16 Realistic Cookbooks for Entertaining
These are the best cookbooks for entertaining and hosting an easy, down home dinner party for your family and friends. Real food, fantastic hosting tips, and manageable tips for making your next party the best ever.
Hosting a dinner party for your family or friends doesn't need to be crazy complicated.
Whether you're celebrating a holiday, special event, or just want to honor one of the countless everyday reasons you might want to enjoy the company of your loved ones at your dinner table, you can plan a simple dinner party meal everyone will love.
From gorgeous buffet tables where guests can help themselves to intimate dinner party menus for just a couple of your favorite people, these cookbooks for entertaining are some of my very favorite resources for inspiration.
The Best Cookbooks for Entertaining
The stunning photography inside these gorgeous cookbooks for parties will definitely inspire you to set the table with your best accessories.
But it is the delicious and real party menus that are the most important part!
Santa brought this party cookbook to me one Christmas and I love poring over the gorgeous photo-filled pages.
My favorite part of this cookbook is the clever party themes and reasons to host mentioned throughout the book.
The adorable cover of this cookbook caught my eye during a recent trip to the bookstore. The practical party menus mentioned through the book are perfect for hosting a party or for spoiling your own family just because.
One of the easeist ways to entertain is a cocktail party. Simply serve a couple bottles of wine alongside a gorgeous charcuterie snack board.
Need some inspiration for how to mix up your snack board? This cookbook has fantastic suggestions for every season of the year.
I received a copy of this CLASSIC party cookbook as a wedding shower gift when we first got married and it is still one of my most favorite cookbooks of all time.
Ina Garten is the Goddess of Hosting. I dare you to tell me different.
"A party without cake is just a meeting."
You could serve an entire party menu of easy store bought things to your guests and they'd go home happy but if you took the time to do one thing from scratch?? Bake the cake.
Sometimes when you're celebrating with friends, you're actually bringing food TO the party rather than setting it out at home. These portable party favorites are perfect for a potluck.
Snack boards are for more than just cocktail hour. I love this cookbook because some of the party themes include breakfast boards, dessert boards, and so much more.
What is it about entertaining in the South?? I think they just do it better down here. Down home hospitality tips for everyone, no matter where you live.
Shh. I know this is a kids' cookbook but honestly?? My family makes the desserts from this book for every holiday all year long.
Want to make your kids feel extra special?? Put them in charge of dessert while you manage the rest of the party menu.
Who said a party has to involve more than just you and your sweetie?? I love the idea of having a date night in with my honey but the meals in this book would be easy enough to double for an intimate dinner party with friends, too.
Skip the fussy appetizers, your friends actually want DELICIOUS food that is easy to prep! This farmhouse cookbook is filled with cozy dishes that will make your guests feel right at home.
I believe that the true purpose of entertaining is to slow life down a moment and enjoy the ones we love most.
This book focuses on the Scandinavian holidays and traditions that bring people together. Need some inspiration for a mid-winter feast? You'll find just what you need here.
The title of this book says it all--make your guests feel comfortable with food that makes them feel loved without being fussy. With a focus on real things that are easy to pull together, you don't need to be a professional chef to entertain with these dishes.
Entertaining in the summer and fall often tends to happen outdoors. This book is filled with plenty of practical tips for outdoor parties: how to cook, how to serve, and how to make sure everything stays fresh.
I'm at my happiest when I'm at the beach. I love the idea of eating easy-going beach food all year long. If you want to really put your guests at ease, this would be a wonderful approach to your next party.
As a good host, it is important to consider your guests dietary needs. Not sure where to begin with gluten-free or paleo options? This party book is perfect for picking a few items out that everyone could enjoy together.