Have a Dinner Party With These Dishes—and Do Fewer Dishes, Too

We paired up with Kohler to share dinner parties ideas where you'll spend more time at the table than doing dishes.

Yes, you can host a dinner party and actually attend—and no, this doesn't mean ordering takeout, prepping 5 days in advance, or requesting your guests eat off of paper plates. Here's the secret: Make dishes that require, well, fewer dishes—ones that can be assembled and the kitchen cleaned and dishes done while they're cooking.

Start with an appetizer that doesn't require your guests to use any utensils except their fingers—like a rustic beet tart or mushroom pinwheels. For your main course (and side), consider a one-pot wonder and/or a casserole. They both give you enough time to clean those counters, grab a glass of wine, and start mingling with your guests. As the saying goes (okay, it's not a saying—yet): Fewer dishes, fewer problems.

Appetizers are best when eaten with your hands.

Whether it's a main course or a side dish, one pot is wonderful.

These main courses are are on a (casse)role—or made on a baking sheet.

What's your go-to, stress-free dinner party dish? Tell us in the comments below!

We've paired up with Kohler to share ideas for what to have on hand to throw dinner parties—and how to wipe up after them—during the holiday season. Follow along with our inspiration here.