38 Tantalizing Recipes to Share With Your Dinner Club
The casual, easy alternative to formal dinner parties, a dinner club gives friends a stress-free way to share good food and good conversation. Start your own dinner club and share these exciting, flavor-packed recipes from around the world.
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Love having friends for dinner but don’t have the time to cook for a crowd? Try putting together a dinner club. Gather a group (size is up to you, but a group of 6-10 lends a lively atmosphere). Pick one friend to host; she’ll decide on the menu theme and serve a main course. Everyone else should bring an appetizer, side dish or dessert that fits the theme. Try different world cuisines, cook from the same book or follow the seasons. Above all, enjoy the time around the table in each other’s company!
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Chipotle Carnitas
From the Recipe Creator:
Here's a terrific recipe for your next weeknight dinner. Set out various toppings and garnishes so your family members can customize their own tostadas with the lime-kissed shredded pork. —Jan Valdez, Chicago, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1 tostada: 269 calories, 15g fat (5g saturated fat), 76mg cholesterol, 279mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 23g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 medium-fat meat, 1/2 starch.
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Kathy's Herbed Corn
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and I agreed that the original recipe for this corn needed a little jazzing up, so I added the thyme and cayenne pepper to suit our tastes. Now fresh summer corn makes a regular appearance on our grill.
—Kathy VonKorff, North College Hill, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 ear of corn: 179 calories, 12g fat (7g saturated fat), 31mg cholesterol, 277mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 3g protein.
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Mojito Marinated Fruit
From the Recipe Creator:
All the flavors of the popular mojito cocktail are featured in this fantastic salad. After you eat the fruit, you’ll want to sip the luscious syrup! —Marcy Griffith, Excelsior, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 128 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 8mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (24g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.
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Chapati
From the Recipe Creator:
My daughter and I prepare this Indian flatbread frequently. It is so fun to make and goes well with any spiced dish. We use the extras to make sandwich wraps. —Joyce McCarthy, Sussex, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 flatbread: 113 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 237mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1/2 fat.
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Buffalo Chicken Lasagna
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe was inspired by my daughter's favorite food—Buffalo wings! It tastes as if it came from a restaurant. —Melissa Millwood, Lyman, South Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 466 calories, 28g fat (15g saturated fat), 124mg cholesterol, 1680mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 33g protein.
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That Good Salad
From the Recipe Creator:
When a friend shared this salad recipe, it had a fancy French name. Our children can never remember it, so they say, "Mom, please make 'that good salad.'" Now our friends and neighbors request it for potluck dinners. It really is one of the best salad recipes. —Betty Lamb, Orem, Utah
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 193 calories, 17g fat (4g saturated fat), 13mg cholesterol, 257mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 6g protein.
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Layered Chocolate Marshmallow Peanut Butter Brownies
From the Recipe Creator:
A friend gave me the recipe for these layered brownies, but I added my own touch--chunky peanut butter. Every time I take these to a group gathering, I get requests for the recipe. It's a real crowd-pleaser! —Judy Sims, Weatherford, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 brownie: 189 calories, 11g fat (5g saturated fat), 31mg cholesterol, 125mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
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German Beer Cheese Spread
From the Recipe Creator:
We love recipes inspired by our German heritage. This tangy spread is fantastic served alongside everything, including pretzels and pumpernickel or crackers and sausage. Choose your favorite beer—the flavor really comes through. —Angela Spengler, Tampa, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons (calculated without crackers): 95 calories, 8g fat (5g saturated fat), 24mg cholesterol, 187mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 6g protein.
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Bratwurst Dinner
From the Recipe Creator:
After trying a few bratwurst recipes, I've found this meal-in-one is ideal for camping since it grills to perfection in a heavy-duty foil bag. Loaded with chunks of bratwurst, red potatoes, mushrooms and carrots, it's easy to season with onion soup mix and a little soy sauce. —Janice Meyer, Medford, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 524 calories, 37g fat (14g saturated fat), 94mg cholesterol, 1445mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 19g protein.
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Cabbage Roll Casserole
From the Recipe Creator:
I layer cabbage with tomato sauce and ground beef lasagna-style to create a hearty casserole that tastes like cabbage rolls but without all the work. —Doreen Martin, Kitimat, British Columbia
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 384 calories, 19g fat (7g saturated fat), 83mg cholesterol, 813mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 5g fiber), 29g protein.
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Best Lasagna
From the Recipe Creator:
Want to know how to make lasagna for a casual holiday meal? You can't go wrong with this deliciously rich meat lasagna recipe. My grown sons and daughter-in-law request it for their birthdays, too. —Pam Thompson, Girard, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 519 calories, 27g fat (13g saturated fat), 109mg cholesterol, 1013mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 4g fiber), 35g protein.
