4-Course Dinner On A Budget
Full menu, recipes, tips & ideas to throw a 4-course dinner party…and save money! A fancy dinner, the low-cost way!
Full menu, recipes, tips & ideas to throw a 4-course dinner party…and save money! A fancy dinner, the low-cost way!
4-course dinner on a budget? Really?! Oh Yes!
How many of you hold back on inviting people for a fancy dinner because of the cost?
Most of us may think that it costs way too much…
Well, good news, my friends! There are tons of options to host a lovely dinner party without breaking the bank!
In this post, I will share the best tips to help you serve that So Perfectly Simple fancy dinner at a lower cost…believe me, none of your guests will suspect that you spent so little!!
Of course, the more time you have to plan that dinner, the better! That will allow you to take advantage of the rebates that grocery stores offer… But no worry! Even a last-minute dinner can easily be fancy without costing you too much 😉
Hold on until the end because I’m also sharing my favorite budget-friendly 4-course meal, and of course, all recipes!
That should be a fancy dinner that all will enjoy, including you, because you will save so much…and even better, it will be an easy and simple dinner to prepare!
I just love that kind of dinner!! 🖤
*I know, this is a lot of info that I’m sharing today, so make sure you save it so you can come back at any time 😉
Ready? So let’s dive into it!
4-Course Dinner On A Budget…Ingredients that will make you save money
When the time comes to host a dinner party, think about these ingredients to save money. They don’t cost much, but they all can be turned into masterpieces in no time!
- Pasta! Definitely the queen of the low-cost meal!
- Pork: such as chops, pulled pork, tenderloin, or roast.
- Chicken: legs or whole chicken.
- Sausages.
- Beef: roasts, such as beef blade, brisket, or rump steak.
- Red beans, lentils…or any beans!
- Turkey.
And some side dishes to use as your meal base…Yes, you get it! To save a lot, serve less meat. But no worries, your guests won’t even notice!
So, my favorites are:
- Pasta ( again! Really the queen! )
- Couscous
- Rice
- Salad
- Potatoes
- Acorn squash, butternut squash, or any other squash! 🙂
- Tortillas or tacos
- Sweet potatoes
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4-Course Dinner On A Budget…Great ideas to help you save money
Here are my top 31 budget-friendly ideas to help you pimp up your plates and make you save money:
- 1-Remember that veggies, rice, noodle, pasta, potatoes, salad, or squash are suitable bases for any dish. These should always count for at least 2/3 of your plates. Then, add a small quantity of meat, chicken, fish, or seafood, and you will get a perfect low-cost dish!
- 2-A well-garnished plate will always look fancy, so don’t be afraid to add toppings and garnishings!
- 3-A yummy sauce on any piece of meat will add wonderful flavors and make your meal look fancier.
- 4-Adding a few shrimps or a bit of smoked salmon doesn’t cost much, but it will bring your meal to the next level!
- 5-As I mentioned earlier, pasta is the best to create satiating meals at a low cost. There are so many possibilities! Be creative…You can add any meat or fish you like or even choose a vegan option. Everyone likes pasta…and they are so easy to make! Serve them with good olive oil, parmesan cheese, or a creamy white wine sauce to make them look even fancier!
- 6-A fabulous homemade tomato sauce will spice up any pasta dish. Garnish with roasted vegetables, meat strips, or shrimp…let your imagination guide you!
- 7-Use more economical pieces of meat to cook in braised or stewed dishes. So delicious and tender after a long slow cooking!
Here are some more great ideas to save on costs…
- 8-Serve bread or dough-based appetizers; it’s more nourishing…your guests won’t pounce on your meal like hungry ogres!
- 9-Add white bean puree to your potage, meat stuffing, and meat sauce. Not only does it add texture, but it makes the dish more nourishing too! I promise that no one will notice!
- 10-Use seasonal vegetables and produce. That will make you save a lot. Take inspiration from the Italians…they are so good at cooking fresh products according to each season!
