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3 Course Meal Ideas

A collage showing a variety of main dishes.

Check out some of my easy 3 Course Meal Ideas I love to use for entertaining! There are a variety of meals that each include an appetizer, main course, sides, and dessert! These combinations are sure to impress any guest!

A collage showing a variety of main dishes.

Creamy Lemon Chicken Piccata

  • Starter: Caprese Salad or Balsamic Bread Dip
  • Side: Roasted Vegetables
  • Dessert: Tiramisu or Pana Cotta
A collage showing a three course meal with Lemon Piccata as the main dish.

Braised Short Ribs

  • Starter: Classic Wedge Salad
  • Side: Mashed Potatoes, Asparagus
  • Dessert: Berry Cake or Banana Pudding
A collage showing a three course meal with Braised Short Ribs as the main dish.

Cedar Plank Salmon

  • Starter: Roasted Butternut Squash Salad
  • Side: Rice Pilaf, Grilled Asparagus
  • Dessert: Blackberry Cobbler or Apple Cobbler
A collage showing a three course meal with Cedar Plank Salmon as the main dish.

Chicken Marsala

  • Starter: French Onion Soup or Mixed Green Salad with Berries
  • Side: Haricots Verts (French Green Beans), Artisan No Knead Bread
  • Dessert: Baked Apples or Crème Brûlée
A collage showing a three course meal with Chicken Marsala as the main dish.

Carne Asada Tacos

  • Starter: Chips and Salsa and Guacamole
  • Side: Mexican Rice, Refried Beans or Charro Beans, , Elote, Horchata to drink if you’re feeling extra
  • Dessert: Tres Leches Cake or Sopaipillas
A collage showing a three course meal with Carne Asada Tacos as the main dish.

Swedish Meatballs

  • Starter: Apple Pecan Salad, Tomato Cucumber Salad, or Cucumber Onion Salad
  • Side: French Green Beans or Roasted Vegetables
  • Dessert: Apple Cake or Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie
A collage showing a three course meal with Swedish Meatballs as the main dish.

Panang Curry

  • Starter: Fresh Spring Rolls or Thai Lettuce Wraps
  • Side: Steamed Rice or Drunken Noodles
  • Dessert: Peach or Mango Frozen Yogurt
A collage showing a three course meal with Panang Curry as the main dish.

Black Bean Burgers or Kabobs

  • Starter: Artichoke Dip or Veggie Platter
  • Side: Fries, Corn Salad, Fruit Salad
  • Dessert: Key Lime Pie or Apple Crisp
A collage showing a three course meal with Black Bean Burgers as the main dish.

BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches

  • Starter: Queso Dip, Bacon Wrapped Dates or Bean Dip
  • Side: Coleslaw, Baked Beans or Potato Salad
  • Dessert: Chocolate Brownies, Pretzel Salad, or Strawberry Shortcake
A collage showing a three course meal with BBQ Pork Sandwiches as the main dish.

Slow Cooker Ribs

  • Starter: Deviled Eggs or Loaded Potato Skins
  • Side: Macaroni Salad, Baked Beans, and Skillet Cornbread
  • Dessert: Oatmeal Cookie Bars or Texas Sheet Cake.
A collage showing a three course meal with Slow Cooker Ribs as the main dish.

Spanish Paella

  • Starter: Tortillas de Patatas
  • Side: Artisan Bread
  • Dessert: Torrijas or Flan
A collage showing a three course meal with Spanish Paella as the main dish.

Authentic New Orleans Gumbo

  • Starter: Wedge Salad, Deviled Eggs, or Hush Puppies
  • Side: Steamed Rice, Buttermilk Cornbread, Okra, or Corn on the Cob
  • Dessert: Chocolate Mousse Cake or Apple Pie
A collage showing a three course meal with Gumbo as the main dish.

Walking Tacos or Taco Salad

  • Starter: Fresh Fruit Salad, chips and salsa or guacamole
  • Side: Corn Salad, or Soup
  • Dessert: Arroz con Leche Brown Rice Pudding, or Tres Leches Cake
A collage showing a three course meal with Taco Salad as the main dish.

Cottage Pie or Chicken Pot Pie

  • Starter: Brussels Spout Salad , Apple Pecan Salad or Citrus Fruit Salad
  • Side: Shredded Brussels Sprouts, Roasted asparagus, curdite, homemade applesauce
  • Dessert: Homemade Pudding or Caramel Apple Dip with apple slices.
A collage showing a three course meal with Chicken Pot Pie as the main dish.
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