6 entertaining hacks: How to rock your next hosting gig

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Go family-style

No one said that hosting a dinner at your place meant having to cook up an intricate three-course, gourmet meal. Make it easier on yourself by preparing family-style dishes, such as pasta, rice or vegetable bakes, or make a stew in your slow-cooker. Pasta dishes are also easy to make in bulk. If you really feel the need to fancy things up, you can do a juicy oven roast with a simple potato side or rice pilaf. Throw together a nice salad to get some greens in, and find a no-fuss bake-ahead dessert recipe that you can simply warm up in the oven during dinner and serve at the end.

Be sure to check with your guests about dietary needs. If some are gluten-free, prepare a second smaller main that they can eat. Or if you have vegetarians, make half of the recipe without meat. And of course, if someone is allergic to nuts, don't make a dessert with cashews and pistachios. Go neutral with a cheesecake or fruit tart.