Party food catering ideas

Bourbon-Glazed Baby Back Ribs

A face full of barbecue sauce is the great equalizer. Serve with: Sop up that extra barbecue sauce with cornbread, and creamy potato salad. Since the bourbon is already open, go ahead and make a big batch of bourbon peach sweet tea.

Grilled Pizza

Large-format summer mains are generally pretty meat-centric—because, face it, throwing a big piece of meat on the grill is just so obvious. But, vegetarians and carnivores alike always appreciate a pizza party. Serve with: Grilled broccoli rabe and antipasto chopped salad fill the vegetable quotient without filling your whole afternoon with extra prep. And, when it comes to pizza, chianti is always the answer.

DIY Hot Dog Bar

Be as crazy (or as conservative) with the toppings as you'd like. Serve with: Go All-American and serve baked beans on the side, ice cream sandwiches to finish, and Budweiser throughout.

Shrimp Boil

A one (big) pot dinner party! Corn, shellfish, and potatoes means you cover all the food groups, too. Serve with: Up the ante with hush puppies, Bloody Marys, and plenty of Old Bay.

Date Night: Barbera & Homemade Pepperoni Pizza

Impress your other half with a made-from-scratch pepperoni pizza and an affordable bottle of Barbera, a juicy, versatile Italian red that pairs well with tomato sauce-based dishes. The bright acidity of this fruity, low-tannin wine will make your mouth water and have you coming back for "just one more slice."

Bring the Party Home

Bar tabs and restaurant bills add up quickly when you're out with a group. Ease the strain on your wallet by entertaining at home instead of going out. To provide a little inspiration, we've come up with 9 low-cost, D.I.Y. party ideas, complete with simple and affordable wine and food pairing suggestions. Now, all you have to do is start making the guest list.