20 Easy Party Food Ideas That Taste Like You Spent Hours Cooking

Ravioli isn’t just for pasta night! It also makes a great party snack when breaded and air-fried to golden perfection. Just don’t forget to serve them up with a side of tangy marinara.

Get Ree’s Air Fryer Ravioli recipe.

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Store-bought puff pastry makes these colorful tarts an easy option for summer gatherings. Thin slices of zucchini, yellow squash, and sweet cherry tomatoes are topped with a creamy ricotta and pesto spread for a savory and satisfying appetizer.

Get the Easy Summer Vegetable Tarts recipe.

If you don’t have enough time to make stuffed mushrooms and Caprese salad, whip up this easy recipe that combines them both. Stuffed with sweet cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fresh basil, each mushroom cap is a work of art in itself!

Get the Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms recipe.

Out of all the ways to make use of summer tomatoes, grilling them is at the top of the list! Simply sprinkle tomato halves with garlic, spices, and olive oil, then char them on a hot grill, and you’ll be rewarded with a juicy, perfectly smoky bite.

Get Ree’s Grilled Tomatoes recipe.

If you thought spinach artichoke dip couldn’t get any better, try making it in a slow cooker for a change! It gets its creamy, cheesy texture from four types of cheese: cream cheese, pepper jack, parmesan, and feta. Simply prep the ingredients, set them in the slow cooker, and forget about it until it’s time to serve!

Get Ree’s Slow Cooker Spinach Artichoke Dip recipe.

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Poke cakes are the ultimate easy party dessert, and this strawberry one is no exception. A few clever shortcuts—like boxed cake mix and Jell-O—make this beautiful berry cake a breeze. Finish with fluffy homemade frosting for a sure-fire crowd favorite!

Get Ree’s Strawberry Poke Cake recipe.

You can’t throw a party without serving up a savory snack for guests to munch on! This easy finger food features a crumbly, cheesy base topped with sweet and spicy pepper jelly. Plus, they’re perfect for making ahead!

Get the Pimento Cheese Thumbprint Crackers recipe.

Pizza is always a crowd-pleaser—even when it’s made from watermelon! Thick, juicy watermelon slices serve as your “crust,” which is topped with Greek yogurt, fresh fruit, a chocolate drizzle, and mint leaves. It’s easier than baking a cake but a bit more elevated than simply slicing up fruit for dessert.

Get Ree’s Watermelon Pizza recipe.

When in doubt about the dessert course, simply slice up a sheet cake! This lemon-blueberry sheet cake checks every box: zesty, fruity, and super easy to make.

Get Ree’s Lemon-Blueberry Sheet Cake recipe.

Saucy little smokies were made for setting in the slower cooker, then forgetting until it’s time to serve. They’re coated in a tangy-sweet sauce made of ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, spices, and adobo peppers.

Get Ree’s Little Smokies recipe.

Sheet pans aren’t just for sweets! They also make the perfect vessel for nachos. Ree’s version features all the fixings: seasoned ground beef, pinto beans, cheese, and even quick pickled shallots.

Get Ree’s Sheet Pan Nachos recipe.

Elevate your charcuterie spread with a molten wheel of brie. Just stick the cheese in the oven, sprinkle it with fresh herbs and honey, and serve alongside bread, fruit, and crackers.

Get the Easy Baked Brie recipe.

You can’t go wrong with a crudité platter! All you need is five minutes to prep this creamy dip made of sour cream, mayo, pickle juice, dried dill, and herbs.

Get the Dill Dip recipe.

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Even without their adorable pinwheel shape, this scrumptious mixture of buttery crescent rolls, salty ham, and melty cheese would surely shine on its own. Get creative by switching up the meats and cheeses and sprinkle them with poppy seeds for added flavor and crunch.

Get the Ham and Cheese Pinwheels recipe.

These savory bites are a party snack staple for a reason! Here, they get a modern twist with everything bagel seasoning and three homemade dipping sauces: spicy mayo, maple dijon, and ranch.

Get the Pigs in a Blanket recipe.

Any recipe with “bacon” and “ranch” in the name is practically a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. In this recipe, a ball of cream cheese, sour cream, and cheddar cheese chills in the fridge to yield the perfect companion to crackers.

Get Ree’s Bacon-Ranch Cheese Ball recipe.

Throwing a fiesta? Center your spread around this zesty taco dip! The creamy, taco seasoning-infused dip is layered with all your favorite taco toppings for a flavorful, scoopable snack.

Get the Taco Dip recipe.

Out of all recipes that utilize frozen puff pastry, this one might be the prettiest! The radish filling is layered on parchment, topped with a sheet of puff pastry, crimped, brushed with egg wash, and baked to perfection. The result? Juicy, flavorful fillings and a crisp crust!

Get the Upside-Down Puff Pastry Radish Tarts recipe.

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