Fall Dinner Party Ideas

Something about the flavors of fall just smell like home: The comforting aroma of a creamy, cheesy soup, the delicate sweetness of a fresh apple bread, or the enticing spice of a warm bowl of chili. They’re perfect for sharing with family and friends!

So when you’re putting together a fall dinner party menu, start here. From apps to center-plate to sides and beyond, Betty Crocker is on your side so you can be inspired and empowered to create an unforgettable fall dinner party. Find ideas designed to make the most of your schedule, with simple time-saving tips that make it easy to create a memorable evening any night of the week.

Building Your Fall Dinner Party Menu

Dinner parties are an opportunity to show off in the kitchen. Not just your skill in pulling off a good meal, but your expertise in pulling together a suite of dishes—starters, mains, sides—that complement and play off of each other in satisfying ways. These fall dinner party ideas were hand-picked to not only be perfect for the season, but ideal to mix and match. Any and all of these great tastes are sure to taste great together. Let’s take a closer look and start planning your fall party menu.

Appetizers: The Opening Act

At a fall dinner party, your menu acts as a guide, showing your guests how to experience the party. Appetizers are a great way to set the pace. You could serve apps seated at the table, like an opening course to centralize the evening around the dining table. Or you could have them sitting out in the living area, encouraging guests to mingle and mosey. That’s how simple it is to transform and customize the vibe of your dinner party. However you serve them, any of the appetizers in this collection will add warmth, comfort, and flavor to your fall party menu, and set your dinner off on the right food.

These main course recipes are perfect for fall because you can cook a big batch, all at once. Chili, soup, and lasagna—all wholesome dishes where flavors cook and meld together creating a savory symphony. Not only do the ingredients take on complex flavors as they simmer, but the big batch approach allows you to customize the size of your fall dinner party menu, so your party can be as expansive or as intimate as you please.

Don’t forget about the sides! Pairing your main with any of the sides in this collection is a great way to expand the flavors of your fall party menu while also giving all of your guests a lot more to love.

A dinner party is just dinner until you tie it up with a decadent dessert. These sweet fall dinner party dessert ideas are here to effortlessly add the perfect bow on your evening to tie everything up into a perfect experience.

Looking for another way to upgrade your fall dinner party menu? Try a signature cocktail. Get inspired with these delicious drink recipes and give your guests a sip of the season. It’s a surefire way to make your dinner party extra memorable.

Show off your fall dinner party menu with a few pics on social media! Don’t forget to tag @BettyCrocker or #BettyCrocker so everyone can find your amazing party spread and get inspired to throw a fall dinner party of their own.