- 11-Try to use slightly smaller plates if you can; they will look fuller 😉
- 12-Serve warm bread, French baguette, garlic bread, or homemade crackers with your meal; those with a greater appetite can compensate with bread…and nothing is more appealing than a lovely bread basket!
- 13-Take advantage of meat specials offered by grocery stores. Build your menu around what’s on special.
- 14-Serve shredded meat such as pulled pork, beef, or chicken. Smaller portions will look bigger!
- 15-Serving a larger starter plate like a big salad or a big bowl of potage topped with garnishings and roasted nuts is very nutritious and will allow you to reduce the meat portions of your main course…it’s another great trick to cut on costs without anyone noticing!
- 16-Don’t hesitate to try less expensive wines; we often make great discoveries! The trick is to ask for advice to have a wine that pairs your meal…when the match is perfect, everything is good!
Still there? 🙂 I know it’s a lot of info, but it’s totally worth it!
- 17-Making a homemade dessert is also much cheaper. A simple cake, well decorated or served with a fruit coulis or a nice chocolate sauce, always impresses. And for even more punch, garnish it with whipped cream and some fresh fruits.
- 18-Again, take advantage of sales offered by the grocery stores to discover new cheeses to use as garnishing or in your recipes…you may be pleasantly surprised!
- 19-Having a multi-course meal helps you serve smaller portions.
- 20-Frozen fruits make an excellent base for fruit coulis, sauces, or desserts. Grocery stores often offer fantastic discounts. Take that opportunity to build a small reserve…it’s always nice to have everything on hand to create fabulous desserts!
- 21-Stuffed vegetables are beautiful and so affordable! Zucchinis, bell peppers, tomatoes, acorn squash…stuffed with a mixture of ground beef and rice, and topped with a yummy sauce… always a delight! And don’t forget to add some white bean puree to your meat mixture! 😉
- 22-By using more spices, herbs, garlic, or other aromatics, as well as quality ingredients, your dishes will be more flavorful…so you won’t have to add as much cheese to add flavor!
Of course, Home-Made desserts will make you save a lot! 😉
- 23-For dessert, a lovely homemade pie doesn’t cost much, especially if you use seasonal fruits. Apples, pears, and peaches are affordable all year long. Add a bit of maple syrup to enhance the flavor. Or choose to serve tartlets; they are often easier to make and so spectacular!
Pro Tip: Use ready-made dough that you just have to roll out. You will save a lot of time, and won’t cost you more. That’s what I always do, and no one ever complains!
- 24-Keep conversation going throughout the meal to stretch time. When you’re busy chatting, you eat slowly…ha!ha! and the slower you eat, the less you eat!
- 25-Thematic meals are often less expensive to host: Mexican, Italian, Taco Bar, Burger Bar… possibilities are endless!
- 26-Adding wine, beer, or some liquors to your sauces or braised roast will add a fancy flavor. I love cooking with wine; it turns any sauce into a piece of art!
- 27-Of course, the most affordable way to host a dinner party is a potluck! Always, so fun to plan…and obviously, potlucks can make you save a lot!
- 28-Use what you already have on hand. So easy to find recipes on Pinterest based on what you already have…we sometimes forget about what’s sleeping in our freezers!
- 29-Keep things simple! That sure is the best trick!! Remember that people accepted your invitation because they wanted to spend some time with you…not because they expected a five-star dinner!
- 30-Pay attention to your table decor; candles are the best to create a fabulous ambiance at a great cost. The ambiance is almost as important as your meal. When we feel good and welcomed, we always appreciate the meal, no matter how simple it is!
- 31-Serving icy water throughout the dinner will help you save on wine. Your guests might be thirsty, so make sure they have something else but wine to drink!
Still looking for more great ideas? Have a look right here to find more budget-friendly party tips! You’ll find out that simple things always work!
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4-Course Dinner On A Budget…How to Pimp Up your plates
Another great way to make your meal look fancier is by adding garnishings to your dishes. A well-garnished plate will always be more appealing!
Here are my Top 10 favorite ideas to garnish plates like a pro…at low cost!
