What to Serve for a Graduation Party
Want to know what to serve for a graduation party? I’ve got you covered with ideas and recipes to get you started! Incorporate some of these recipes into our graduation party ideas and you will be ready to celebrate the graduate. I’ve included appetizers, main dishes, side salads, with some salsa and dessert thrown in for good measure. Most dishes can be made ahead so they’re ready when you are. Others require grilling so they become an interactive part of the party.

After designing these boxed lunch backyard shabby chic graduation party ideas I thought it would be a good idea to collect some recipes that would be great to make and serve at a graduation party. Some of these recipes are great for filling your lunch boxes. Others are best to set out buffet style and let guests serve themselves. For more tips see everything you need to know to host a potluck party.
Enlist Help
You can easily double or triple the recipes here to feed a larger crowd. I suggest asking a couple of close friends or family members to help make some of the side dishes or desserts. You can fill in food gaps by adding party trays from the grocery store or restaurants. Things like vegetable platters, fruit platters, mini chicken sandwiches are all good choices.
Overview of Graduation Menu
In general stick to foods that are easy to prepare, easy to eat, and have broad appeal. These are our top choices.
- Picnic style sandwiches
- Grilled entrees like burgers and hot dogs
- Classic potluck sides like pasta, potato, or vegetable salads
- Tried and true appetizers like Mexican dips, and crudites
- Fill in with chips and purchased party platters
- Family friendly punch recipe
- Desserts that are single-serving size and easy to pick up
Most of the dishes are prepared with fresh seasonal ingredients. They should appeal to all ages that you would expect to be at a graduation party. There’s also some vegetarian options for your guests who don’t eat meat. You can view the entire collection below and click to view recipes. Happy Making!
What to Serve for a Graduation Party
Choose one or more of these recipes to serve at your graduation party. These recipes can be doubled or tripled to serve a crowd. And they're great for backyard parties. Find snacks, entrees, side dishes, and desserts.
This family friendly punch is perfect for all ages.
Everyone loves this Mexican layer dip served with tortilla chips.
The easiest party salsa dip that everyone will love is a mixture of canned and fresh ingredients brought together with a commercial dressing.
Serve this mango salsa with chips or with fish tacos.
A hot dog bar is a great idea for parties with all ages. Follow the ideas in this ultimate toppings bar.
Fish tacos are so delicious and easy to make. Let guests add their own toppings like mango salsa.
This easy Mexican pasta bake casserole makes the most of pantry ingredients by combining two classic flavors - Italian and Mexican. A delicious one dish dinner recipe.
Make this all purpose chili recipe for a chili bar party with all the fixings. This chili goes with everything from hot dogs to pasta.
This classic cold sandwich combo is great for a picnic style lunch. The creamy tomato spread makes this rich and tasty.
The roast beef sandwiches are great for boxed lunches.
Add whimsy with these savory "diploma rolls."
Make these pressed sandwiches the night before so the flavors have time to fully combine.
These turkey melts are delicious and full of flavor.
Serve these vegetarian sandwiches for guests who want to forgo the meat choices.
The veggie sandwiches are another great alternative to meat.
Fire up the grill and make the best juicy burgers around!
Hot dogs are another classic crowd please'r. Plus guests can roast their own over an open fire if you want.
My own classic potato salad is a tried and true side dish for backyard parties. Leave the skin on small potatoes and toss with green onions, and crumbled bacon.
Crisp broccoli salad has no mayo so it's great for spring outdoor parties. It's full of flavor and texture with tomatoes, raisins and crunchy chow mein noodles.
Prepare this easy dish ahead and serve it as a side or main dish option. It's loaded with 3 types of beans and yummy ground beef.
Everyone loves this peanutty noodle salad with shredded carrots, sliced cucumber and a bit of peppery heat.
My go-to pasta salad had rich taste and crunchy bites from ingredients like celery, shredded cabbage, mayo and hard boiled eggs.
A great vegetarian option with plenty of protein from the garbanzo beans. Delicious flavors include tomatoes, feta, cucumber and black olives.
There's lots of flavor and texture in this picnic salad.
You'll get flavor and texture with every bite in this pasta salad.
This veggie pesto pasta salad is great for outdoor entertaining.
Make these outrageous fudge brownies the night before and keep them refrigerated. You won't believe how amazing they taste!
Add some whimsy to dessert with these chocolate filled pastry "diplomas."
Everyone will be begging for this lemon bar recipe after you serve it for graduation.
Top off the dessert table with these adorable graduation cap cupcakes.
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