30 Affordable Dinner Party Recipes To Help You Plan a Fabulous Meal

Hosting friends for dinner can get expensive. That’s why we love these simple, affordable recipes that help you curate an impressive dinner party without breaking the bank. From easy appetizers to creative cocktails, there’s no shortage of budget-friendly party food ideas out there, and each of these options prove that hosting doesn’t have to be expensive. Ready to start planning your next get together? When it comes to serving an impressive dinner, you can count on roast chicken to deliver crowd-pleasing results. This timeless dish screams elegance, and we love that it’s versatile enough to take on different flavors or seasonings. This recipe highlights the simplicity of roast chicken by pairing it with roast vegetables and a few flavorings like thyme, lemon, garlic and freshly-ground black pepper.

Sangria is one of the easiest cocktails to whip up when you’re serving a group. It’s best served when batched in advance and served in a pitcher, so you don’t have to spend time mixing individual glasses. This recipe calls for only a few simple ingredients like apples, berries and apple liquor, so it’s affordable and easy to whip up.

When it comes to affordable appetizers, it doesn’t get much easier than a plate of marinated olives. This recipe uses garlic, fennel seeds, orange zest and thyme leaves as the flavorful accents for Kalamata and Cerignola olives. Serving them warm makes the whole dish feel a little more elevated and elegant.

Mashed potatoes are perfect for a party—they’re irresistible, affordable and a total crowd pleaser. This fun spin on the classic recipe uses goat cheese to add tangy flavor and creamy texture. Serve with an extra sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.

Nobody can resist pot roast—this hearty dish is tender and flavorful, and it pairs with a ton of different side dishes. If you’re looking to feed a big group without spending too much money, pot roast is an affordable dish that’s totally impressive. It takes a few hours in the oven, so this is a great dish to make in advance so you can enjoy your party while it’s keeping warm in the oven.

Potato gratin is one of our favorite ways to dress up a regular russet potato and make it totally dinner-party-ready. If you’re not in the mood to make a whole casserole, this fun spin on the traditional recipe is a great way to feed each guest their own appropriately-sized portion. A muffin tin is the key to making each tiny portion.

Any good dinner party needs a fun appetizer, and this one is so easy and inventive, all your guests will be asking for the recipe. Roasting the grapes helps caramelize the sweet juices within, so each bite oozes with fruity goodness. A bit of lemon zest and fresh thyme helps round it out with vibrant, earthy flavor.

Bacon, cream, Parmesan — is there anything better to toss into a skillet with some tender pasta? There's no need to go out to dinner when you can make this restaurant-style creamy, cheesy chicken and fettuccine at home. It’s easy, affordable and perfect for serving when you have guests for dinner.

These chicken skewers pack a ton of flavor in every bite thanks to dry rub that’s made of spices you probably already have in your cabinet. A quick marinade in plain yogurt adds extra tangy flavor and tender texture, and we love that the skewers are versatile enough to act as an appetizer or full meal.

This quick side dish is even quicker when you steam the frozen peas and the couscous together. Dressed with simple olive oil and lemon juice, the peas add pops of sweetness to the totally versatile dish. Mint adds freshness and a bit of herbal flavor.

These cheese balls make an adorable appetizer. Better yet, they’re super affordable and easy to whip up. Simply mix cream cheese with Worcestershire sauce, lemon zest and a hard cheese of your choice, then season with salt and pepper. Form the balls with your hands then let them harden in the refrigerator for four hours. Serve with a skewer and cocktail napkin, or roll in a fun and colorful topping like crushed almonds, paprika, chopped chives or crumbled bacon.

Dinner parties can get expensive, so if you’re looking for a creative idea that’s not as expensive as a big steak or roast, try these drumsticks. The easy entree takes an affordable cut of meat — the humble drumstick — and elevates it with bold, spicy flavor. They’re perfect for a gameday watch party or a casual holiday dinner alike. Serve with a crunchy salad or roasted potatoes.

If you’re not sure what to serve for dinner, opting for breakfast instead can be a fun spin. This ham and pea frittata feeds a crowd without breaking the bank, and it all comes together in less than an hour. Serve with a simple side salad for an easy, protein-packed dinner.

Stuffed mushrooms are a great recipe to feed a crowd because they’re easy and affordable, but they look and taste impressive. In addition to the mushroom filling, this recipe also uses spinach and tomato to pack in nutrients and hearty vegetables. Grated Pecorino Romano adds tangy, cheesy flavor.

