These luncheon recipes are elegant enough for special occasions or just to have some friends over. Create a pretty table setting with a lunch menu.

I don’t know about you, but when the weather is nice, I just want to get out some nice dishes and linens and have an old-fashioned ladies’ luncheon on the porch or outdoors.

A lunch party is a great way to celebrate with friends and family. But what do you serve? I have a few luncheon recipe ideas that are perfect for entertaining! From appetizers to main dishes, and sweet desserts!

I went through some of my really old hometown cookbooks to find some recipe ideas which are perfect to use for your next luncheon, baby, or wedding shower you may have scheduled.

Main Dish

One of my favorite dishes to make for a luncheon is quiche. You can serve it as individual quiches or make a few pie pan versions and serve pie slices. Quiches are simple to make with simple ingredients.

• Perfect Quiche Recipe
• Sausage Quiche
• Classic Quiche Lorraine

tea Sandwiches

What are tea sandwiches? Tea sandwiches (also called finger sandwiches) are small sandwiches made to be eaten in 2-3 bites with your hands. The perfect size to be able to offer more than one kind of sandwich for your guests to try. These are normally served on crustless bread by using cookie cutters.

• Cucumber Sandwiches
• Easy Ham & Cheese Tea Sandwiches
• Masters Egg Salad Recipe
• Old-Fashioned Southern Pimento Cheese

Salads

Salads seem to be a must to serve at any luncheon. So many folks like to eat lite and a cold salad is a great choice. Salads are a great choice because you can make them ahead so that you can take care of other items which need to be done on the day of the party.

• The Best Side Salad
• Classic Broccoli Salad
• Macaroni Salad

Appetizers

I love serving appetizers at parties. They are easy to make and actually, you could make a whole luncheon out of appetizers. That way your guests would have so many items to choose from. Make them ahead and store them in the fridge until party day.

• Easy Prosciutto Wrapped Pears with Arugula
• Deviled Eggs & Variations
• Pesto Pinwheels with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto
• Million Dollar Dip (A Favorite)

drinks

Drinks could be basically anything, but for a luncheon, you would want to keep the drinks light. I love to serve fruity-style drinks for this occasion. And of course, you can have alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Just be sure to label them as such.

• Classic Mimosa
• Wine Spritzers
• Iced Tea Bar
• Spring Mocktails

desserts

Bite-sized desserts are a perfect choice for a luncheon. They could be basically anything, just served in smaller portions.

• Easy Oreo Truffles
• 3 Ingredient Brownie Mix Cherry Brownies
• Mini Cheesecakes
• Strawberry Shortcake Trifles

tablescapes

There is so much you can do to set a beautiful table whether you have fine china or paper plates. Tons out there to choose from and there really is no right or wrong when it comes to setting a table.

If you have china, silverware, and crystal. Use it! Especially if it’s an adult luncheon and you don’t have to worry about the kids breaking anything. There are so many ways to use fine china today. You don’t have to be traditional for sure anymore. I love the use of rattan placemats, china, and linen napkins in the tablescape above. All different textures on that table.

If you love the traditional look, put it all out there. Beautiful crystal, china, and lovely blue and white vases with that touch of yellow in the tulips. And stack those plates for each setting.

This is something I have yet to try but love it!! Mix and match all your place settings, crystal, and silverware sets. Isn’t this gorgeous and so fun?! If you don’t have different sets of china, then start collecting pieces from thrift or antique stores until you get enough settings for your table. I see so much china when I go out junking now. It would also be fun to display too.

Don’t have china? Then check out these paper plates and napkins! There are so many beautiful sets out there that are a fraction of the cost of real china and flatware. They are really hard to tell the difference. Kate Aspen makes some really beautiful patterns to choose from.

• Floral Party Supplies Paper Plates
• Vintage Floral Paper Tea Cups and Saucer Sets
• Gold Plastic Silverware Set
• Kate Aspen 9 in. Premium Paper Plates
• Vintage Paper Floral Tea Cups and Saucer Sets

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