Fall Kickoff Dinner Party

Dinner Party Diaries – Volume 1 Issue 20

Although calendars are certainly filling up and the busyness of routine is very much a thing, now is the time to seize the day and welcome fall with an easy Fall Kickoff Dinner Party before holiday craziness sets in.  Keep it low key with some easy food and a casual vibe.  

With the slightly cooling weather, I feel like it’s now officially time for a nice round of comfort food.  Read on to see what I had in mind.  

Rather than focusing on appetizers as much as I usually do, this time around we’re adding a tasty Leek and Cauliflower Soup as a starter.  For appetizers, just keep it simple by setting out some slices of a couple varieties of cheese along with rounds of salami and pepperoni.  Maybe get wild and add some mixed nuts and / or olives.  These are just to tide your guests over for a bit until the starter, so nothing extreme is required.  

Maybe serve the Leek and Cauliflower Soup in cute little coquettes with a dusting of nutritional yeast to keep it dairy free and perhaps some keto croutons for a little added crunch.  

For the main meal, we’ve got Bacon Cheddar Meatloaf or the slight variation of Personal-Size Bacon Cheddar Meatloaves.  To go along with that entrée, we’ll have a Ham Mushroom and Spaghetti Squash Casserole and some Bacon Cheddar Biscuits from Savory Tooth.  

Finally, finish things off with some Keto Pumpkin Mousse from Joy Filled Eats. 

For wine, I suggest a nice Pinot Noir.  While you can get away with something heavier with the meatloaf, a nice earthy pinot noir will work perfectly.  Lori Side Note: When I’m going for “earthy” pinot noirs, I tend to stick to either French wines or American ones made with Burgundian clonals.  

Regardless of where you are on your “into Fall” spectrum, I suggest taking some time for a quick, low-stress get together with friends before you gear up for the holiday rush.  

The Details

Number of People: 6 – 10

Serving Style: Buffet

Guest Arrival Time: 7:00 pm-ish

The Menu for A Fall Kickoff Dinner Party

Appetizers

• Assorted Cheese Slices, Salami, and Pepperoni
• Mixed Nuts
• Black Olives (or other olives of your choice)

Starter

Leek and Cauliflower Soup

Are you looking for a cozy and comforting meal that will warm you up from the inside out? Look no further than this Leek and Cauliflower Soup, the perfect blend of savory flavors that will have you coming back for seconds (and thirds!). Made with fresh ingredients, this soup is sure to be a hit with your taste buds.

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Entrée(s)

Bacon Cheddar Meatloaf

This Bacon Cheddar Meatloaf is packed with savory bacon, gooey melted cheddar cheese, and a juicy meatloaf base that will have your taste buds dancing with joy. The fact that it’s low carb is just a bonus. Try it for your next dinner party or weeknight dinner!

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Personal-Size Low Carb Bacon Cheddar Meatloaf

Filled with melty cheddar cheese and wrapped in bacon, this Personal-Size Low Carb Bacon Cheddar Meatloaf recipe is the perfect way to turn something as “simple” as meatloaf into a stylish entrée for your next dinner party or to proportion a tasty dish for your weekly meal prep.

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Sides

Ham Mushroom and Spaghetti Squash Casserole

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Ham Mushroom and Spaghetti Squash Casserole recipe! With tender spaghetti squash, savory ham, earthy mushrooms, nutritious spinach and melted cheese, this dish is a flavor explosion in every bite. Perfect for serving to guests at your next dinner party or as a make-ahead weeknight meal. Don’t wait, try this mouthwatering recipe now!

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Bacon Cheddar Low Carb Biscuits

This recipe from Savory Tooth makes a frequent appearance in our house. We make a double batch and then have them for breakfast too.

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Dessert

Wine Pairings

• Pinot Noir – Something a little bit “earthy” so look for one from France or one that uses a clonal grape