The Ultimate Summer Dinner Party Menu

A fresh, flavor-packed summer dinner party menu perfect for warm nights, easy entertaining, and any celebration in between.

There’s nothing like a summer dinner party to remind you that joy really does live in the simple things. Good food, warm air, music floating in the background, and people you love lingering just a little longer at the table. Whether you’re hosting a backyard hang, celebrating Juneteenth, or pulling together a last-minute Friday night gathering, this menu was made to help you do it with ease and intention.

We’re talking crowd-pleasers with a twist—dishes that feel elevated but don’t take all day. Think: juicy lemon garlic parmesan chicken thighs, a cold, dense bean salad that only gets better as it sits, and the most impressive pistachio-crusted salmon that comes together in under 30 minutes. There’s a little bit of everything here: something crunchy, something creamy, something sweet, and something that makes your guests go wait, can I get that recipe?

This menu also lets you prep ahead so you’re not scrambling. The upside-down tomato tarte with puff pastry is a beautiful starter that looks like it took more effort than it did. My prosciutto and mozzarella egg rolls are crisp, salty, and always gone within minutes. For dessert? A lemon olive oil cake that’s light, citrusy, and perfect with berries—or just a fork.

From pasta night to cookout season, this is the kind of summer spread you’ll come back to again and again. The recipes are flexible, flavorful, and ready to feed whoever pulls up a chair. So go ahead—set the table, pour something cold, and let the evening unfold.

I’ve got your full summer dinner party menu covered below.

Tomato and Puff Pastry Tart

This Tomato and Puff Pastry Tart combines juicy Jersey tomatoes, creamy Boursin cheese, and flaky puff pastry for a delightful summer appetizer that's both simple and elegant.

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Prosciutto Wrapped Mozzarella Egg rolls

These crispy prosciutto wrapped mozzarella egg rolls are the perfect salty, cheesy appetizer. Easy to prep and impossible to resist!

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Easy Summer Fruit Salad

This easy summer fruit salad with strawberries, kiwi, pineapple, mangoes, and watermelon is drizzled with honey and lime for a refreshing, prep-ahead snack perfect for busy summer days.

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Chicken and Broccoli Rigatoni Alfredo Pasta

My Chicken and Broccoli Rigatoni Alfredo Pasta is flavorful, easy to make and a family favorite for a reason!

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Lemon garlic parmesan chicken thighs

My lemon garlic parmesan chicken thighs are made with just a few simple pantry ingredients and bursts with amazing flavor–this is the recipe to try!

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