The best graduation parties have three things: good company, grand memories, and great food. While decorations set the mood at the beginning, the menu keeps everyone happy and full until the end. Fortunately, you don’t need to hire a catering service to impress your guests, as a few easy, no-fuss recipes can make your gathering a hit. Here are three crowd-pleasing dishes to make your graduation party extra special!
Graduation Party Bites Everyone Loves (No Catering Needed at All)
These graduation party recipes hit the sweet spot: crowd-friendly and photo-ready without chef skills required. Here’s what to make for your grad’s big day.
1. Build-Your-Own Taco Bar 🌮
Taco bars keep things simple but make guests think they have plenty of options. Let them build their crunchy, cheesy, or spicy creations using an array of proteins and toppings. Just prep the ingredients, set them out, and let the party take care of itself. No plating, no hassle, just happy guests and delicious food.
What You’ll Need:
- Proteins: 2 lbs ground beef, shredded chicken, or black beans
- Seasoning: 1 packet taco seasoning or a mix of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and salt
- Tortillas: Soft flour tortillas or crunchy taco shells
- Toppings: Shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, chopped onions, shredded cheese, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, and sliced jalapeños
- Sides: Tortilla chips, queso dip, and refried beans
How to Set It Up:
- Cook the protein. Brown the ground beef in a large pan over medium heat, drain excess fat, and mix in the taco seasoning with a splash of water. Then, let it simmer for 5 minutes until thickened. If using shredded chicken, toss it with seasoning and broth to keep it moist.
- Prep the toppings. Dice the vegetables, shred the cheese, and place everything in separate bowls for easy serving.
- Warm the tortillas. Wrap the flour tortillas in foil and keep them in a 200°F oven until serving time.
- Assemble the bar. Arrange everything in a line so guests can create their tacos the way they like them.
Pro Tip:
Provide both mild and spicy toppings so everyone finds something they enjoy. Additionally, make a drizzle of chipotle mayo or spoonfuls of hot honey to make the tacos extra special.
2. Baked Ham and Cheese Sliders 🥪
You can never go wrong with ham and cheese, and baking them into sliders takes it up a notch. The rolls get buttery and golden while the cheese melts perfectly inside. They’re easy to grab and even easier to love. Make extra, because one batch won’t be enough.
What You’ll Need (Makes 12 Sliders):
- 12 Hawaiian sweet rolls
- ½ lb sliced ham
- 6 slices Swiss cheese or sharp cheddar
- ¼ cup butter, melted
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- poppy seeds
- garlic powder
How to Make Them:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Meanwhile, line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- Slice the rolls in half. Keep the rolls attached as one large sheet to make assembly easier. Then, place the bottom half in the baking dish.
- Layer the ham and cheese. Spread the ham evenly over the rolls, lay the cheese on top, and place the top half back on.
- Make the buttery topping. In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, poppy seeds, and garlic powder.
- Brush and bake. Generously brush the butter mixture over the tops of the sliders, cover the dish with foil, and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 5 minutes until the tops turn golden brown.
- Serve warm. Slice the sliders apart and serve immediately.
Pro Tip:
Swap the ham for turkey and the Swiss cheese for provolone to mix things up. For extra flavor, spread a thin layer of honey mustard or mayonnaise on the rolls before adding the meat.
- No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars 🍫
If you love Reese’s but wish they had more peanut butter, these no-bake bars are for you. A thick peanut butter layer gives a smooth, nutty flavor, and the glossy chocolate top makes every bite taste indulgent. These peanut butter bars are perfect for parties, potlucks, or late-night snacking. Just be warned: one bite will always lead to another!
What You’ll Need:
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
How to Make Them:
- Mix the base. In a large bowl, stir together peanut butter, melted butter, powdered sugar, and graham cracker crumbs until smooth.
- Press into a pan. Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, then press the mixture evenly into the bottom.
- Melt the chocolate. In a microwave-safe bowl, heat the chocolate chips in 20-second intervals and stir in between until smooth. Pour over the peanut butter layer and spread evenly.
- Chill until set. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until the chocolate hardens.
- Cut and serve. Use a sharp knife to cut into squares and serve chilled.
Pro Tip:
For added crunch, mix in crushed pretzels or chopped peanuts before pressing the peanut butter layer into the pan.
Graduation Party Recipes: The Perfect Send-Off Feast
People might forget who gave the longest graduation speech, but they’ll never forget the great food served at your party. These flavor-packed treats will have guests talking long after the diplomas are handed out. So serve up these tasty bites and make this celebration one to remember!
FAQs About Graduation Party Dishes
- Can I make the sliders ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble them up to a day before, cover, and refrigerate. Bake just before serving. - How do I keep the taco fillings warm?
Use slow cookers or warming trays to keep the meat at the right temperature. - What’s a peanut-free alternative to the chocolate peanut butter bars?
Swap peanut butter for almond butter or cookie butter for a similar texture and taste. - Can I use different cheeses for the sliders?
Absolutely! Swiss, cheddar, provolone, or pepper jack all work well. - How do I store leftover peanut butter bars?
Keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
Leave a Reply