50 Graduation Party Recipes That Make Hosting a Breeze

Go ahead and invite everyone you know—no need to hire a catering service! We’ve rounded up all the simple summer party recipes you need, including warm-weather appetizers, cookout favorites that will feed a crowd, celebratory cakes and more. Ready to plan a special menu in honor of your graduate? There’s no better place to start than with appetizers. We love these Caesar salad cups. They’ve got all the flavor of the classic starter, but have undergone a party-ready makeover. They’re easy to pick up and eat alfresco, served in crispy crouton cups!

Grilled chicken wings are the quintessential finger food for a summer cookout with family and friends. Just toss the chicken in a flavorful rub, then grill to golden brown perfection. A final toss with Cajun lemon-pepper seasoning adds a kick of spice and acidity.

Strawberries are at the peak of their season right around the time of most graduations. That makes them the perfect ingredient to dress up a celebratory cake. The fresh, natural flavors you get from making your own strawberry puree is worth the time. This cake and its frosting also gets its rosy hue from fresh strawberries rather than food coloring.

This classic pasta salad, packed with a bounty of summer vegetables and fresh herbs, is the perfect thing to make for a summer party. Look for the tastiest produce at the peak of its season, like crisp radishes and cucumbers, juicy tomatoes and sweet raw corn. We recommend allowing the pasta salad to marinate for at least 30 minutes before serving.