How to Host an Autumn Dinner Party

Cozy up to fall with a hearty harvest feast. Here’s a menu of comforting, elegant dishes meant to be passed and shared with friends, plus our tips for pulling it off.

The Menu

Greet guests with an autumnal cocktail that’s still light and refreshing. The Harvested Apple, created by the mixologists at Tennessee’s Blackberry Farm, gets a hint of apple flavor from Calvados along with festive bubbles from sparkling wine—perfect as an aperitif. Pair with savory nibbles such as our spicy broccoli rabe bruschetta with creamy ricotta.

We love this pear, fennel and goat cheese salad as a starter; a variety of textures and sprinkling of dried currants make it particularly beautiful. For the main course, our test kitchen’s chicken and spinach lasagna is a crowd-pleaser, and using our organic tomato-basil pasta sauce makes quick work of a dish that would traditionally take all afternoon to make. Serve this with a light shredded brussels sprout and kale salad.

Of course, a feast like this one calls for a special dessert. Our salted caramel apple pie both looks impressive and tastes ridiculously delicious, especially when served with a dollop of whipped cream.

Planning for the Event

• 1 to 2 days ahead: Make the pie dough and the salted caramel; refrigerate separately.
• Day of: Bake the pie. Cook the broccoli rabe and toast the bread for the bruschetta.
• Just before serving: Prep and bake the lasagna. Make the salad and roast the squash. Mix the cocktails and assemble the bruschetta (the broccoli rabe may be served warm or at room temperature).

Set up a self-serve cocktail bar with these gorgeous coupe glasses and let guests help themselves. Keep extra chilled sparkling wine (plus any other bottles you like) on hand for wine drinkers.

Serve the bruschetta on a rustic walnut board. To add to the communal vibe, bring out the lasagna from oven to table by baking it in a ceramic cocotte or cast-iron oven and revealing it tableside with extra parmesan for everyone. If you’d rather keep things casual, set up a buffet so everyone can serve themselves.

Set the table that celebrates the season. Use a table runner that features a fall motif, like this elegant runner covered in grove-patterned jacquard, and complement it with solid Italian washed linen napkins. Natural textures and colors are great for autumn; bring in olive leaves, pine cones, grapes and other fall foliage to bring the table to life.