With restaurants on just about on every corner, it may be tempting to take dad out for a meal. However, there is something to be said about a home cooked meal. It shows thoughtfulness in what you choose to make, hard work to have it all come together, and love that you would do it all for him. Also, to be honest, home cooking can be just as good (if not better) than restaurant food!
If you are worried your gift doesn't seem like enough (or you forgot to buy him one in time), a home cooked meal can make any problems be made up for, instantly! You may not even have to get dad a gift if your meal is a winner. However, how do you get a winner of a dinner? You start with a menu where everything comes together, each dish pairing well with the next. That's a lot of work, especially when you consider the thousands, if not millions, of recipes out there.
With these 5 Father's Day menus, you'll be set in the planning department! Each of these menus are thoughtfully made and different enough from one another that your dad's tastes, whatever they are, can be satisfied.
1. Fancy steakhouse dinner
If dad likes the occasion to get a little fancy, bring the steakhouse to your own home! As an appetizer, try out a homemade charcuterie board. Buy nice cheeses, meats, crackers, nuts, and even a few raw veggies or fruits. That way, dad and guests can pick their favorite parts-satisfying their early appetite before moving on to the main course.
For the main course, put on your chef's hat and make the best steaks you can! Double check dad's steak preference (does he like medium rare? rare? well done?) beforehand so you get it just right. As a classic and easy side that pairs well with steak, make your favorite mashed potatoes. To bring a little veggie action to the plate, try making some glazed carrots and adding a bit of parsley for a fresh touch. Finally, for a sweet ending, keep the fancy theme going with either a chocolate lava cake or a crème brûlée.
- Appetizer: Charcuterie Board
- Main Course: Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Glazed Carrots
- Dessert: Chocolate Lava Cake or Crème Brûlée
2. Get out the grill
Maybe fancy is NOT dad's middle name. For a comforting classic, get out the grill and have a nice summer cookout! For a light start before the main course is done grilling, have some grilled vegetable skewers with some ranch. You can alternate bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, and onion on your skewers or go for whatever vegetables are dad's favorite.
The two sides for this meal can easily be made the night before: potato salad and pasta salad. Perfect for when you have a large family and can't do all of that cooking in just one day! Day of, cook the main event: the burgers or the hot dogs, of course. If dad happens to be vegetarian or vegan, no biggie, just have some plant-based burgers on the grill. For an easy, no-plates-needed dessert, bake dad's favorite cookie or make an assortment of a few different cookies.
- Appetizer: Grilled Veggie Skewers with Ranch
- Main Course: Hamburgers or Hot Dogs, Potato Salad, Pasta Salad
- Dessert: Dad's Favorite Cookie(s)
3. Taco 'bout all the fixings
Some people like a little of this, a little of that. Did you just picture your dad? Then this ultimate taco night might be for you. The key of this is to make a lot of things, none overly difficult, but it quickly adds up to a meal deserving of "wow!"
As an appetizer, make some queso blanco and have chips or mini bell peppers at the ready. For the main meal, it's a build your own taco bar! Have some cooked ground meat (or beans for the vegetarian/vegan dads out there), corn dip, pico de gallo, guacamole, tortillas, and cilantro lime rice. For a sweet ending, try out some flan or a second build-your-own taco bar! How so? Cook up some tortillas in butter, sugar, and cinnamon and have berries, chocolate sauce, and whipped cream at the ready.
- Appetizer: Queso Blanco With Chips/Veggies
- Main Course: Build Your Own Taco Bar
- Dessert: Flan or Build Your Own (Dessert) Taco Bar
4. Fancy any fish?
Don't forget the fish! This is another restaurant-quality meal that is sure to impress. It's also a bit less rich, perfect if dad prefers food that is light and bright. To start, serve some zucchini fritters with some cucumber yogurt sauce.
For the main course, make some almond crusted salmon with rice and a nice summer squash stir fry. The sweet ending involves a peach upside down cake, taking advantage of that juicy, sweet, and in-season fruit. As a bonus, you don't have to make any frosting!
- Appetizer: Zucchini Fritters with Cucumber Yogurt Sauce
- Main Course: Almond-Crusted Salmon, Rice, Summer Squash Stir Fry
- Dessert: Peach Upside Down Cake
5. A nice pasta dinner
What about the dads that just want a nice bowl of pasta? Don't worry, this final menu idea has kept them in mind. As a simple starter, have garlic bread at the ready.
For pasta night, try something a bit more special than spaghetti by making a nice gnocchi dish. Think of your dad's favorites-does he prefer red sauce or white? Let his preferences guide you to the perfect final result. On the side, you can have a salad for a bit of freshness.
A Father's Day meal wouldn't be complete without dessert, so why not try out some pudding or ice cream with fruit, caramel sauce, or crunchy granola available for toppings? After a pasta dinner, it's nice to have a dessert that is easy to eat and can be as large or as small as dad wants.
- Appetizer: Garlic Bread
- Main Course: Gnocchi with a Side Salad
- Dessert: Pudding or Ice Cream (Don't forget dad's favorite toppings!)
With the thinking done for you, it's time to get cooking and show dad how much you really care!