Easy Lunch & Dinner Meal Ideas for Entertaining Friends & Family
Here at Old El Paso, we believe that food brings people together! That’s why we’ve curated this list of easy lunch and dinner meal ideas for entertaining friends and family to help you Make Some Noise around the dinner table. These recipes are designed to be quick and easy, so you won’t need to worry about missing out on all the fun while you cook; from pork tacos to vegetarian options, there’s something for everyone. With that said, let's explore some mouth-watering lunch and dinner ideas, perfect for all your entertaining needs!
Simple Lunch Ideas For Entertaining Friends & Family
Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas Tacos
Recipe Name
Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas TacosTotal Time
6 hours and 30 minutesSpice Level
MildServings
8Ingredients
- 1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 sachet Old El Paso™ Taco Seasoning Mix
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 250ml orange juice
- 6 garlic cloves, peeled
- 1.4kg boneless pork shoulder joint, rind removed
- 1 pack Old El Paso™ Stand 'N' Stuff Soft Tortilla Boats (8 tortillas)
- 150g mixed salad leaves or shredded lettuce
- 80g ready-grated mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 small red onion, finely sliced
Preparation
- In small bowl, combine the oil, taco seasoning mix, salt, thyme and cumin. Spread the paste all over the pork shoulder, pressing to coat. Place in the slow cooker dish. Pour the orange juice around the pork and add the garlic.
- Cover and cook on the Low heat setting for 5-6 hours or until the pork is very tender. Transfer the pork from the slow cooker to a shallow dish. Cool for 5 minutes then use 2 forks to shred the meat. Toss with about 200ml of the braising liquid (discard the remaining braising liquid).
- Heat the tortilla boats to pack instructions. Divide the lettuce and cheese evenly between the tortilla boats. Top each one with about 85g of the pork (see Tips for using up any leftovers), then top with the cheese and sliced onion.
Expert Tips
- Turn your taco dinner into a real Tex-Mex family feast by serving with sides of Traditional Guacamole and Salsa.
- To take the edge off the raw onion, place the sliced onion in a sieve and rinse with cold water for about 30 seconds. Drain and pat dry with kitchen paper.
- You’ll have some have leftover pork after making the tacos – use hot or cold in sandwiches, quesadillas, burritos or grain bowls.
Made With...
One-Pot Dinner Ideas For Entertaining
If you’re looking for more easy meals to help entertain your family and friends, we have plenty to help bring Good Noise to your dinner table! From flavour-filled rice dishes to hearty salads and even vegan and vegetarian options – you can be sure that every guest will feel included.
Bayou Sausage Jambalaya
Our Bayou Sausage Jambalaya recipe is a hearty dish that can be whipped up in only an hour, making it the perfect option for stress-free entertaining! It’s packed with the rich flavours of chorizo, chicken, and your favourite Old El Paso™ Salsa, making it one of those easy meals that everyone will love.
Expert Tip: To turn up the heat, add some chopped red chilli peppers during the last 2-minutes of cooking the chorizo and chicken.
Summer Specific Meals for Entertaining
Chilli Paprika Burrito Bowl
If you’re looking for a lighter summertime meal to entertain your guests, our Chilli Paprika Burrito Bowl is perfect! This dish is quick to prepare and is great for enjoying by the pool, in the garden, or indoors. The veggies are sure to keep you and your guests feeling full, refreshed and provide plenty of texture. For vegetarian guests, replace the chicken with mushrooms for an easy alternative.
Expert Tip: For a more engaging experience, serve the ingredients on a table in individual bowls and allow guests to create their own salad with their choice of toppings.
Easy Beef Taco Salad
Vegan & Vegetarian Meals For Entertaining
Mexican-inspired meals are versatile, meaning that there’s an array of vegan and vegetarian meals for entertaining! The question is, which will you choose? Dive into some of our favourites that are perfect for sharing below.
Vegan Roasted Cauliflower Chickpea Tortilla Wraps
Roasted Vegetable Tacos
Prepare For Good Noise & Good Times
These easy lunch and dinner meal ideas for entertaining friends and family offer a range of flavours to ensure that every guest is catered to, making hosting stress-free and fun! Plus, you can keep any leftovers for the next day, allowing you to relax after a busy day of hosting. So, get your invitations ready, fire up the stove or grill, and prepare to let the Good Noise of family and friends fill your home.