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These luncheon menu ideas are perfect for baby showers, engagement parties, ladies' luncheons, company lunches, and more! If you're hosting a group of people for any occasion, these easy and delicious crowd-pleasing recipes are just what you need! There are appetizers, side dishes, main courses, and desserts, so you can plan the whole menu!
Best Recipes For Hosting Lunch
Whether you're leading a meeting at work or hosting a lunch for friends, when it's time for that midday meal, you want to deliver! From savory sandwiches to fresh salads (and even a few desserts), these recipes were hand-picked to satisfy any palate!
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- Best Recipes For Hosting Lunch
- 1. Antipasto Salad
- 2. Cheese Platter
- 3. Sausage Cream Cheese Biscuit Bites
- 4. German Potato Salad
- 5. Baked Scotch Eggs
- 6. Mexican Lasagna
- 7. Sun-Dried Tomato Quiche
- 8. Crockpot Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
- 9. Cincinnati Chili
- 10. Tuna Melt
- 11. Rotisserie Chicken Salad
- 12. Baked Panko Chicken
- 13. Cheesy Funeral Potatoes
- 14. Creamy Grape Salad
- 15. Mississippi Mud Pie
- 16. Banana Cinnamon Muffins
- 17. Ambrosia Salad
- 💠Tips For Hosting A Luncheon
- 📖 Recipe Card
- Luncheon Menu Ideas: Antipasto Salad (+17 Crowd Pleasing Lunch Recipes!)
- IngredientsUS CustomaryMetric
- Instructions
- Notes
- 💬 Reviews
Luncheon ideas and potluck recipes have a lot in common, so check out my other post for more great ideas! You really can't go wrong with any of these potluck side dishes or potluck desserts!
1. Antipasto Salad
Everyone loves an antipasto salad, and it's a straightforward recipe to scale up to feed a crowd. Best of all, you can make it the night before and keep it in the fridge until it's time for your midday lunch!
Antipasto Salad
This antipasto salad is loaded with slices of meat, chunks of cheese, olives, artichoke hearts, and a delicious homemade dressing! With no cooking required, it is about as easy as it gets! Feel free to customize all of the toppings, too!
Check out this recipe
2. Cheese Platter
A cheese board is great for grazing while people socialize and can feed anywhere from two to a few or a crowd! The cheeses and accouterments can be sliced or portioned out in advance, and then you can quickly assemble it the day of!
Along the same lines as a cheese board, I also have an antipasto platter or charcuterie board that would be equally perfect for any luncheon!
Cheese Platter
A cheese platter is an impressive appetizer that's incredibly easy to make for any party, gathering, or get-together! I cover tips and tricks to help you assemble an amazing assortment of cheese and accompaniments that will make the most enticing platter ever! Plus, I even walk you through how to arrange, label, and present your cheese platter too!
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3. Sausage Cream Cheese Biscuit Bites
These sausage and cream cheese biscuit bites are always a crowd favorite and can be made with just 4 ingredients (win/win)! They're fluffy, savory, and cheesy and can be served as an appetizer or side dish.
Sausage Cream Cheese Biscuit Bites
These sausage cream cheese biscuit bites are an easy 4 ingredient appetizer perfect for serving a crowd. With a fluffy buttermilk biscuit crust and a savory cheese and sausage filling, these tasty morsels are hard to put down. If you're looking for finger food for your next party, these biscuit bites are always a hit.
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4. German Potato Salad
Classic potato salad is always a good option for luncheons, but I like to shake things up with this tangy German potato salad! It has a vinegar-based dressing that will wake up your tastebuds, and there's bacon!
German Potato Salad
German potato salad is an amazingly delicious side dish that is perfect for potlucks, picnics, barbecues, or banquets! It is loaded with potatoes, onion, bacon, and a combination of vinegar and spices for a unique and authentic flavor. Whenever you serve this to your friends and family, everyone will be begging to know what the recipe is!