Make sure you choose something that will pair well with your dish…and remember that you want to enhance your plate, not bury your meal, so, no need to add too much here! A pinch of something is often just enough to add a special touch.
- Lemon or lime slices or quarters
- Fresh or dried herbs
- Chopped roasted nuts
- Croutons
- Bread crumbs
- Popcorn
- Pretzel crumbs
- Salted whipped cream, sour cream, or fresh heavy cream
- Parmesan cheese or any other grated cheese
- Caramelized onions or candied cherry tomatoes; they are so yummy! 🙂
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4-Course Dinner On A Budget…
Main Dish Ideas
Now time to talk about your main dishes, which are often the more expensive part of your meal.
Here are some of my favorite main dish ideas… but please, feel free to add anything more that you like!
Hold on till the end because I share my favorite 4-course menu and all recipes. You don’t want to miss that! 😉
- Stuffed pasta: such as cannelloni, manicotti, or giant shells. Filled with ground meat, spinach, garlic, onions, and mushrooms and served with bechamel or tomato sauce. Add veggies to have a colorful plate, and voila!!… oh, and don’t forget to add some white bean puree to your meat mixture!
- Chicken and broccoli stuffed crepes with white wine bechamel sauce. It sure is a great fancy dish, topped with a bit of cheese, fresh herbs, and chopped roasted nuts. It could also be chicken & spinach, shrimp & asparagus… try any combination that inspires you!
- Chicken and sausage skewers. Served on a bed of vegetable rice, noodles, or couscous. Many recipes are available. With fruits or veggies, or a mix of both, they will please your guests for sure!
- Half Acorn squash stuffed with a mixture of meat and rice. Add a bit of cheese to turn it into a fabulous gratinated dish!
- Small salmon steak ( or other fish ), served on a spinach and garlic pasta bed. It could also be some big salmon flakes; that would be even more budget-friendly!
- Pasta duo: meat tortellini with white wine creamy sauce & fettuccini with tomato sauce, topped with grilled vegetables and a few slices of grilled sausage. Garnish with green onions and a bit of parmesan cheese to get a wonderful meal full of color and flavors.
These are my favorites, but feel free to change some ingredients to use what you have on hand. You can change any combination according to your tastes or what’s on sale at the grocery store! 😉
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4-Course Dinner On A Budget…
Low-Cost Appetizers and Starters
These are the perfect way to start your meal… Remember? Heavier appetizers and starters will allow you to reduce the portion size of your main course… and save money!
Here are my favorite ones:
- Alsacian pizza
- Spinach bites
- White wine & cheese canapes
- Escargot turnovers with creamy garlic sauce
- Leek gratin
- Creamy onion potage
4-Course Dinner On A Budget…
Low-Cost Desserts
My favorite part! And a perfect way to end your meal…
- Homemade apple pie or apple strudels
- Coffee Pouding-Chomeur
- Pineapple pie…find the full recipe here and more great ideas! All easy Make-Ahead desserts to help you end your meal the sweety way!
- Date squares with caramel sauce
- Impossible pie
- Ice cream cake with fruit coulis
There are so many possibilities here! It’s very easy to create a fabulous dessert at a low cost! Of course, cakes from the bakery shop look great but are so expensive! And believe me, your guests will appreciate that you took the time to bake them a sweet treat!
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4-Course Dinner On A Budget…
The 4-Course Meal
And now… Time to share my favorite 4-course budget-friendly meal!
Of course, when selecting your menu, it’s essential to think of a healthy, well-balanced menu, but for a budget-friendly one, you also have to think about the costs…
If your main dish is a little expensive, choose less costly recipes for the rest of your meal. That would be a great way to save on costs and still offer a fabulous meal to your guests! There are tons of recipes with veggies, pasta, chicken…
The 4-course budget-friendly menu I chose is a healthy and well balanced menu…especially for your wallet! 😊And because I’m all about simple things, it’s also very easy to prepare.
And to ensure you enjoy each minute of your dinner party, go grab these 50 Tips to make dinner hosting easier… No doubt! You will host dinner parties like a pro after reading these!
But, for now, let’s get back to our meal…Let’s start with the appetizers!