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Garlic Crescent Rolls
From the Recipe Creator:
Upgrade your basic crescent roll recipe! Here's a recipe that just couldn't be much quicker or easier and is sure to add a nice touch to any dinner. The garlic and Parmesan flavors really come through. Enjoy! —Lori Abad, East Haven, Connecticut
Nutrition Facts:
1 roll: 157 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 290mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein.
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Layered Salad for a Crowd
From the Recipe Creator:
This salad is a favorite of my three sons. I took it to a luncheon honoring our school district’s food service manager, and she asked for the recipe. I like to make the dressing the day before so the flavors blend together. —Linda Ashley, Leesburg, Georgia
Nutrition Facts:
2/3 cup: 151 calories, 13g fat (4g saturated fat), 16mg cholesterol, 216mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
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Cake Mix Bars
From the Recipe Creator:
I take this dessert to work for Friday pick-me-ups. It's one of my favorite yellow cake bar recipes. I love to share them because they're so easy to eat, easy to make and easy on the wallet. —Amy Rose, Ballwin, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
1 bar: 113 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 7mg cholesterol, 102mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
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Smoked Gouda Spinach Pizza
From the Recipe Creator:
A refrigerated pizza crust and store-bought Alfredo sauce make this pizza super easy. My daughter created it as an appetizer, but we love it for a main course. —Marie Hattrup, Sonoma, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 288 calories, 14g fat (8g saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 706mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 16g protein.
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White Bean Hummus
From the Recipe Creator:
My version of hummus features a delightful nuttiness from tahini, a peanut butter-like paste made from ground sesame seeds. The beans pack a lot of protein so it's a healthy snack for kids. —Marina Castle Kelley, Canyon Country, California
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons: 78 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 114mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 fat, 1/2 starch.
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Creamy Blueberry Gelatin Salad
From the Recipe Creator:
Plump blueberries and a fluffy topping star in this pretty, refreshing salad that was my mother's recipe. It was served at every holiday and celebration, and now my grandchildren look forward to sampling it at holidays. —Sharon Hoefert, Greendale, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 221 calories, 10g fat (5g saturated fat), 27mg cholesterol, 76mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (26g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
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Fried Chicken and Pulled Pork Cornbread Poppers
From the Recipe Creator:
These fun little apps are an instant conversation starter wherever they're served. We love them on game day, but they'd be a hit at brunch too. —Crystal Schlueter, Babbitt, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
1 mini muffin: 74 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 120mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
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Spectacular Overnight Slaw
From the Recipe Creator:
To come up with this dish, I used a number of different recipes, plus some ideas of my own. It's great for a potluck because it's made the night before and the flavor keeps getting better. Whenever I serve it, I'm inundated with recipe requests. —Ruth Lovett, Bay City, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 120 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 267mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 2g fiber), 1g protein.
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Sweet and Spicy Baked Beans
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe is a hit with guests and family. It's sweet, simple and delicious, and someone always asks for the recipe. —Elliot Wesen, Arlington, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup equals 285 calories, 9 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 10 mg cholesterol, 860 mg sodium, 46 g carbohydrate, 7 g fiber, 7 g protein.
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Watermelon Tomato Salad
From the Recipe Creator:
Watermelon and tomatoes may seem an unlikely pair, but they team up to make a winning combination in this eye-catching salad. —Matthew Denton, Seattle, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 33 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 7mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 fruit.
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Southwest Egg Rolls
From the Recipe Creator:
Moderately crispy with a rich and creamy filling, these semi-spicy appetizers taste like they’ve been fried. —Danielle Booth, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
1 egg roll: 50 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 101mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 starch.
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Roasted Honey Sweet Potatoes
From the Recipe Creator:
Cinnamon and honey bring out the natural earthy sweetness of sweet potatoes in this simple, elegant side dish. —Laura Mifsud, Northville, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 165 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 305mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 3g fiber), 2g protein.
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Creamy Chicken Enchiladas
From the Recipe Creator:
My daughter has the best sour cream and cream cheese chicken enchiladas recipe I've ever tried. She brought 10 pans of it to my wedding reception and they were the biggest hit of all the food. So many guests wanted the recipe, we sent it out with our Christmas cards. —Pat Coffee, Kingston, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
2 enchiladas: 651 calories, 38g fat (18g saturated fat), 151mg cholesterol, 1392mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 37g protein.