Check out this recipe
5. Baked Scotch Eggs
Scotch eggs make for an extra-hearty appetizer or a lighter main course with a few tasty sides. You can coat the hard-boiled eggs in the sausage mixture and refrigerate them the day before, so all that's left to do is bake!
Baked Scotch Eggs
These baked Scotch eggs are just as delicious as the standard fried version but with much less effort and mess! This easy, no-fail method makes them perfect for even a beginner. Plus, you can even prepare them ahead of time for a quick dish!
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6. Mexican Lasagna
For an easy Mexican-inspired lunch, I love pairing this Mexican lasagna with some quick restaurant-style rice and homemade salsa. The lasagna has layers of beef, cheese, beans, and tortillas, so you don't need much else!
Mexican Lasagna
This Mexican lasagna is a delicious casserole with layers of savory ground beef, beans, cheese, corn tortillas, and more! It's quick and easy to prepare the beef mixture filling before the oven cooks the lasagna to bubbly deliciousness. Perfect for serving a large and hungry crowd - plus, it's on the table in about an hour!
Check out this recipe
7. Sun-Dried Tomato Quiche
Quiche is an elegant and delicious breakfast, brunch, or lunch option that you can bake and freeze, then reheat for your luncheon! I love the flavor of the sun-dried tomatoes in this quiche, though quiche florentine and asparagus quiche are close seconds!
Sun Dried Tomato Quiche
Sun-dried tomato quiche is a savory dish that combines the rich flavors of sun-dried tomatoes with the creamy texture of eggs and cheese! It's all baked in a wonderfully flaky pie crust for easy slicing and serving. This quiche will be all the rage at your next breakfast or brunch!
Check out this recipe
8. Crockpot Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
If you won't have a lot of time the day of your luncheon, bust out your crockpot and toss in the ingredients for this chicken bacon ranch pasta! It's a hands-off recipe that you can start in the morning and have ready for lunch 4 hours later.
Crockpot Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
This Crockpot chicken bacon ranch pasta is a comforting and effortless dish. Easy enough to prepare for any weeknight dinner. It takes the classic flavors of ranch dressing, combines them with savory chicken and salty bacon, and melds them together in a creamy, cheesy sauce. The chicken mixture is then tossed with cooked pasta for a satisfying meal!
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9. Cincinnati Chili
Chili is perfect for fall or winter luncheons when the weather has cooled down. I love Cincinnati chili because it's served over spaghetti, which is always a talking point for those who have never tried it!
Cincinnati Chili
Cincinnati chili is a regional delicacy in the Midwest that you have to try because it is so uniquely flavorful! This copycat recipe is just like the version they make at Gold Star and Skyline restaurants and makes a wonderful hot dog chili! Or, you can do like the locals do and serve it over spaghetti!
Check out this recipe
10. Tuna Melt
Warm and cheesy tuna melt sandwiches are an oldie but a goodie! Tuna salad, fresh tomatoes, cheese, and bread, toasted to crispy, melted perfection. A side of homemade air fryer potato chips is always a plus.
Tuna and Tomato Melt Sandwich
This tuna melt sandwich is broiled to get that melted cheese goodness, then topped with fresh tomatoes and a crunchy toasted slice of bread! I like to pop them open-faced under the broiler, but you can always add a second piece of bread if you're hungry. This delightfully creamy, cheesy, crunchy sandwich is perfect for a quick lunch or dinner any day of the week!
Check out this recipe
11. Rotisserie Chicken Salad
Swing by the store and snag a rotisserie chicken, or make your own at home in the air fryer! Shred it up, and it makes for the easiest and most delicious chicken salad EVER (it is seriously one of my all-time favorite rotisserie chicken recipes)!
Rotisserie Chicken Salad
This rotisserie chicken salad is the easiest way to make irresistibly delicious chicken salad at home from your leftover deli chicken! This recipe is full of moist, tender chicken, crisp veggies, and the best dressing. It’s the perfect light and healthy lunch or dinner to enjoy with your family!
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12. Baked Panko Chicken
If you're looking for a hearty and delicious protein option that will please a lot of people, look no further than this baked Panko chicken! Panko breadcrumbs give it a delectable crunch that will have everyone asking for the recipe.