Cheese & white wine canapes: That is probably the easiest recipe on Earth! And because it’s bread & cheese based, it will fill up your guests.
Creamy onion potage topped with bacon & green onions: Another easy recipe! You can make it ahead and warm it up just before serving time.
Shrimp and leek creamy linguine: I just love that dish! I add just a few shrimp on top of that fabulous pasta plate. Shrimps will make that dish a little fancier, and to tell you the truth, it doesn’t cost more than adding chicken strips!
Coffee Pudding-Chomeur: A great low-cost dessert! And so easy to make! You can make it ahead and re-heat a little before serving. Serve it with a good vanilla ice cream and sprinkle with cocoa powder to add color… it should please all your guests!
See? That is a fabulous low-cost menu! Not only will you save on cost, but you will also save on time!…that means you won’t need to hide in the kitchen all night! 😉 You will enjoy each minute of this evening with your guests, isn’t that great?
Never forget that your guests are the most important part of your dinner party!!
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4-Course Dinner On A Budget…The recipes!!
Finally time to talk about these fantastic recipes! Yay!
…Appetizers…
Cheese & White Wine Canapes
These are so easy to make! I just can’t tell how many times I served them and everyone loves them! You can use different cheeses, such as Gruyere, a mix of Parmesan and Mozzarella, Cheddar, or even Brie. I sometimes make them with dark beer instead of white wine, and it’s as delicious as the wine version.
That is the kind of recipe that you need to have on hand! Use it as a base that you can enhance with anything you have in your fridge!…diced ham or bacon, tomatoes or jalapenos, olive slices…see? It’s a bit like pizza; you can add almost anything to it!
Cheese and white wine canapés
Ingredients
- 36 slices French baguette
- ½ cup white wine
- 1½ cup grated old cheddar cheese
- 2 green onions finely sliced
- cayenne pepper
- paprika
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°
- Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper
- Pour white wine into a small bowl
- In another bowl, combine green onions and cheese
- Dip one side of each baguette slice, one at a time, into the wine and place on the sheet pan, wine side up
- Spread cheese and green onions on bread slices
- Sprinkle with a bit of cayenne pepper and paprika to add color
- Bake for 10 to 15 minutes until golden brown.
… The Starter …
Creamy Onion Potage
That potage is very easy to make and so delicious! It has a light and sweet taste, but the topping will make the difference here!
I like to add a mix of bacon, green onions, and pecan on a bit of whipped cream, but feel free to add any other garnishing that inspires you 😉
Creamy onion potage
Ingredients
- 8 large onions cut into thick slices
- 1 large potato
- 4 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
- 2 tbsp butter
- ½ cup dry white wine
- 6 cups chicken broth
- ¾ cup Country style 15% cream
- Salt & pepper
For the topping
- 6 tbsp salted whipped cream
- 3 cooked bacon slices, cut into dice
- 1 tbsp chopped roasted pecans
- 2 tbsp sliced green onions
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, heat butter over medium-low heat.
- Add onion slices, potato dice, and garlic.
- Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring, until tender but do not allow it to brown.
- Add wine and cook until liquid is almost all evaporated.
- Reduce to low heat, add chicken broth, salt & pepper. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Reserve 1 cup of broth and blend the rest using an electric blender until smooth. Add some of the remaining broth if necessary to obtain the right texture.
- Put back into the saucepan and heat.
- Add cream and more of the remaining broth if needed to obtain a nice consistent creamy texture.
- Divide potage into six bowls.
- Top with a dollop of salted whipped cream, bacon, shallots, and pecan.
…Your main dish …
Shrimp & leek creamy linguine
One of my favorite recipes! I created that recipe once to use a big bunch of leeks that I had… and it turned out to be one of my favorite recipes ever! I used giant shrimps this time, so I added only 2 to each plate, but you could use any size. But don’t add too many; remember that it’s supposed to be a budget-friendly meal! The base of this dish is creamy leek linguine… You only add shrimp to pimp it up a little!
