We always tell our friends that we should get together for a dinner party, but it never happens. Street is here to show you how to throw together an easy dinner party that is quick, cheap, and allows you to spend more time drinking wine than preparing elaborate meals to feed the masses.

Cheese to Seem Classy 

Hit up trusty Trader Joe's for cheap cheese that is actually delish. Crowd favorites are the Jalapeno and Honey Chevre, Pesto Gouda, and Canadian Cheddar. If you want to stay closer to home, pick up some mini mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes, and basil at FroGro as well as some tooth picks. Place a cherry tomato and a piece of mozzarella on the toothpick, drizzle with balsamic vinegar and top with a basil leaf. Everyone loves a nice tomato–mozz situation. 

Throw Shit in a Pan and Call it a Day

Everyone loves chicken parm. This is sure to be a crowd pleaser and all you have to do is throw everything into a bowl and then into the oven. Then maybe hang out and pretend like you have slaved over it for hours. 

  1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
  2. Spray a 13” x 9” in dish with cooking spray and add 1 box uncooked penne, 1 jar of marinara and 3 cups of water. Place 1 ½ lbs of chicken breast tenders or thinly sliced chicken breast on top. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30 mins. 
  3. Uncover and stir. 
  4. Spread mozzarella cheese over the top and sprinkle with 1 cup of breadcrumbs and ½ cup parmesan cheese. Bake uncovered for 5-10 mins until the cheese is melted and golden brown on top. 

Pro tip: make sure that the chicken is cooked through so you don’t give your friends salmonella! 

Because Everyone Wants Something Sweet 

These baked peaches literally consist of slicing them in half, sprinkling goodness on top and throwing them in the oven. So easy that even a heavy wine drinker can do it post–meal.

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. 
  2. Slice peaches in half and remove the pit. Place skin side down in a pan and place a piece of butter in the middle of each peach. 
  3. Combine 2 tablespoons of light brown sugar and ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon and sprinkle the mixture on top of the peaches. 
  4. Bake for 8 to 12 mins until golden brown and serve with whipped cream or ice cream is desired. 

Upgrade Your Leftover Franzia 

All this sangria recipe takes is some random fruit and some Franzia, so you can finally sip on a classier beverage instead of boat–race–ready hooch.

  1. Fill a pitcher halfway with white wine of your choice (Franzia, Carlo, whatever) 
  2. Slice a green apple and a nectarine into thin pieces and add to the mixture. 
  3. Slice two limes into wedges and squeeze them into the mixture. Add limes. 
  4. Add vodka (a splash or two, or three, or maybe four…).
  5. Mix and enjoy.

Armed with these recipes, it's easy to have a cheap and easy dinner party that requires very little actual cooking time and makes more time for accepting compliments from all of your impressed guests. 

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