Let's Have a Party! 16 Easy, Make-Ahead Recipes for Summer Entertaining

 16 easy recipes for summer entertaining that will be a hit with friends and family. These dishes can be prepped or made ahead of time.

Entertaining and getting together with friends looks quite different right now, doesn't it? While we won't be hosting any large dinner parties right now, we still like to gather a few close friends or family members on our back porch for dinner.

These are some of our favorite easy recipes for summer entertaining. They are fresh and full of delicious seasonal ingredients. You can make them ahead, allowing you time to enjoy your family and friends.

 

A bright fresh, healthy spread that's fabulous with crackers, chips, veggies, as a sandwich spread, on pita and so much more! This Green Goddess Hummus is about to become your next obsession!

 

With plump cherries, warm spices and a touch of white balsamic these Balsamic Cherry Preserves are amazing on cheese and charcuterie boards, make a great breakfast spread and are wonderful for glazing roasted poultry and pork.

 

This Easy Goat Cheese Appetizer with lemon, thyme and honey takes 10 minutes to put together. You can add edible flowers for a “wow” factor!

 

If you’re looking for the freshest, most delicious summer salad imaginable, this Stone Fruit Tomato Caprese Salad is IT! The fabulous Sweet Basil Dressing is the crowning glory!

 

This Asian Watermelon Herb Salad is the essence of summer on a platter! It’s super fresh, sweet, salty, tangy and crunchy, all at the same time. The fresh herbs and Asian-inspired dressing create a delicious burst of fabulous flavor.

 

This Mediterranean Couscous Salad combines pearl pasta, crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, tender corn and ribbons of fresh spinach to create a healthy, delicious salad. A sunny lemon dressing and lots of fresh herbs take it over the top!

 

You'll flip with the first bite of this amazingly tender and incredibly delicious Vietnamese Grilled Flat Iron Steak. The marinade is loaded with fabulous flavor and the simple secret tenderizing ingredient will shock you!

 

Moist and tender, this Charred Honey Lemon Chicken with Crispy Chickpeas is incredibly delicious. The easy rub and basting sauce SING with fabulous flavor!

 

With a delicious Mexican-inspired dry rub, melting garlic lime butter and a few easy grilling tricks this recipe for Perfectly Grilled Steak is sure to become a favorite!

 

This One-Bowl No-Mixer Homemade Naan is soft, puffy and impossibly delicious! It rivals the naan at your favorite Indian restaurant and you can make it yourself at home with minimal effort!

 

Loaded with healthy seeds and a generous scoop of whole wheat flour, this ridiculously easy, one-bowl, no-knead Seeded Focaccia Bread is also ridiculously delicious!

 

This Ridiculously Easy Basque Cheesecake is CRAZY delicious with a silky smooth, creamy interior and a fabulous deeply caramelized crust.

 

These Brownie S'Mores boast a delicious graham cracker shortbread crust, a layer of rich chocolate brownie and a toasted marshmallow topping!

 

Imagine, sweet, juicy peaches baked until meltingly tender under a generous portion of sweet, crisp, buttery crumbs… Served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a simple splash of sweet cream, this Ridiculously Easy Peach Crumble is a summer dream come true!

 

This Ridiculously Easy, one-bowl, no-mixer Sweet Cherry Almond Cake has a tender, moist crumb, lots of sweet cherries and a crisp, candy-like almond glaze.

 

The chewiest, butteriest bars studded with bits of jammy blueberry, white chips and crunchy toffee, these Brown Butter Blueberry Blondies are a delicious twist that will have sweet lovers smitten!