Light & Rustic Dinner Party Menu - Celebrations at Home (2024)

Light Dinner Menu

A light meal is just what you need when hosting a casual get-together. And these dinner party menu ideas turned out delicious! Serve them family-style on a fall tabletop design and let their vibrant colors complement the setting.

Whenever I entertain at home I’m guilty of thinking that I have to create a gourmet meal that takes hours to prepare. Although that’s actually my idea of fun, I’m also learning the art of restraint and embracing the idea of serving food in a more natural and rustic state.

The recipes for this menu can serve 4 to 6 people and it’s easy to increase the ingredients if you need to serve more.

Simple Ingredients

If you’ve ever been to France or Italy you know how they create a meal with fresh wholesome ingredients and minimal prep. And it’s amazing!

I was inspired by that concept and decided on this menu consisting of a cheese board, nicoise salad, and rustic pasta with sausage. It’s the type of meal that ignites your taste buds with simple ingredients and fantastic flavor combos.

Cheese Board Starter

Nothing is as classic and satisfying as a party cheese board when entertaining at home. There’s no need to go overboard when you’re hosting a casual dinner party, just add 2-3 cheese options, nuts, fruit, and bread or crackers.

The beauty is in the arrangement and you really can’t go wrong there. Create a charcuterie party board with these items.

• blue cheese
• white cheddar
• purple grapes
• fresh figs
• walnuts
• almonds
• French baguette slices

Nicoise Salad

This salad is more like part of the main coarse rather than a starter salad. The protein packed salad is a fabulous combination of ingredients, and oh so French! Add the ingredients in separate rows to add beauty to the presentation.

Key ingredients include spinach & arugula mix, tuna, hard boiled eggs, cherry tomatoes and black olives. See full recipe at the bottom.

Here’s a list of alternate options for a rustic meal.

• Spinach and arugula salad with tomatoes
• Kale salad with apples, walnuts and blue cheese
• Spinach orzo salad
• Broccoli salad
• Deviled eggs with bacon

Pasta with Sausage

Nothing satisfies a crowd like pasta tossed with flavorful add-ins. To keep this light and rustic I added sausage medallions. You don’t need a heavy sauce, just some good quality olive oil.

I actually used the oil that the sun-dried tomatoes were packed in, to drizzle over the top and it was superb.

This dish can also be served cold or at room temperature. Just use sliced pepperoni or salami instead of the sausage. Get full recipe below.

Here are some other recipe options that are good for a rustic menu.

• Thai noodle salad with shrimp
• Thai chicken salad with peanut dressing
• (drizzled with honey)
• Jerk seasoned chicken skewers

Round out the table with a baguette served with soft butter or ricotta in a bowl drizzled with olive oil, salt and freshly ground pepper.

Wine

Choose a crisp dry or semi-dry white wine to wash it all down. A Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc are nice, or try a lovely Rosé.

Dessert

For dessert, serve this rustic apple galette with caramel drizzle, or this mixed berry galette.They’re easy and definitely say “rustic” dinner.

For alternative options, try one of these recipes.

• Oatmeal coconut lace cookies (great served with easy homemade ice cream)
• Oatmeal chocolate chip bars
• Easy blackberry pie
• Best glazed lemon bars

More Party Menus

If you like this rustic dinner menu, here are more menus for entertaining to check out.

• Check out thisfall alfresco dinner menu.
• Here’s a casual dinner party menu you’ll love.
• Here’s an easy laid back dinner party in 6 steps.
• Host a sunset supper menu with friends.