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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    28 Easy Entertaining Meals That Are a Breeze to Make

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on May 16, 2024, updated November 5, 2024 - Leave a Comment

    When it comes to hosting friends or family, having easy and delicious meals on hand can make all the difference. These 28 entertaining meals are simple to prepare, allowing you to spend more time enjoying your guests and less time in the kitchen. From quick pastas to satisfying slow cooker meals, these recipes will help you create a memorable gathering without the stress.

    Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs

    Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: Thirty Something Supermom.

    This recipe for chicken thighs is simple and perfect for feeding the whole family. It's a go-to option that makes mealtime easy and enjoyable.

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    Cajun Alfredo Pasta

    Cajun alfredo pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This version of Alfredo sauce has a nice kick to it. You can enjoy it on its own or mix in your favorite protein for a heartier meal.

    Get the recipe

    Crock Pot Chicken Tacos

    Crock-Pot Chicken Tacos.
    Photo Credit: Valerie's Kitchen.

    This recipe makes soft and tasty shredded chicken that’s perfect for quick tacos on a hectic day. It’s really flexible and can be used in many different Mexican dishes.

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    Lemon Ricotta Pasta

    Lemon ricotta pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta dish is incredibly easy to make and perfect for entertaining. It's a quick option that will impress your guests without any hassle.

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    Rotisserie Chicken Tacos

    Rotisserie chicken tacos.
    Photo credit: Two Healthy Kitchens.

    Rotisserie Chicken Tacos are a simple and tasty way to change up your Taco Night. With corn tortillas filled with shredded chicken, creamy avocado spread, pickled red onions, and your favorite salsa and cheese, these tacos are sure to please.

    Get the recipe

    Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

    Garlic butter shrimp pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta is a quick and tasty dish that brings together juicy shrimp, perfectly cooked pasta, and a rich garlic butter sauce. It's an easy meal that everyone in the family will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    20 Minute Mini Baked Chicken Tacos

    20 Minute Mini Baked Chicken Tacos
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Mini baked chicken tacos are quick to make, taking only about 20 minutes with just a few easy ingredients. These tasty bites are great for gatherings and simple enough for a weeknight meal, featuring corn tortillas filled with seasoned chicken and cheese, baked until crispy.

    Get the recipe

    Air Fryer Roast Beef

    Sliced roast beef.
    Photo credit: alwaysusebutter.com.

    This Air Fryer Roast Beef is a simple and quick dinner option that the whole family will enjoy. With a flavorful herby crust and a juicy, tender center, it comes together easily with just a few ingredients.

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    Vietnamese Beef Noodle Salad

    Vietnamese Beef Noodle Salad.
    Photo credit: Delightful Plate.

    This Vietnamese beef noodle salad is full of fresh herbs, tasty beef, and a zesty lime fish sauce dressing. It’s quick to prepare in just 30 minutes and works great as either a main dish or a side.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Whole Chicken

    Slow Cooker Whole Chicken.
    Photo Credit: 4 Sons R Us.

    Slow cooker whole chicken brings the comforting flavors of a Sunday roast to any night of the week. It's simple to prepare, allowing you to enjoy a warm dinner with minimal effort.

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    Creamy Pesto Pasta

    Creamy pesto pasta topped with cherry tomatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This creamy pesto pasta is quick to make with just three ingredients and takes only 10 minutes to prepare. The combination of flavorful pesto and Greek yogurt creates a comforting dish that's perfect for any weeknight meal.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas

    Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas.
    Photo Credit: The Almond Eater.

    Fajitas make for a simple and satisfying family dinner. Juicy chicken breasts are cooked with colorful peppers, onions, and tomatoes, creating a delicious filling to wrap in tortillas with your favorite toppings.

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    White Bean Panzanella

    White Bean Panzanella
    Photo credit: J Cooking Odyssey.

    This Italian-inspired dish features fresh, ripe tomatoes mixed with white beans and crunchy toasted bread. It's all brought together with a flavorful dressing made from tomatoes and white beans.

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    Air Fryer Chicken Legs

    Chicken legs marinated in Mexican chicken marinade.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This recipe gives you deliciously crispy skin and juicy meat with minimal effort. The air fryer makes it easy to achieve a golden brown finish while keeping the inside perfectly tender.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

    Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad.
    Photo credit: Get on my Plate.

