Summertime is prime time for getting together with family, friends, and neighbors. Throw in the long Labor Day weekend and we’re all ready to enjoy one last hoorah for the season. You’ll be prepared for each meal, too, with these big-batch summer recipes perfect for a crowd at the cabin, beach house, or backyard bash.
Easy Gazpacho
Serve this impressive, easy blender gazpacho from Two Spoons and get ready for rave reviews. Gorgeous, creamy, and alive with the freshness of summer, this soup will last in the fridge for five days. Be sure to let it chill for several hours before serving so all the pungent flavors come together.
Lemon-Blueberry Sheet Pan Pancakes
Retire your pancake flipper and enjoy breakfast at last! With this SkinnyTaste recipe, you can easily substitute other types of berries or chocolate chips (for the kids, of course) and you can even make the pancakes ahead and refrigerate for up to four days.
Baked Penne Pasta
Thriving Home makes feeding your friends and family a delight with this hearty, freezer-friendly entrée. Cook up one large batch or divide the recipe into two smaller dishes for two different sittings. With lots of opportunities for substitutions and additions (want to use up that spinach in your fridge and open box of rotini in your pantry?), you can customize for your crowd.
Monster Breakfast Sandwich with Bacon, Greens, and Jammy Tomatoes
Even the hungriest little monsters in your kitchen will get their fill with these delicious sandwiches from Goodtaste. Not only is everything cooked in the oven, but you can also easily double the recipe AND make the bread the night before to save even more time.
Slow-Cooker Pork Tacos
You had us at slow cooker! Our Goodtaste recipe is super easy, super tasty, and super substitutable (yes, it’s a word)! And a good one here because you can also toss the leftover pork in BBQ sauce for sandwiches or use it as a filling for enchiladas later.
Baked Coconut Oatmeal
The only thing that separates you from the warm, hearty goodness of this Goodtaste recipe is 35 minutes in the oven. Okay, 40 minutes if you include prep time. And did we mention it’s vegan? A win-win all around.
Summer Tortellini Pasta Salad
This Modern Proper pasta salad is almost too pretty to eat. Almost! Because the ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, pesto, and fresh basil are too hard to resist. Build the anticipation and make it the day before—we dare you!
Caprese Sandwich for a Crowd
The Kitchn takes everything you love about a caprese salad and turns it into a giant sandwich—genius! Cut the bread into wedges and it can easily serve 8 to 10. And if you really want your guests to love you, wrap the sandwich in foil and bake it until the cheese is melted.
Layered Picnic Salad with Yogurt Ranch Dressing
Think of this Goodtaste recipe as a healthier, modern version of the old-school bacon and iceberg lettuce salads from your childhood. Pro tip: Easily substitute whatever seasonal veggies you have on hand, or add a layer of shredded chicken to make this a heartier lunch.
Summer Grazing Board
It’s true, a Martha Stewart recipe that doesn’t involve cooking! But that doesn’t make this grazing board any less impressive with all the cheeses, cured meats, fruits, vegetables, and dips that party-planning dreams are made of.
Peach Mojitos
What’s an end-of-summer party without a drink as cool as the company? One batch of this MyRecipes cocktail makes about 8½ cups, and luckily, the recipe is easy enough to make plenty more. Use fresh peaches, lemon, and mint for the most flavorful blend of sweetness and zest.
Baked Ziti with Summer Vegetables
We know what you’re thinking: Baked ziti at a summer party? But go with us here. The in-season squash and tomatoes lighten up this Southern Living recipe so it’s just hearty enough. Pro tip: Broil the veggies before adding to the dish to keep them from releasing too much water as the pasta bakes.
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