Baked Panko Chicken
This baked panko chicken recipe is an incredibly easy and flavorful chicken dinner quick enough to make on busy weeknights! Juicy chicken breasts are dredged in flour, egg, Panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and savory seasonings and baked to golden and crispy perfection. They're ready to serve with your favorite side dishes in just 30 minutes!
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13. Cheesy Funeral Potatoes
Cheesy funeral potatoes originated as a satisfying meal for large groups or gatherings, so naturally, they are perfect for luncheons. The crispy cornflake topping adds a delectable crunch to every bite!
Cheesy Funeral Potatoes
These cheesy funeral potatoes are the perfect side dish for large gatherings where you need to feed a crowd! With 16 servings of cheesy, creamy, potato-filled goodness, this hash brown casserole never disappoints! You can even make it ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze it so all you have to do is pop it in the oven!
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14. Creamy Grape Salad
This cool and creamy grape salad is sweet enough to be a dessert, but refreshing enough to be a side dish! It's also another great option if you're looking for things you can keep in the fridge until lunch.
Creamy Grape Salad
This creamy grape salad is a sweet summer side dish that is perfect for potlucks, BBQs, or any time you need a cool and refreshing snack! All it takes is a few simple and inexpensive ingredients! You can make it the night before and let it chill in the fridge until you need it (it tastes even better the next day)!
Check out this recipe
15. Mississippi Mud Pie
If you're looking for a dessert that will have everyone talking, this Mississippi mud pie always comes with rave reviews! It's super chocolatey with an Oreo cookie crust and layers of whipped cream and chocolate pudding. (Oh, and it can be kept in the fridge!)
Mississippi Mud Pie
This Mississippi mud pie is a decadent Southern dessert you can make in advance! It combines an Oreo crust with layers of brownies, pudding, and whipped cream! In addition to being amazingly popular, it is easy to prepare and makes enough to serve a crowd!
Check out this recipe
16. Banana Cinnamon Muffins
A big batch of these banana cinnamon muffins will have guests leaving your luncheon all smiles! The more over-ripe the bananas, the more moist and flavorful your muffins!
Banana Cinnamon Muffins
These banana cinnamon muffins have everything you love about banana bread but in a fun and delicious handheld muffin! They feature a banana muffin base with a delectable cinnamon ripple that is completely irresistible. Not to mention, you can prepare them from start to finish in less than half an hour!
Check out this recipe
17. Ambrosia Salad
Ambrosia salad is a classic Southern dessert loaded with sweet fruits, mini marshmallows, and creamy Cool Whip! It is easy to self-serve and can be made the night before and left to chill until lunchtime the next day.
Ambrosia Salad Recipe
Ambrosia salad is an easy, creamy fruit dessert that features Cool Whip, pineapple, mandarins, cherries, mini marshmallows, and more! It's a delightfully refreshing dish to bring to your next potluck, family gathering, or party with your friends. Whether you are celebrating a special occasion or need a simple dessert to make in a pinch, this fruit salad recipe is sure to be a hit with adults and kids alike!
Check out this recipe
💠Tips For Hosting A Luncheon
I chose these luncheon menu ideas for their ease of preparation and ability to feed a crowd. Those are the two most important things to consider when hosting a luncheon!
Here are a few more helpful suggestions to keep in mind:
- Plan Ahead: Start planning your luncheon well in advance. Create your guest list (knowing the number of attendees will help you plan your menu).
- Menu Selection: Once you know the number of people you are serving, plan your menu. Offer a variety of dishes, including appetizers, main courses, side dishes, and desserts. Write out your list of ingredients and do any shopping.
- Prepare in Advance: Many of these recipes can be prepared in advance, or the ingredients can be pre-chopped, diced, sliced, etc. This will save you valuable time on the day of your luncheon.
- Beverages: Offer a variety of beverages, including water (most important), tea, and perhaps a signature co*cktail or non-alcoholic mocktail if appropriate.
