Easy Summer Recipes That Can Feed a Crowd

By Emily Goldman
Updated May 13, 2020
Andrew Purcell
More really is merrier when it comes to summertime parties. These group-friendly recipes can easily be multiplied to make sure there's enough food to go around.
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Andrew Purcell

Summertime calls for beach parties and garden soirées brimming with family and friends. While there are many aspects of a party to consider, arguably the most important is the food. But serving up enough for a crowd can involve more numbers—and headaches—than you bargained for. That's why we're sharing some of our favorite big-batch and easy to double (or even triple) recipes so you can focus more on the joys of cooking, than math.

Our crowd-feeding creations run the gamut—whether you're looking for appetizers or cocktails, sides or desserts, we're sharing summertime favorites. Go big with a colorful and easy to make main like the Chicken, Tomato, and Bread Cube Kebabs with Lemon-Oregano Marinade that are pictured here. Making them is a two-step process, and final dish comes together in under an hour. You could also make our Sriracha-Glazed Chicken and enjoy the perfect combination of spicy and sweet. Best of all, you'll only use need one dish (unless you double the recipe), meaning that cleanup is a breeze.

Nothing will please your family and friends quite an array of tasty desserts, so be sure to give them options. A delectable treat that only takes 20 minutes of prep and is ready in an hour is our Coconut-Lime Bars. Lime zest, sweetened shredded coconut, and macadamia nuts bring the flavor in this recipe. For a chocolate option, make our Big-Batch Triple-Chocolate Brownie Bars. Cocoa, bittersweet and white chocolate add a dash of sweetness, while the treat gets a touch of salt from assorted nuts. The whole recipe takes just over an hour to make, creates 54 bars, and is well worth the effort you put in. If your goal with dessert it to help everyone cool off, go for a refreshing frozen option like our Fudgy Ice Cream Cake. It's so tasty everyone will be asking for seconds.

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Ma Belle Mere's Ratatouille

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This classic garden-to-table stew recipe is courtesy of accessories designer Clare Vivier's French mother-in-law. A great make-ahead recipe, it can be prepared up to three days in advance, is delicious hot or at room temp, and serves 12. It's just one of the showstopping entrées on Clare's French rustic dinner party menu.

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No-Bake Summer Lasagna

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Too hot to turn on the oven? Making this vegetable-packed dish for dinner means you don't have to. When making this meal for a larger group, try using a trick from catering pros: Double the recipe and layer lasagna stacks along sheet pans. Then simply cut and serve!

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Southern Pulled-Pork Sandwiches

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There's so much robust flavor in each bite of these irresistible sliders. Plan ahead and make the meat a day in advance for even more richness.

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Creamy Avocado Dip

Andrew Purcell
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Bring out your blender! This better-than-guacamole spread needs just six ingredients—no chopping required. Serve with chips, toasted pita triangles, or a mountain of chopped vegetables.

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Fudgy Ice Cream Cake

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It's no surprise that this recipe became a test-kitchen favorite: It's layered with crunchy graham crackers, rich chocolate, and ice cream.

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German Potato Salad

Bryan Gardner
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How do you take a classic crowd-pleaser from good to great? Simple: Add bacon and a sprinkle of fresh dill. Double this recipe and serve on small plates for a smoky starter that will disappear fast!

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Garlic-Herb Pinwheels

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Guests will be app-happy with these crunchy and fragrant hors d'oeuvres that look elegant but are surprisingly simple to roll out. Larger than they look, one to two pinwheels should be enough to stave off hunger until dinnertime.

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Spicy Sweet-Glazed Shrimp

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These fiery shrimp are impossible to pass up! Double the marinade and shrimp to feed a larger group. A test-kitchen tip: Make this recipe before your guests arrive by using the broiler. Arrange shrimp on a baking sheet and cook for two to three minutes per side.

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Grilled Ratatouille Muffaletta

Andrew Purcell
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Hearty enough to fool meat-lovers, this scooped-out sandwich will satisfy everyone at the table and ensure that vegetarians aren't an afterthought.Use a square boule loaf to serve more people—they're easier to evenly portion than round loaves.

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Ricotta-Chive Frittata

Marcus Nilsson
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Forget about flipping individual omelets for all the guests at a brunch party. These baked eggs can be prepared in advance and then served warm or at room temperature—use a pizza cutter to create small, even slices. The ricotta adds a tangy finishing touch to this light meal.

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Creamy Deviled Eggs

Victoria Pearson
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Perfect for a picnic or afternoon tea, these small bites are simple to prepare and loved by everyone. Expect that each guest will enjoy a whole egg, so double the recipe if needed.

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No-Churn Vanilla Ice Cream

Petrina Tinslay
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No ice-cream maker? No problem! This vanilla recipe is even simpler to create than traditional homemade versions and requires only an electric mixer (and a little bit of patience).

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Tomato Gazpacho with Prosciutto-Mozzarella Sandwiches

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Chill out with this cool soup and sandwich combo. Prep the soup in advance and set up a sandwich-making station so guests can control their cheese-to-meat ratio.

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Perfect Grilled Steak

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The title doesn't lie!This juicy, thick-cut steak feeds two to three people. To increase the recipe, simply add more meat to the grill.

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Parmesan Straws

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Looking for a crunchy, flaky, savory small bite that you can make in minutes? There's an appetizer for that—and it's this one.

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Champagne Punch

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This bubbly, fruity drink is the ideal sip for a balmy summer evening. Serve with spoons so guests can scoop up the soaked fruit after finishing.

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Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad

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This no-fail recipe is always one of the first to disappear at summer cookouts. Why? Because everything is better with bacon.

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Pork Quesadillas

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Filled with cheesy, smoky flavors, these pork quesadillas allow you to eat with one hand and hold a cool drink in another. Lay out salsa, sour cream, and guacamole for a DIY Mexican feast.

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Coconut-Lime Bars

Romulo Yanes
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These sweet and tangy bars are reminiscent of both key lime pie and a piña colada. The perfect make-ahead treat, this recipe yields two dozen bars but can easily be cut smaller to serve larger parties.

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Smoky Black-Bean Salsa

Chelsea Cavanaugh
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This mouthwatering recipe only takes 15 minutes to make, and all that's between you and this filling dip is one step of prep work.

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Big-Batch Lemon-Mint Julep

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Whether you're throwing a Kentucky Derby party or are simply a fan of the tasty cocktail, this recipe makes 16 drinks to ensure everyone has a glass in their hand.

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Big-Batch Triple-Chocolate Brownie Bars

Marcus Nilsson
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Sweet, salty, and so delicious, these triple-chocolate bars feature milk, dark, and white chocolate, dried fruit, and nuts. Best of all, this crowd feeding dessert makes 54 bars.

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Pull-Apart Cheesy Pesto Bread

Lennart Weibull
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Featuring only four ingredients and 45 minutes until it's on the table, this garlic bread will be a new favorite.

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Sriracha-Glazed Chicken

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Spicy, sticky, and ever-so-slightly sweet, these outrageously flavorful wings are made in just two steps.

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