Try these pasta with grilled chicken strips for a change…or a mix of shrimp and chicken cubes… or even salmon! 😉Try to use what you have on hand or what the grocery store has on sale.
Shrimp and leeks creamy linguine
Ingredients
- 1 box linguine
- 18 large shrimps or 12 giant ones
- 2 tbsp garlic butter, divided
- 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
- ½ cup white wine
- 2 cups sliced leeks
- ½ pound thickly sliced mushrooms
- ½ pound lightly cooked snow peas
- 1½ cup chicken broth
- 1 to 1½ cup Country style 15% cream
- 1½ tsp minced garlic
- salt & pepper
- 2 slices fully cooked bacon cut into dices
Instructions
- Cook linguine according to package instructions. Drain and keep warm
- Heat half of the butter and oil over medium-high heat in a skillet. Grill shrimps for a few minutes until they are pink and golden, turning halfway. Put aside and keep warm.
- Heat the remaining garlic butter and oil using the same pan, and cook leeks and mushrooms for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Add garlic and continue cooking for a few minutes until mushrooms are golden brown.
- Add bacon and cook for a minute.
- Pour in the wine and continue cooking over medium-high heat until almost all the wine has evaporated.
- Add chicken broth and cream. Salt & pepper. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes over medium heat.
- Pour in the linguine and heat well.
- Spread linguine into six plates and top with shrimp.
- Garnish with fresh or dried parsley
…And for dessert… My favorite part!
Coffee Pudding-Chomeur
That is a good old French Canadian classic! Of course, I like the caramel classic one, but this coffee version is so good!
I’m a coffee lover, so I like anything with coffee… but, believe me, it will also please the ones that are not big coffee fans too!
Coffee Pudding-chomeur
Ingredients
- 1 cup flour
- ½ tbsp baking powder
- 2 pinches salt
- 2 tbsp instant coffee powder
- ⅓ cup softened butter
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- ½ cup milk
- 1 cup water
- 2 cups brown sugar
- ½ cup Country style 15% cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°
- Butter an 8-inch baking pan
- In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, and 1 tablespoon of coffee powder
- Using an electric mixer, mix butter and sugar until smooth and creamy in another bowl. Add egg, vanilla, and milk
- Gradually stir in dry ingredients with a wooden spoon
- Pour the mixture into the buttered baking pan
- Combine water, brown sugar, cream, and the remaining coffee in a saucepan. Bring to a boil. Gently pour over the first mixture
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes
- Serve warm or cold
Notes
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4-Course Dinner On A Budget…In short
As you can see, it’s very easy to turn any meal into a budget-friendly meal!
- Wine, meat, seafood, and cheese are the most expensive. So, reducing quantities for these ingredients will help you save for sure!
- Less expensive wine could surprise you…and don’t forget to serve water throughout the evening!
- Pasta, rice, potatoes, squash, couscous, noodles, and veggies are much more affordable; prioritize them on your plate; they should count for at least 2/3 of the plate.
- Homemade desserts will also help you save a lot… and your guests will appreciate that you took the time to bake a lovely dessert for them!
- Pay attention to your table decor. A great table is more inviting, and your guests will feel welcomed, no matter the meal!
- Serve bread or dough-based appetizers.
- Have bread baskets on your table.
- Use less expensive meat cuts and take advantage of the grocery store specials.
- Use ingredients you have on hand; buying a big jar of a particular spice but using just a pinch of it won’t make you save at all! Be creative; I’m sure you can easily use something else.
And don’t forget to keep things simple!
I hope these little tricks, tips, and recipes will help you plan and host your next dinner party!
Never be afraid to switch or skip some ingredients you don’t have on hand… it’s always fun to add our special touch to a new recipe!
Build a beautiful ( low-cost! ) decor on your table… and enjoy your evening! 😊
As always, I would love to hear from you! 🖤Use the comment box to tell me about your best tricks to save on costs… or even better! Use the comment box to share your favorite low-cost recipe! I just can’t wait to try it!
*If you liked this post, let your friends know! Please, share it! 😉
Talk to you soon!
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–How To Pimp Up Everything
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