- Timing: Stick to the schedule to ensure that the luncheon flows smoothly. Plan your timing carefully to allow for socializing, eating, and any other planned activities!
Are you a seasoned pro at hosting luncheons? Let me know your go-to recipes in the comment section below!
Do you love a recipe you tried? Please leave a 5-star🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.
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Luncheon Menu Ideas: Antipasto Salad (+17 Crowd Pleasing Lunch Recipes!)
These luncheon menu ideas are perfect for baby showers, engagement parties, ladies' luncheons, company lunches, and more! If you're hosting a group of people for any occasion, these easy and delicious crowd-pleasing recipes are just what you need! There are appetizers, side dishes, main courses, and desserts, so you can plan the whole menu!
Author | Angela
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 530kcal
Prep 15 minutes minutes
Cooking 0 minutes minutes
Total Time 15 minutes minutes
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
Antipasto Salad
- 4 cups romaine lettuce (chopped)
- ½ cup green olives (halved)
- ½ cup black olives (halved)
- ½ cup pickled roasted peppers (chopped)
- 8 oz pepperoni (sliced, quartered)
- 8 oz Genoa Salami (sliced, quartered)
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese balls
- 13 oz artichoke hearts (quartered)
- 8 oz Colby-Jack cheese (cut into cubes or bite-size pieces)
Balsamic Olive Oil Dressing
- ¼ cup olive oil (extra virgin)
- 2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Help Us Out!If you love a recipe, be sure to come back and share your ratings. This helps future users, and allows me to continue sharing free recipes! Angela
Instructions
Combine the Antipasto Salad
Prep the antipasto salad ingredients by cutting the meats, cheeses, and vegetables into bite-size pieces. Wash and chop or hand-tear 4 cups romaine lettucehe romaine lettuce.
Transfer 4 cups romaine lettuce into a large bowl then add ½ cup green olives, ½ cup black olives, 8 oz pepperoni, ½ cup pickled roasted peppers, 8 oz Genoa Salami, ½ cup mozzarella cheese balls, 13 oz artichoke hearts, and 8 oz Colby-Jack cheese.
Make the Balsamic Dressing
Add ¼ cup olive oil, 2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning to a small bowl. Whisk the ingredients until combined, then pour over your salad.
Toss to coat thoroughly and serve immediately.
Notes
Notes:
- 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce is usually equivalent to 1 head of romaine lettuce.
- The balsamic can be substituted with either red wine vinegar or lemon juice. Or try my Italian dressing, or creamy Italian dressing instead.
- Other great additions include nuts (like pistachios, almonds, or pecans), hot capicola, prosciutto, hard Italian cheese (like Pecorino Romano), cherry tomatoes, marinated mushrooms, or gorgonzola.
- Serve your antipasto salad with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and/or freshly ground black pepper.
Storage:
- This salad is best enjoyed fresh. However, if you plan to store it, leave off the dressing.
- The salad and dressing can be prepared separately and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days.
Nutrition
Calories: 530kcal (27%) | Carbohydrates: 6g (2%) | Protein: 21g (42%) | Fat: 47g (72%) | Saturated Fat: 16g (100%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 20g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 79mg (26%) | Sodium: 1825mg (79%) | Potassium: 306mg (9%) | Fiber: 2g (8%) | Sugar: 2g (2%) | Vitamin A: 2905IU (58%) | Vitamin C: 15mg (18%) | Calcium: 260mg (26%) | Iron: 2mg (11%)
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antipasto salad, best antipasto salad recipe, easy salad recipes, how to make antipasto salad, ingredients needed for antipasto salad, lunch recipes, luncheon menu ideas, luncheon recipes
Course Salad, Salad Recipes, Side Dish
Cuisine American, Italian
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com
Angela is an at home chef that developed a passion for all things cooking and baking at a young age in her Grandma's kitchen. After many years in the food service industry, she now enjoys sharing all of her family favorite recipes and creating tasty dinner and amazing dessert recipes here at Bake It With Love!
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