Popcorn is one of cheapest snacks you can serve, and it doesn’t take much effort to jazz it up a bit. This recipe uses store-bought kettle corn that gets seasoned with Buffalo sauce and blue cheese to create a sweet, salty and spicy snack that’s perfect for a dinner party or potluck. Blue cheese powder is the secret to topping it off with cool, tangy flavor.

Greek salad is great for a dinner party because it’s easy and affordable to whip up, and your guests will love a serving of bright, fresh vegetables to pair with dinner. In this recipe, cucumbers, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, red onions and feta get tossed with a homemade vinaigrette. The simple salad delivers bright, fresh flavor in a simple, approachable salad that complements just about any entrée.

Whether you’re hosting a game day tailgate or a sit down dinner, chicken enchiladas are a versatile crowd pleaser that’s sure to be a safe bet any time of year. They’re cheesy, saucy, hearty and packed with flavor. You can serve them on their own, or pair with a light side salad for a complete meal. Either way, they’re easy and affordable to make, and your guests won’t be able to resist a second helping.

This Chinese-American classic is so easy to make at home, you’ll forget all about your favorite takeout spot. The best part? It’s totally adaptable. You can easily swap in your favorite vegetables, and it’s a particularly great recipe for frozen vegetables (like peas, cauliflower or carrots).

This salad is one of the easiest ways to feed a crowd. It requires just five simple ingredients, and takes a total of ten minutes to come together. It’s perfect for serving with a special entrée like roast chicken, but it pairs just as well with some grilled burgers and hot dogs. Garnish with freshly ground pepper and a few shavings of Parmesan cheese.

Pasta is a crowd-pleaser no matter how you serve it, and it’s also one of the most affordable ingredients to buy in bulk. This recipe is perfect for a dinner party because it’s hearty, flavorful and can be made in advance and frozen for later use.

We love that this easy corn dip relies on mostly frozen or canned ingredients to help cut down on cost. Canned green chiles, jarred jalapenos, jarred salsa and frozen corn combine with cream cheese, Monterey jack cheese and mayonnaise to create a dip that’s totally refreshing and creamy. Top with cilantro leaves and serve with corn chips.

Alfredo is one of the heartiest, most indulgent pasta sauces out there, and we love that this recipe incorporates it into a casserole. Packed with filling yet affordable ingredients like sliced mushrooms, spinach, ricotta cheese and heavy cream, each bite is perfectly coated in cheesy, flavorful sauce. Serve with a simple salad and a sprinkling of toasted breadcrumbs.

Just three ingredients are all you need for this irresistible snack. Bacon, parmesan cheese and club crackers all bake together to make a dinner party favorite that your guests won’t be able to put down. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Easy to prep and totally affordable, this cucumber salad recipe requires only six ingredients. You probably have a few of them in your pantry already — like sugar, salt and white wine vinegar — so it makes for an easy trip to the store. The simple, snappy side dish is great with all types of entrees, and it’s super easy to prepare the day before, too.

For an easy dessert that’s super affordable and feeds a crowd, turn to a snack you probably already have in your pantry—popcorn! Peanut butter and milk chocolate combine to turn this salty snack into a sweet treat. Each ball is dotted with mini marshmallows for extra chewy texture, and a dusting of confectioner’s sugar makes them extra sweet.

The humble potato can be dressed up in so many ways, but one of our favorites is with lemon. This easy recipe calls for Yukon potatoes, a bit of garlic, some olive oil and a dash of salt and pepper. Lemon and chicken broth help steam the potatoes while they roast, infusing every bite with bright, savory flavor.

If you’re trying to save yourself time when hosting a dinner party, start by serving some easy dips. It’s an easy way to let your guests mingle and snack while you put any last-minute touches on dinner. This simple salsa calls for mostly canned or jarred ingredients, which means it’s super easy and totally affordable. Prepare it the night before to let the flavors develop overnight.

Every dinner party needs a simple salad, and this one couldn’t be any easier. Ready in just 10 minutes, it’s totally light and refreshing. Whether you’re serving pork, chicken or fish, this easy salad it the perfect side dish.

Quick pickled vegetables make a fantastic snack, so they’re a great thing to serve when you’re hosting a dinner party. They’re super affordable and last in the refrigerator, so you can make a batch to serve to guests and enjoy them for weeks on end. We love using onions, carrots and beans, but you could also opt for asparagus, radishes or cucumbers.