Graduation Party Food

Getty ImagesWhether your child has just completed kindergarten (learning those lower-case letters is tough), is graduating from high school, or has earned a Bachelor's, Master's or other degree, graduations are a big deal -- so you understandably want to commemorate this great accomplishment with the appropriate amount of "pomp." A backyard party can be both casual and elegant at the same time -- from the decorations to the menu. But how can you make enough food (that actually tastes good) to serve 20 or 50 people without driving yourself mad the day of the party?

Most of the below dips, appetizers, salads, entrées and desserts can be prepared a day or two in advance -- leaving you more time to gush over your recent grad (and pat yourself on the back for your successful parenting). In addition to our suggested menu, make sure to have plenty of freshly cut vegetables and crackers or chips, and if you want to completely cut during-the-party cooking, sub in cold cuts such as roasted turkey and different cheeses for the grilled entrées. And to wash it all down? Just soda and water won't do -- try one of these 12 big-batch punch, mocktail or cocktail recipes.

Graduation Party Recipes

Preserved Lemon Dip with Crudites
This light yogurt- and sour cream-based dip earns its stars with lemon zest and fresh dill.

Eggplant Dip
Though it looks like hummus, this dip has a hearty texture and rich flavor thanks to baked eggplants.

Roasted Red Pepper Dip
When you start with jarred roasted red peppers, this dip takes only 15 minutes to prepare. After tasting the intricate combination of flavors, guests will assume you spent hours.

White Bean Dip with Piquillo Peppers
This is not your ordinary white bean dip. Curtis Stone jazzes up the cannellini bean base with shallots, garlic, cumin and piquillo peppers.

Corn Dog Bites
Everyone loves the dough-wrapped hot dogs or sausages known as 'pigs in a blanket,' but they're so obvious as a party appetizer. Up your game with this healthier, tasty rendition -- turkey hot dogs nestled in mini cornbread muffins. Fill the muffin tins before guests arrived, and while everyone is mingling, pop them in the oven for 10 minutes.

Three-Bean Salad
Chickpeas, green beans and lima beans or edamame never tasted so good as in this salad that's seasoned with a vinegar, sugar and mustard dressing.

Southwestern Corn & Black Bean Salad
A little crunch goes a long way, as in this hearty corn and bean salad with pine nuts and cabbage. Make the salad the day before, and then toss with salt and pepper before serving.

Greek Salad
Rather than portioning this salad into individual bowls, make a big batch (multiplying ingredients by four or five), serve in a large salad bowl, and leave dressing in a separate dish or cruet for guests to use as they choose.

Garden Pasta Salad
This pasta salad has all the standard add-ins -- cherry tomatoes, peppers, carrots, olives and scallions -- but has a healthy secret: It's made with whole-wheat noodles and reduced-fat versions of the mayo and yogurt dressing bases.

Rosemary Scented Chicken
This low-maintenance main dish has lots of flavor thanks to rosemary, garlic and balsamic vinegar.

Poached Salmon with Tarragon Mayonnaise
This elegant, room-temperature entrée should be made 2 days before the party. Don't be intimidated by the poaching process -- it's easier than you think.

Margarita Fruit Cocktail
If you don't have enough margarita glasses for a crowd (or can't find plastic versions), this jazzed-up fruit salad will still have an extra kick served in a regular bowl thanks to lots of lime flavoring.

Lemon Strawberry Pie
Add this pie's finishing touches (sliced and whole berries) the morning of your party. The sweet and tart treat is decadent enough to be your only dessert, but light enough to be enjoyed on a hot June day.

More from KitchenDaily:
Feeding a smaller group? Check out grilling guru Elizabeth Karmel's party menu.
Dessert tripping you up? These 10 easy sweets will cap off your meal -- without making you want to tear your cap off.
Learn to make a graduation-themed beer cooler cake