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Loaded Veggie Dip
From the Recipe Creator:
Packed with veggies and bursting with flavor, this chunky dip is sure to be a hit at your next party. Be sure to serve it with a thick cracker that can be used as a scoop. —Patrice Slaughter, Palm Bay, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1/4 cup (calculated without crackers and chips): 133 calories, 10g fat (5g saturated fat), 26mg cholesterol, 381mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein.
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Garlic Bread Pasta Torte
From the Recipe Creator:
My kids love to stuff spiral pasta inside bread for a clever dinner torte. We save the bread crusts to make garlicky croutons for salad. —Melissa Birdsong, Waleska, Georgia
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice (calculated without additional marinara sauce): 409 calories, 16g fat (7g saturated fat), 49mg cholesterol, 752mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 3g fiber), 19g protein.
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Pistachio Salad
From the Recipe Creator:
This fluffy salad is a real treat since it's creamy but not overly sweet. It's easy to mix up, and the flavor gets better the longer it stands. It's perfect for St. Patrick's Day, served in a green bowl. —Pattie Ann Forssberg, Logan, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 236 calories, 9g fat (7g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 140mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (23g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
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Southern Seafood Gumbo
From the Recipe Creator:
I tasted a similar dish at a local restaurant and later duplicated it pretty closely. I trimmed it down a bit and no one in my family seemed to mind. —Susan Wright, Champaign, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 180 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 60mg cholesterol, 512mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 3g fiber), 14g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 vegetable, 2 lean meat, 1 starch.
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Dinner Rolls in a Round Pan
From the Recipe Creator:
A yummy honey-garlic topping turns these easy dinner rolls into something extra special. Try ’em with soups and chili. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1 roll: 131 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 169mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
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Pork Lettuce Wraps
From the Recipe Creator:
Casual, flavorful and low in carbohydrates, these Vietnamese Pork Lettuce Wraps are a perfect and low-fuss way to feed a group. Place the ingredients in separate dishes and let your guests assemble their own wrap, which allows them to personalize to suit their tastes. —Gretchen Barnes, Fairfax, Virginia
Nutrition Facts:
1 wrap: 199 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 38mg cholesterol, 312mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 2g fiber), 13g protein.
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Teriyaki Pineapple Drumsticks
From the Recipe Creator:
We have a large family and throw big parties, so I look for ways to free my husband from the grill. Roasted drumsticks keep everyone happy. —Erica Allen, Tuckerton, New Jersey
Nutrition Facts:
2 chicken drumsticks: 360 calories, 22g fat (4g saturated fat), 95mg cholesterol, 540mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 1g fiber), 29g protein.
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California Spaghetti Salad
From the Recipe Creator:
As far as cold pasta salad recipes go, this is one of the best. Not only does it travel well to get-togethers such as picnics or tailgate parties, but people absolutely love it when it gets there. —Jeanette Krembas, Laguna Niguel, California
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 257 calories, 13g fat (2g saturated fat), 1mg cholesterol, 567mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein.
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Roasted Red Potato Salad
From the Recipe Creator:
I got this roasted potato salad recipe from my sister-in-law and I've made it numerous times at the request of friends and co-workers. It's quick and easy, which is just what I need in my busy life. I learned how to cook from the two best cooks I know—my mom, Arline, and my Grandma Etta. —Ginger Cusano, Sandusky, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 355 calories, 27g fat (5g saturated fat), 120mg cholesterol, 412mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 7g protein.
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Shredded French Dip
From the Recipe Creator:
A chuck roast slow-simmered in a beefy broth is delicious when shredded and spooned onto rolls. I serve the cooking juices in individual cups for dipping. —Carla Kimball, Callaway, Nebraska
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 399 calories, 15g fat (5g saturated fat), 91mg cholesterol, 1104mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 33g protein.
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Strawberry Poppy Seed Salad
From the Recipe Creator:
My family is always happy to see this fruit and veggie salad on the table. If strawberries aren’t available, substitute mandarin oranges and dried cranberries. —Irene Keller, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 110 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 1mg cholesterol, 33mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1 fat, 1/2 starch.
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Nutty Stuffed Mushrooms
From the Recipe Creator:
Basil, Parmesan cheese and mushroom blend together well, while buttery pecans give these treats a surprising crunch. Our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren always ask for them! —Mildred Eldred, Union City, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 stuffed mushroom: 44 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 67mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
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Dirt Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
My mom used to serve this yummy dessert, and I just loved it. It's so fun to eat and a snap to make. Add some gummy worms on top for the kids if you'd like. —Kristi Linton, Bay City, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup: 278 calories, 13g fat (7g saturated fat), 16mg cholesterol, 316mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (26g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
