28 Easy Summer Recipes That Can Feed a Crowd (2024)

Cauliflower Faux-tato Salad

This clever salad has wide appeal. It's like potato salad, but better—and it doesn't have mayo, so it can sit out on the buffet table. Steamed cauliflower is tossed with celery and onion in a mustard vinaigrette. It's easy to double or triple this recipe, and it tastes even better when it's made ahead and the flavors have time to meld.

Flag Ices

These raspberry and lemon ices are a refreshing treat for a summer party. The recipe makes 18 individually portioned ices—no need to worry about scoops and bowls. All you need are three ingredients and time—and freezer space—for the ices to chill. (If you don't want to serve them as a flag, skip the blue napkins and arrange them how you please.)

Chicken, Tomato, and Bread Cube Kebabs with Lemon-Oregano Marinade

Go big with a colorful and easy-to-make main like these chicken kebabs. You can prep a big batch ahead, then leave them to marinate in the refrigerator until the party starts and the grill is hot.

Boozy Melon Three Ways

Here's a colorful crowd pleaser (for grown-ups): Pair cantaloupe with vodka, honeydew with gin, and watermelon with tequila—or just make plenty of one version! This summer refresher is quick to put together and can be made ahead.

Ma Belle Mere's Ratatouille

This classic French vegetable stew is courtesy of accessories designer Clare Vivier's French mother-in-law. It's a great make-ahead recipe and can be prepared up to three days in advance. It can be served hot or at room temp, and it serves 12.

No-Bake Summer Lasagna

Too hot to turn on the oven? Making this vegetable-packed dish for dinner means you don't have to. When prepping this meal for a larger group, use a trick from catering pros: Double the recipe and layer lasagna stacks along sheet pans. Then simply cut and serve.

Southern Pulled-Pork Sandwiches

Each bite of these irresistible sliders delivers plenty of flavor. Plan ahead and make the meat a day in advance for even more richness.

Creamy Avocado Dip

Bring out your blender! This better-than-guacamole spread needs just six ingredients—no chopping required. Serve with chips, toasted pita triangles, or a mountain of chopped vegetables.

Fudgy Ice Cream Cake

Layered with crunchy graham crackers, rich chocolate, and ice cream, this is a crowd pleasing dessert. And like all ice-cream cakes, it needs to be made-ahead; you can stash it in the freezer, knowing dessert is taken care of.

German Potato Salad

How do you take a classic crowd-pleaser from good to great? Simple: Add bacon and a sprinkle of fresh dill. Double this recipe and serve on small plates for a smoky starter that will disappear fast.

Garlic-Herb Pinwheels

Guests will be app-happy with these crunchy, fragrant hors d'oeuvres. They look elegant but are surprisingly simple to roll out from store-bought frozen puff pastry.

Spicy Sweet-Glazed Shrimp

These fiery shrimp are impossible to pass up. Our recipe feeds six; double the marinade and shrimp to feed a larger group.

Pro tip: Make this recipe before your guests arrive by using the broiler. Arrange shrimp on a baking sheet and cook for two to three minutes per side.

Grilled Ratatouille Muffaletta

Hearty enough to fool meat-lovers, this scooped-out sandwich will satisfy everyone at the table and ensure that vegetarians aren't an afterthought. Use a square boule loaf to serve more people—they're easier to evenly portion than round loaves.

Ricotta-Chive Frittata

Forget about flipping individual omelets for all the guests at a brunch party. This frittata can be prepared in advance and then served warm or at room temperature. Use a pizza cutter to create small, even slices.

Creamy Deviled Eggs

Perfect for a picnic or afternoon tea, these classic appetizers are simple to prepare and loved by everyone. Expect that each guest will enjoy a whole egg (two halves), so double the recipe if needed.

No-Churn Vanilla Ice Cream

No ice-cream maker? No problem! This vanilla recipe is even simpler to create than traditional homemade versions and requires only an electric mixer (and a little bit of patience). It's so good you'll need to double the recipe so everyone can enjoy a scoop—or two.

Tomato Gazpacho with Prosciutto-Mozzarella Sandwiches

Let your guests chill out with this cool soup and sandwich combo. Prep the soup in advance and set up a sandwich-making station so everyone can build their own sandwich just how they like it.

Perfect Grilled Steak

The title doesn't lie! This juicy, thick-cut steak is the best. Each steak feeds two to three people. To increase the yield, add more steaks to the grill—but don't crowd the grill, cook them in batches if needed.

Parmesan Straws

Looking for a crunchy, flaky, savory small bite that you can make in minutes? There's an appetizer for that—and it's this one made with frozen puff pastry. These cheese straws are a guaranteed winner at any party.

Champagne Punch

This bubbly, fruity drink is the ideal sip for a balmy summer evening. Serve with spoons so guests can scoop up the soaked fruit after finishing.

Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad

This no-fail recipe is always one of the first to disappear at summer cookouts. Why? Because everything is better with bacon.

Pork Quesadillas

Filled with cheesy, smoky flavors, these pork quesadillas allow you to eat with one hand and hold a cool drink in another. Lay out salsa, sour cream, and guacamole so guests can customize their portions.

Coconut-Lime Bars

These sweet and tangy bars are reminiscent of both key lime pie and a piña colada. The perfect make-ahead treat, this recipe yields two dozen bars. For a larger crowd you can cut them into smaller portions—or make a double batch of this winning bar cookie recipe

Smoky Black-Bean Salsa

Quick, filling, and delicious, this vegan salsa is a favorite. The mouthwatering recipe only takes 15 minutes to make and it's easy to double or triple the recipe.

Big-Batch Lemon-Mint Julep

Whether you're throwing a Kentucky Derby party or are simply a fan of the tasty co*cktail, this recipe makes 16 drinks to ensure everyone has a glass in their hand.

Big-Batch Triple-Chocolate Brownie Bars

Sweet, salty, and so delicious, these triple-chocolate bars feature milk, dark, and white chocolate, dried fruit, and nuts. Best of all, this crowd pleasing dessert makes 54 bars.

Pull-Apart Cheesy Pesto Bread

Featuring only four ingredients and requiring just 45 minutes until it's on the table, this garlic bread will be a new favorite. It's so good, you better make two!

Sriracha-Glazed Chicken

Spicy, sticky, and ever-so-slightly sweet, these outrageously flavorful wings are made in just two steps. Make two pans, not one, if your group is hungry or large.