Easy entree suggestions for a dinner party of 8?

Question

I'm having a dinner party for 8 people this saturday - and I want some suggestions (recipe's) for a main entree, that's easy to make and that I can perhaps prepare the night before so that I have time to clean and prep before the dinner party begins

Answer 1

this is an easy but very tasty dish and its one i get tons of requests for at all holiday and family reunions.. and just because my momma wants some once a month lol...

Ang®'s Chicken Supreme

boneless chicken pieces, breast or thigh... i usually use both....
a bag of baby carrots sliced on a 45 degree angle in 1/8 slices..

several cans of spinach well drained....
(can also use green beans if your guest doesnt like spinach)

garlic (can use fresh sliced or the diced that comes in a jar) do not use dried garlic or garlic powder - salt... it just doesnt taste right)

16 0z of sliced mushrooms

cream of mushroom soup

Gather the ingredients and a large baking pan or roaster...

scatter enough garlic to loosely form a layer across the bottom of the pan.. dont overload so that its a completed cover (if using diced three or four tablespoons is enough)

next layer - the sliced baby carrots.....

3rd layer.... the chicken pieces......

4th layer spread the drained spinach or green beans on top of the chicken to cover about half an inch thick across the entire pan...

5th layer... sliced mushrooms.....


6th layer.....cover entire dish in cream of mushroom soup... about half an inch thick or so....

pop in the oven uncovered at 325 degrees for 30 mins.. check chicken at that point to see if its cooked all the way thru .. if not .. pop back in for 10 -15 mins at a time till it is....

Serve with big serving spoon doing your best to get all layers in one scoop...

prep time is very minimal and not only is it delicious, its a healthy, colorful and attractive dish... and also is even better after refrigerated and heated up in the oven the second day.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Entree Suggestions

Answer 4

The last recipe suggested also sounded good, but if you are looking for something that is more casual and that allows for different tastes among your guests, I was thinking of a make-your-own soft taco bar. You could get tortillas, shredded cheese, refried beans, ground beef or chicken, salsa and other fillings and set them out on a side table, and everyone can pick what they like. That's also an easy way to have a vegetarian option. Most of the prep work (shredding cheese, chopping tomatoes and onions) could be done ahead of time. You could also do make your own pizza, baked potatoes, or whatever. For a fancier version you could have fondue with veggies and bread. Whatever you make, have a good time!

Answer 5

Lasagna is always an easy entree to serve because you can make it the night before, then just take it out the day of the party and heat it up. Pop some garlic bread in the oven too, and make a nice salad.

Answer 6

I have to agree with Supermomm- pasta is great because it's easy, inexpensive and always in season. (Unless you've got South Beachers coming over.)

I make a lasagna-like dish, inspired by Rachael Ray, with campanelle pasta. Just cook it al dente, put it in a casserole dish with plenty of sauce, and add in mozzarella and ricotta cheese. (I drop the ricotta in by spoonfulls and just make sure it's evenly distributed. Add in either cubed mozzarella or shredded.)

You can top the whole thing off with mozzarella cheese; every time I make this, people are scrambling to get a piece with the cheese on top.

To make it interesting, add ground beef or sausage, veggies, spices... whatever people might like. If you make it the day before, make sure there's ample sauce because the pasta will absorb some.

Next day, either make or heat up garlic bread, plus add in a big salad (ready made is super easy- just make it yours with purple onion slices, tomatoes and more mozzarella cubes), and you're set!

Good luck!

Answer 7

Make Over 200 Juicy, Mouth-Watering Paleo Recipes You've NEVER Seen or Tasted Before?

Answer 8

have a wine tasting party .. have all your guess bring a bottle of wine ( not more then $20.00) and put them all in paper bags. have everyone taste them and write down what they think of the wine and how much they think it is and rate which is the best etc. Well then reveal what everyone thinks and reveal the cheapest and the most pricey bottle.. you will be surprised that alot of people might like the cheap bottle over the high dollar one. But stick to one kind of wine for the evening. Red , pino, chard... but you will have a blast. Have fish and pork and a nice tossed salad with Mandarin oranges. and a nice dressing to complement the wine... and just gives everyone something to talk about . Taste , smell, sweet dry... make your tasetbuds work for the night.. have fun

Answer 9

One of my favorite menus for company is pretty simple and can be made ahead of time:

1. Pork Roast with White Wine Dijon sauce
2. Mashed potatoes with sour cream and cheese
3. Fresh green beans with almonds
4. Hot Rosemary- Potato Bread with butter
5. Lemon bars

Rub the pork roast with a combination of 1 T kosher salt, 1 tsp fresh ground pepper and 1 T rubbed sage. Bake at 350 degrees, uncovered for approximately 1 1/2 hours. Add white wine and water if the pan becomes dry and baste every 30 minutes.
When the roast is done, set aside to cool and deglaze pan with more wine. Be sure to get the stuff that's stuck to the bottom of it up and put in sauce pan. Add wine and chicken broth to make 2 cups. Bring to a boil. Add 1 T dijon mustard and 1 T butter. Simmer until slightly thickened

For mashed potatoes you'll need approximately 6 large Yukon gold potatoes, peeled if desired, and cut into cubes. Cover with chicken broth and add 1 tsp kosher salt to liquid. Boil until fork tender and drain. Add 1/2 cube butter and 1/2 cup sour cream, 1 3oz package borsin cheese. Add 1/2 tsp garlic powder and salt and pepper to taste.

For green beans, clean and trim approximately 1 1/2 pounds of fresh green beans. Pour in enough chicken broth to a depth of 1 inch. Cover and steam until crisp tender. Drain. Toss with butter, salt, pepper, and slivered almonds.

For lemon bars, use your favorite recipes or purchase the Krusteaz brand (they're wonderful)

Serve this dinner with a nice white wine, such as Pinot Grigio or a Sauvignon Blanc. Coffee and tea with dessert.

Answer 10

This site has some great suggestions for EASY dinner party dishes, most of which can at least be partially prepared in advance:

http://www.gourmet-food-revolution.com/dinner-party-recipes.html