10 Easy Recipes for a Laid-Back Summer Dinner Party
Summer is all about socializing more while doing less: less prep, less cleanup, less fuss. The way to channel vacation vibes all season long, from a weeknight dinner to a Saturday night BBQ, is by relying on crowd-pleasing dishes that come together easily.
Another way to spend more time at the party: Serve your recipes in the same dishes you cooked them in. Le Creuset makes this part a snap, with stunning enameled cast iron and stoneware in a kaleidoscope of colors. (We’re currently vibing with the sweet pale pink of Pêche.) But these beauties aren’t all about looks: Le Creuset cookware is known for its superior heat retention, which translates to a beautifully cooked final product, whether you’re baking, grilling, or roasting. These are 10 low-key recipes sure to deliver the same wow factor at your next summer feast.
On a warm summer night, this recipe hits the sweet spot between light and filling. The sweet-spicy-savory mojo marinade makes the whole dish sing, plus it doubles as the slaw dressing for easier prep.
Laid-back and show-stopping are not mutually exclusive: This stunner is actually a cinch to prep. Plus, the accompanying mushrooms, broccoli, and turnips roast right in the pan, meaning fewer dishes to wash later.
This fresh, summery salad gets its main-course energy from hearty wild mushrooms and nutty farro (one of our favorite grains). And the herbaceous vinaigrette makes great use of the tarragon and thyme growing in your garden right now.
When the menu calls for easy and impressive, grilled whole fish won’t let you down. This rainbow trout is seasoned with herbs and lemon and topped with bright gremolata and chopped pistachios. It grills alongside bitter radicchio for a one-pan feast.
A fun twist on pizza night, this flatbread is a celebration of summer flavor. Here it’s topped with tomatoes, bell peppers, and mushrooms, but let your latest farmers’ market haul guide you. Just don’t skip the tangy goat cheese and garlicky arugula pesto.
Or perhaps you’d prefer your pesto in bread form? This savory brioche-style side dish packs big herbaceous flavor. It’s great alongside a spread of grilled veggies and proteins or as part of a build-your-own bruschetta bar.
Quick breads deliver the cozy satisfaction of fresh bread in way less time, making them perfect for a last-minute feast. This one is a great way to use a bumper crop of zucchini and is an elevated accompaniment to a simple salad.
Sweet, tart, and extremely snackable: This cake has it all. Just look at that dreamy pastel glaze! It’s just the thing to serve after a summertime supper, and the leftovers will be waiting for your afternoon coffee the next day.
What better way to toast an alfresco gathering than with a bev that looks like a summer sunset? Quickly charring the peaches adds a smoky balance to the sweetness, and the blueberry syrup has a pleasing pucker. Drizzle the extra on ice cream, pancakes, and more!
This refreshing sipper is all about balance: peach liqueur infused with smoky Lapsang Souchong tea, light-bodied blanco tequila, tart notes of strawberry and lime, and a warm touch of vanilla. And serving batch cocktails in a Dutch oven? Game-changing. The enameled cast iron’s exceptional heat retention also keeps cold items cold. You can use it as an ice bucket for wine and champagne, too!