A Tapas-Style Dinner Party for Just $30

Plan a Spanish-inspired meal for six (yes, six!) without bellyaching over the grocery bill.
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By: Food Network Kitchen
Related To:
Dinner Parties Recipes for Parties European Recipes Spanish Budget-Friendly

Photo By: Stephen Johnson ©2015, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Photo By: Stephen Johnson ©2015, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Photo By: Stephen Johnson ©2015, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Photo By: Stephen Johnson ©2015, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Photo By: Stephen Johnson ©2015, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Photo By: Stephen Johnson ©2015, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

A Budget-Friendly Feast

When you invite friends over for dinner, the last thing you want to worry about is the price of the meal. Our Spanish-inspired menu includes a drink, a variety of hearty tapas-style bites and a dessert. The grand total for all the ingredients comes in under 30 bucks — which gives even the cheapest takeout a serious run for its, err, money.

Photography by Stephen Johnson

Grilled Peach Iced Tea

Just a single grilled peach adds a distinctive charred sweetness to this summery drink. And if guests are asking what they can bring to the party, suggest bourbon. A little bit mixed into a glass of tea makes for a pleasant cocktail.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Peach Iced Tea

Green Gazpacho Soup Shooters

Cucumbers are the star in this simple chilled soup, which is just as refreshing as its tomato-based cousin. Plus, this recipe makes enough for each guest to have a few shooters apiece.

Get the Recipe: Green Gazpacho Soup Shooters

Grilled Tomato and Soppressata Bread

Just a little bit of meat goes a long way in this twist on the classic Spanish pan con tomate (which simply means "bread with tomato").

Get the Recipe: Grilled Tomato and Soppressata Bread

Easy Spanish Tortilla Espanola

This dish is a king among Spanish tapas, but it can be pricey — the potatoes are usually cooked in a vat of olive oil. But we cut down on costs (and prep time) with a genius substitute: potato chips.

Get the Recipe: Easy Spanish Tortilla Espanola

Baked Mini Churro Bites

Baked is definitely better (and easier) than fried for these delicate cinnamon-and-sugar pastries — and again, you avoid spending a bunch of money on frying oil. We love the sweet, summery caramel-mango dipping sauce as an alternative to the traditional chocolate sauce.

Get the Recipe: Baked Mini Churro Bites

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