23 Spring Dinner Party Recipes That Demand a Patio Gathering
With summer entertaining, you’re sweating straight into your salad (and don’t even think about turning on the oven). Spring, on the other hand, boasts moderate temperatures and the return of fresh produce. While everyone’s still freaking out over asparagus, take advantage of the excitement and host a soirée. Start with these 23 spring dinner party recipes to inspire your menu, from crisp salads and vegetable-forward appetizers to all the strawberry desserts your heart desires. Our place or yours?
1. Seared Scallops with Green Peas, Mint and Shallots
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, special occasion–worthy, gluten free
2. Roasted Radishes with Butter
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, ready in <30 minutes, vegetarian, gluten free
3. Double Pea, Prosciutto and Burrata Platter
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: no cook, ready in <15 minutes, crowd-pleaser, low carb
4. Big-Batch Pink Negronis
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: no cook, crowd-pleaser, low sugar, beginner-friendly
5. One-Pot, 15-Minute Pasta Limone
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: one pot, ready in <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, vegetarian
6. Shaved Spring Vegetable and Apple Salad with Ginger-Dijon Dressing
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, no cook, under 500 calories
7. Spring Crudités with Romesco Sauce
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegan, dairy free, crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy
8. Spring Vegetable Risotto
- Time Commitment: 1 hour, 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: low sugar, crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy
9. Asparagus, Pea and Ricotta Tarts
- Time Commitment: 1 hour, 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy, vegetarian, <10 ingredients
10. Salmon and Fennel Dinner Salad
- Time Commitment: 55 minutes
- Why We Love It: dairy free, gluten free, high protein
11. Skillet Steak with Asparagus and Potatoes
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: one pan, dairy free, high protein
12. Strawberry Upside-Down Cake
- Time Commitment: 1 hour, 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, special occasion–worthy, crowd-pleaser
13. Strawberries and Crème
- Time Commitment: 16 minutes
- Why We Love It: no cook, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients, under 500 calories
14. Pasta Florentine with Grilled Chicken
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, high protein
15. Hummingbird Cupcakes with Pineapple ‘Flowers’
- Time Commitment: 4 hours
- Why We Love It: special occasion–worthy, under 500 calories
16. Mini Strawberry Ice-Cream Pies
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly
17. Skillet Roast Chicken with Schmaltzy Potatoes
- Time Commitment: 5 hours, 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: one pan, beginner-friendly, special occasion–worthy
18. No-Churn Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream
- Time Commitment: 12 hours (includes freezing time)
- Why We Love It: no cook, beginner-friendly
19. Cheater’s Mini Rhubarb Galettes
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients
20. Zesty Chargrilled Broccolini
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <15 minutes, <10 ingredients, vegan, gluten free
21. Charcuterie-Board Flatbread
- Time Commitment: 5 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <15 minutes, no cook, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients
22. Pork Milanese with Cucumber Yogurt
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: special occasion–worthy, high protein, low sugar
23. Strawberry Cobb Salad
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, dairy free
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