Post sponsored by Lunchbox, all opinions are 100% my own.
Dinner parties don’t have to be stuffy or complicated.You can create a simple and enjoyable dinner party for family or friends with a little help from Bertolli. I grabbed a recipe off Bertolli’s site-the Luscious Rosa Lasagna for a tasty Tuscan flair and it was easy to make which kept things simple before the party. Pretty much everyone loves Italian so that part of the meal was a no brainer for me, lasagna is delicious, easy to throw together, and of course using Bertolli goes without saying. Keep these 7 tips in mind for a great dinner party with Bertolli and great friends!
- Make it look like you went all out but keep it simple and easy by choosing a main dish that serves up pretty but doesn’t keep you slaving in the kitchen all day like Bertolli’s Luscious Rosa Lasagna, it was a big hit with my guests.
2. Keep centerpieces low– Add a short vase of flowers or a basket of seasonal filler to add some color and texture to your table but don’t block your guests.
3. Mix it up-Use dishes you already have and add pretty new cloth napkins to dress it up a bit. Save money and borrow from a friend if you want them to feel new.
4. Think Small– Keep your guest list small,no more than 4-6 to create a more intimate feeling for you gathering. This will give everyone time to talk but keep conversation flowing.
5. Choose a simple theme– While we went to Tuscany with our meal I also included a nod to fall by using wheat in a few places in my tablescape to create a theme.
6. Clean as you go– This will keep you from stressing 10 minutes before your dinner party begins and ending up out of breath, covered in
7. Relax- Be sure to enjoy your guests, relax, take offers of help graciously. Your guests are here to see you, make sure you are in a party mindset to give them your best.
If you want to whip up this Luscious Rosa Lasagna for yourself or come up with your own recipe you can grab Bertolli at a reduced price until 11/5 at Stop & Shop, Giant an Martin’s in the pasta sauce aisle as well as a display in the meat department.
Ty @ Mama of 3 Munchkins says
We haven’t had any in quite sometime but the next time we do I’ll be sure to use some of your tips!
Amy D says
YES please!! This is my kind of meal that my family would devour! Love me some cheesy pasta!
Sarah says
I love the tip about thinking small. Sometimes, I tend to over do it and make myself more work than I need.
dawn says
HA! This reminds me of the time when I went on a first date with my ex. he tried to go big and the center piece was so hugee it was totally uncomfortable until i asked him can i move it. lol. To funny. Small center pieces are a def must. hehe
Scarlet says
I have had the too tall centerpiece before. LOL. We had to move it away so we could carry on a conversation without leaning around it!
Lisa says
Simple and cleaning as I go are tips I need to remember. I always feel like I need to be “fancy” and that’s far from the truth! Simple and delicious is all you need when it comes to great company.
Danielle says
I am constantly cleaning as I go. I do this even when I’m cooking a simple family dinner. I can’t stand all the clutter and it makes the final clean easier at the end of the night.
Janis @MommyBlogExpert says
Great advice. I especially like Tip #1 – Making it look like you slaved in a hot kitchen when you really prepared your food with little effort. Great way to impress guests for sure.
Janis @MommyBlogExpert says
All your tips are excellent. But I have to like number one the best: making it look like you went all out when you really threw something together quickly is the ticket to impressing your guests.
Wendy @ ABCs and Garden Peas says
These tips are spot-on! I think cleaning up as I go is definitely a saving grace. The tip about keeping the center pieces low is great – I think sometimes we want to go big, but then they’re just in the way and make it impossible to communicate with our guests!
Jenna Wood says
I love entertaining with Bertolli! I always forget to keep the centerpieces low- sometimes my guests can’t see each other, whoops! Thanks for the great tips!
Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says
We don’t throw that many, but the next time we have a dinner party I will be using some of your tips!