High school graduation party menus run the gamut from gourmet to well, ground beef (looking at you, Sloppy Joes), but share one common theme: quantity. It’s hard to prepare food for dozens, potentially hundreds of guests over the course of a few hours, and keep everything to a Michelin-star quality. To help, we've put together a few fun food ideas for graduation party hosts who have more on their plates than just serving food.
A memorable, entertaining celebration doesn’t have to break the bank. This budget-friendly graduation party menu includes easy main dishes and delicious sides.
Chicken Sliders: Shredded chicken is a cost-effective option and easy to prepare in a slow cooker with inexpensive, mingle-friendly slider buns and BBQ sauce.
Pasta Salad: You can make a lot of pasta on a budget. Choose your favorite pasta (we love penne) and toss with bell peppers, tomatoes, and black olives, with a simple vinaigrette dressing.
Read more: Pizza On the Grill
The right side dishes make the meal - and for some, they’re the main show!
Baked Beans: Always pairs well with chicken sliders (or pulled pork if you go that route), and you can make them your own by adding extra spices or chopped onions.
Potato Salad: Easy to make in large (i.e., massive) quantities and always a crowd favorite. Adjust your ingredient proportions to suit your taste and budget; we go big on the potatoes.
Chips and Dip: Choose an assortment of family-sized bags of chips and a couple of dips to serve as an appetizer or a side dish.
Is it even a party without some sugar?
Sheet cake: Life needs more cake, and nothing says celebration or life milestone like a massive sheet cake! Decorate with your grad’s school colors and save a slice as a reward for cleaning up later!
Cookies: An easy-to-make, easy-to-bake treat that doesn’t require a plate, fork, or even a place to sit; it’s the portable party food!
It’s easy for your party budget to get out of hand. Stick to your financial plan with these tips:
DIY (if you can): Try to make or bake graduation dishes if you can, and if it makes sense. Preparing your own food is usually cheaper, but not always.
Bulk up: Make use of your Costco or Sam’s Club card (or a friend’s!) to buy pasta, cheese, beef, chicken, and other items in bulk to save money.
Ask for help: Ask close friends and family members to bring a dish if they can, or dedicate a little time in the kitchen to help out.
We know some of life’s biggest moments take place around the table. That’s why we’re proud to offer Northern Michigan’s best selection of home appliances; these are the tools that make great meals and unforgettable memories possible. Start your next appliance search at Traverse City’s locally-owned appliance store today.
Share on Twitter Share on Facebook
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2017
Comments
There are currently no comments
New Comment