Easy Meals for House Guests

Whether it is for the holidays or just a long weekend, there will be a time when you have a house full of guests. A big part of preparing for those guests is meal planning.

What am I going to feed all those people!?

Well, let me help you know what to feed your house guests with a few practical tips, menus and recipes.

Let’s Get Started!

Tips for Feeding House Guest

Do not get overwhelmed, taking it step by step and making a plan will make this so much easier. Here are a few tips when planning meals for your guests:

1. Plan ahead for each meal- this way you will not wake up in the morning and realize that you only planned for dinners and you have nothing but Cheerios, no milk, and coffee for breakfast.
2. Make a detailed grocery list for each meal and snack… nobody wants to make last minute trips to the grocery store!
3. Plan for 50/50, at least for some of the meals, 50% store bought items and 50% homemade (hopefully some can be made ahead).
4. Plan at least one meal out, especially if your guests are staying for a  long time.
5. Make what you can ahead of time.
6. When your guests ask what they can bring, don’t you dare say nothing! Even if it is a snack, dessert, wine, or a specialty cocktail, accept the help.

How to Start Planning for House Guests

First, plan for how many meals your guests will be staying with you. Then, if there are any special events when you will be eating out, remove those from your list.

Next, Go thru and plan what you will have for each meal. Try to plan a few easy things that can be made ahead, some things that can be store-bought that do not require any prep, and the rest homemade. Make sure to include any snacks that you will want to have in the house during their stay. Also, if this is an adult occasion, think about drinks too.

Then, make grocery lists that are extremely detailed. Go thru each recipe and write down all the items you need to purchase that you do not already have. Make sure to add those snacks and drinks!

Now, Head to the grocery store completely prepared and armed with your list!

Meal Ideas for House Guests, with Recipes

Here are a few recipes and meal ideas to make planning for and having house guests a breeze!

SAVE THIS LIST FOR LATER, PIN IT HERE

Breakfast starts the day. Please do not forget that your guests will be hungry in the morning! And that they will want coffee…always coffee.

Breakfast #1 Make Ahead

• Sausage Egg Cups (make ahead)
• Vanilla Yogurt with Granola
• Healthy Bran Muffins (make ahead)
• Fresh Fruit
• Coffee

Breakfast #2 Fast

• Company Oatmeal (15 minutes)
• Bacon
• Banana Bread Muffins (make ahead)
• Store Bought Pastries
• Coffee

Breakfast #3 Big Breakfast

• Scrambled Eggs
• Overnight Caramel French Toast Casserole (make ahead)
• Sausage Links
• Fresh Fruit
• Coffee

Breakfast #4 In the Kitchen

• Homemade Fluffy Pancakes
• Sausage Patties
• Fresh Fruit
• Coffee

Lunch is a tough one, I usually don’t recommend planning for lunches unless it is the main event. A lot of times I find that lunch gets lost in the scramble of the day OR everyone sleeps in and has a late breakfast. Lunch is usually best planned out.

However, if you feel like you should have lunch for your guests, here are some really easy options:

Lunch #1 Sandwiches

• Hot Artichoke Chicken Salad Sandwiches (just use rotisserie chicken for ease)
• Sweet Potato Chips
• Grapes

Lunch #2 Instant Pot

• Instant Pot Beef & Barley Soup OR Instant Pot Chicken & Rice Soup (make ahead or quick lunch)
• Warm Baguette
• Kale Salad (store bought)

Lunch #3 Healthy

• Chicken Salad in Tomato Wedges (make ahead)
• Kettle Chips or Terra Vegetable Chips
• Green Salad (store bought)

Lunch #4 Make Ahead

• Chili (make ahead)
• Indulgent Cinnamon Buns (make ahead)
• Veggie Tray with Ranch or Blue Cheese Dip (make ahead)

Dinner tends to be the main event, where you will spend the most time, energy, and money. I definitely like to have a homemade dinner, however if you are entertaining guests for a long time do not be afraid to bring in take-out, suggest one dinner out, or do a 50% take out/50% homemade dinner.