    This pasta salad is perfect for a simple family dinner or a dish that everyone will enjoy at gatherings. It combines tender chicken, crispy bacon, pasta, and fresh veggies all mixed together in a creamy ranch dressing for a satisfying meal.

    Get the recipe

    Pesto Salmon

    Pesto salmon on a serving platter.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Pesto Salmon comes together in just 15 minutes, making it a great choice for hectic weeknights. Topped with a mix of Greek yogurt and pesto, this baked salmon is simple to prepare and packed with flavor.

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    Spanish Chicken Stew

    Spanish chicken stew with rice.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This chicken stew is simple to whip up using rotisserie chicken, making it a great option for easy entertaining. It's full of fresh lemon and rosemary flavors that brighten up the dish.

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    Firecracker Salmon

    Firecracker salmon on a teal plate.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Firecracker Salmon is a simple dish that you can whip up in just 15 minutes, featuring a zesty and spicy sauce that pairs perfectly with the salmon. This easy recipe is sure to impress your guests and make dinner a standout occasion.

    Get the recipe

    Crockpot Tuscan Chicken

    Crockpot Tuscan Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Gypsy Plate.

    This chicken is covered in a rich, creamy sauce packed with Mediterranean flavors. It's a simple and tasty dish that you can prepare ahead of time for a weeknight meal.

    Get the Recipe

    Homemade Hamburgers

    air fryer hamburger.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Making homemade hamburgers in your air fryer is simple and quick, taking just a few minutes to prepare and cook. These burgers come out juicy and are perfect for piling on your favorite toppings.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

    Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: Easy and Delish.

    These chicken thighs can be prepped in just 10 minutes and then cooked slowly until they're nice and tender. They're covered in a thick honey garlic sauce, making this a great option for a simple dinner on a busy weeknight.

    Get the Recipe

    Baked Cod in Foil

    A foil pack with cod and potatoes.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    These easy baked cod packets are packed with flavor and only take 5 minutes to prepare. With cod, tomatoes, potatoes, and lemon all cooked together, you get a complete meal without the fuss.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Alpine Chicken

    Slow Cooker Alpine Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This dish features tender chicken combined with Swiss cheese, stuffing mix, and crunchy almonds for a satisfying meal. Using stove-top stuffing makes it easy to whip up in the slow cooker.

    Get the Recipe

    Crème Fraîche Carbonara

    Fake carbonara.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This carbonara is a simple twist on the classic dish, packed with even more flavor. It's an easy meal that will impress your guests without a lot of fuss.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken ala King

    Slow Cooker Chicken ala King.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This dish combines tender chicken with fresh vegetables and a mix of seasonings for a comforting meal that's easy to prepare. It's a simple yet satisfying option for any gathering.

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    Cherry Tomato Pasta

    15-minute cherry tomato pasta with spinach and walnuts in a black skillet and in a white bowl topped with burrata, all on a white table decorated with cherry tomatoes on a branch and basil leaves
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This 15-minute pasta is a great example of how simple meals can be really satisfying. It's quick to prepare and tastes fantastic on its own, but adding some mozzarella or burrata cheese takes it to the next level.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken

    Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Balsamic chicken transforms simple chicken breasts into a flavorful dish with just a handful of ingredients. With the help of Italian seasoning, minced garlic, and balsamic vinegar, this meal is sure to impress everyone at the table.

    Get the Recipe

    Smoked Salmon & Spinach Pasta

    Salmon spinach pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This pasta dish is quick to make and packed with the fresh flavors of smoked salmon and lemon. It's a simple meal that you'll want to enjoy again and again.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

    • No Boil Chicken Pasta Bake.
      22 No-Fuss Pasta Dinners That Almost Cook Themselves
    • Gnocchi soup.
      24 Simple Crockpot Dinners That Get the Job Done
    • Hot honey garlic chicken.
      22 Dump-And-Cook Chicken Dinners That Will Change Your Weeknight Routine
    • Cheeseburger tater tot casserole.
      23 Hearty Ground Beef Dishes to Make When You’d Rather Not Cook

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has more than 20 years of experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN  and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, Daily Kos, The Grio, The Asian Parent, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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