5 Ways To Throw A $20 Dinner Party

By Gabriella Vigoreaux

Feeding a crowd on the cheap might not be a new challenge, but it’s one everyone wrestles with. A good old-fashioned potluck always seems like the easiest answer, but beware: It often ends in a random, unorganized menu that consists entirely of salad and cookies.

If you’re looking to impress your guests with a feast that you whipped up yourself, try one of these five easy ideas, which will serve six people for $20 (or less if you’ve got a well-stocked pantry). Don’t worry, no one will know how little you spent, so don’t feel bad about telling them to bring the wine and dessert.

Idea #1: Arepa Party

Arepas are South American corn cakes that are commonly stuffed with cheese, shredded chicken, beans, or vegetables. The dough is simply made from arepa flour, salt, and water, so they are incredibly cheap to make. You can find arepa flour (sometimes labeled harina precocida or masarepa) in the international aisle of your grocery store, at Latin supermarkets, or online at amigofoods.com. You can get as creative as you want with these little pockets of goodness. Leftover rotisserie chicken works nicely, or you could do a vegetarian version with canned black beans, shredded cheese, and avocado.

Get the recipe: Arepas

See more: 25 Amazing Turkeys for Your Feast

Idea #2: Pizza Party

If you take a good look in your pantry, you probably have everything you need to make some homemade pizza dough. All it takes is olive oil, flour, and some yeast. As far as toppings go, you can spend as little or as much as you want but you can’t go wrong with a classic Margherita. All you need is mozzarella, basil, garlic, and canned tomatoes to get this simple pie together.

Get the recipe: Pizza Margherita

See more: How to Make Creamiest, Dreamiest, Cheesiest Mac and Cheese Ever

Idea #3: Taco Party

Homemade corn tortillas are a breeze to make, with only 2 real ingredients. With one bag of masa (corn tortilla mix) you can make several more tortillas than you could buy in a package at the store. Buy as many fillings as you can afford, but we’re a fan of chicken thighs, which are cheaper than breasts and more flavorful since they have more fat. Slice half an onion very thinly and soak the slices in red-wine vingegar while you cook the chicken for some quick-pickles. Dice up the other half and combine with chopped tomatoes, a jalapeño, and cilantro for a quick salsa.

Get the recipe: Chicken Tacos

Idea #4: Polenta Party

Have you guys ever seen or been to an Italian polenta party? Let me paint the scene for you. A bunch of polenta gets dramatically poured on the table (or a polenta board), topped with assorted meats, cheeses, or vegetables, and guests kind of just go out it with their forks. This got us thinking about how cheap and versatile polenta can be for entertaning because all you need is salt and water to cook it. You could add your favorite cheese and herbs if you have any lying around. For the toppings we like sautéed mushrooms and greens. You don’t have to make a mess on your table or invest in a polenta board either. Any combination of serving platters will do.

Get the recipe: Creamy Polenta

Idea #5: The Pancake Bar

When does breakfast for dinner not sound appealing? Everyone knows you can make a big frittata for very little money, but why not indulge by creating a customizable pancake bar? Whip up your favorite no-fail recipe, buy a couple seasonal fruits, and tell your friends to bring their favorite pancake toppings.

Get the recipe: Lemon-Buttermilk Flapjacks

More from Epicurious:

A Visual Guide to Winter Squash

The Most Delicious Roast Chicken Dinner You’ll Make This Fall

Stress-Free, Super-Tasty Pies That Will Impress Anyone

Breakfast of Champions: Creating the Ultimate Egg Sandwich

photos: Peden + Munk, Christina Holmes, Romulo Yanes