Dinner #1 Take-Out BBQ

• Pulled Pork from your favorite BBQ Restaurant
• Buns, Pickles, BBQ Sauce
• Corn Casserole (make ahead)
• Raspberry Jello Fluff (make ahead)
• Cheesy Potato Casserole

Dinner #2 Instant Pot

• Instant Pot Turkey Meatballs
• Spaghetti
• Lemon Garlic Green Beans
• Caesar Salad (store bought)
• Garlic Bread (store bought)

Dinner #3 Simple Dutch Oven Dinner

• Dutch Oven Chicken Pot Roast
• Cranberry Kale Salad (store bought)
• Warm Ciabatta Bread & Butter

Dinner #4 Holiday

• Ham with Glaze
• Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes OR Cheesy Potato Casserole
• Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
• Raspberry Jello Salad (make ahead)
• Broccoli Bacon Salad (make ahead)
• Rolls & Butter

Dinner #5 BBQ Grill

• Chicken Kabobs with Mango Jalapeno BBQ Sauce
• Oven Roasted Asparagus or Oven Roasted Broccoli
• Roasted Garlic Couscous (store bought)

Dinner #6 Casual Soup & Sandwich

• 5 Minute Tomato Basil Soup with Garlic Croutons
• Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Dinner #6 Burgers & Fries

• Bacon Jam & Blue Cheese Burgers (make bacon jam ahead)
• Sweet Potato Fries
• Grilled Vegetable Skewers (peppers, onion, zucchini, mushrooms)

Dinner #7 Simple Soup for a Crowd

• Chicken Noodle Soup & Ham and Potato Chowder (make both ahead)
• Crackers & Cheese Slices
• Tea Buns with Ham & Turkey, Mustard, and Mayonnaise

Dinner #8 Italian

• Spinach Artichoke Lasagna or Dutch Oven Lasagna
• Store Bought Caesar Salad
• Lemon Garlic Green Beans
• Garlic Bread

Dinner #9 Mexican

• My Favorite Chicken Enchiladas
• Chips & Restaurant Style Salsa (make ahead)
• 15 Minute Refried Beans
• Mexican Rice
• Optional – Fresh Pineapple with Citrus Herb Glaze (make ahead)

Dinner #10 Cajun Instant Pot

• Instant Pot Cajun Rice with Chicken & Sausage
• Green Lettuce Salad with Vinaigrette
• Best Ever Cornbread

Dinner #11 Dinner Party

• Crispy Chicken with Goat Cheese
• Oven Roasted Asparagus
• Rice Pilaf (store bought)
• Warm Ciabatta Bread with a dish of extra virgin olive oil seasoned with basil, garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes

Dinner #12 Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

• Fried Chicken from a restaurant or local grocery store
• 2-Minute Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce (make ahead)
• Cole Slaw (store bought)
• Cheesy Potato Casserole
• Jiffy Corn Casserole (make ahead)
• Best Ever Corn Bread and honey (make ahead, and make extra to serve for breakfast with maple syrup)

Drinks can be just as important as food, especially if you are entertaining adults.

• Cold Brew Coffee (make ahead)
• Big Batch Grapefruit Margaritas
• Red Wine Winter Sangria (make ahead)
• Cranberry Wine Spritzer
• Jalapeno Tequila Mule – aka Mexican Mule
• Cranberry Ginger Margarita
• Raspberry Vodka Soda
• Rosemary Paloma

Dessert is the only thing they will remember, some say. All of these options can be made ahead:

• Scotcheroos
• Thin Mint Cookies
• Apple Pie Bars
• Cherry Pie Bars
• Peanut Butter Chocolate Star Cookies
• Cookies & Cream Key Lime Ice Cream
• Triple Berry Cobbler
• Homemade Chocolate Sheet Cake with Chocolate Frosting
• Salted Caramel Blondies
• Easy Hot Cocoa Cookies
• Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies

I hope these tips and menus help you host and feed your house guests with ease!

Love- Susie