger Salad

27. Key Lime Pie

28. Greek Lemon Chicken Skewers with Tzatziki Sauce

29. Apple Tart with Soft-Pretzel Crust

30. Corn, Feta and Tomato Salad

31. No-Bake Avocado Lime Cheesecake

32. Greek Wedge Salad

33. Asparagus, Pea and Ricotta Tarts

34. Panzanella Salad

35. Strawberry Almond Tea Cake

36. Pasta Alla Norma

37. Grilled Caprese Skewers with Halloumi and Sourdough

38. Summer Corn and Heirloom Salad

39. White Sangria Recipe with Peaches and Berries

40. 20-Minute Burrata Salad with Stone Fruit

41. White Sangria Ice Pops

42. Corn Fritter Caprese with Peaches and Tomatoes

43. Mini Strawberry Ice-Cream Pies

44. Creamy Chicken, Corn and Tomato Skillet

45. Blistered Green Bean and Veggie Skillet

46. Zucchini & Tomato Ragù

47. Berry Galette

48. Creamy Sweet Corn Pappardelle

49. Shrimp and Pasta Stew

50. Skillet Chicken Fajitas

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