29 Budget-Friendly Recipes for Your New Year’s Eve Party

We love to make meals into celebrations, and antipasto always kicks off the party for Italian dinners. This one is almost too pretty to eat, especially when sprinkled with pimientos, fresh basil and parsley. —Patricia Harmon, Baden, Pennsylvania

Besides being tasty, these little tomato poppers are extra awesome because you can make them ahead of time. At parties, I often triple the recipe because they disappear fast. —Christi Martin, Elko, Nevada

The kids will get a kick out of pulling off gooey pieces of this delectable monkey bread. It's hard to resist the caramel-coated treat. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Salty and sweet, these candies are the perfect little snack. Form a kitchen assembly line with your kids, and the making becomes just as fun as the eating. —Julie Wemhoff, Angola, Indiana

Golden brown and flaky, these bite-sized puff pastries with creamy Brie and sweet cherry preserves could easily double as a scrumptious dessert. —Marilyn McSween, Mentor, Ohio

Trade in the usual veggie party platter for these fun kabobs. I often make it for my family to snack on, and it's a great recipe for the kids to help make. —Christine Mitchell, Glendora, California

In the summertime, I love to make this zippy salsa with fresh tomatoes from my garden instead of the canned. I even have a special pan for roasting the peppers. —Roger Stenman, Batavia, Illinois

Go ahead and help yourself to these peppery, sauced-up meatballs. Ground turkey moves them to the lighter side. —Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas

With its medley of herbs and tomatoes, this rustic bread will liven up any occasion, whether it’s a family dinner or a game-day get-together. It never lasts long! —Janet Miller, Indianapolis, Indiana

This bread is absolutely delicious. My mother’s friend brought it to a party at work, and after one bite, Mom knew she had to have the recipe. With constant nagging, she eventually got it! Simple and fast, this mouthwatering loaf is a hit with everybody and at every kind of function. —Amy McIlvain, Wilmington, Delaware

This recipe is so delicious and is sure to become a favorite of your family. The pecans make them so rich.—Lee B. Roberts, Racine, Wisconsin

Your guests are in for a sweet surprise when they try this unusual cheese ball…it tastes just like cookie dough! Rolled in chopped pecans, the chip-studded spread is wonderful on regular or chocolate graham crackers. I especially like it because it can be assembled in a wink. —Kelly Glascock, Syracuse, Missouri

This rich, tempting, peanut butter brownie trifle feeds a crowd and features the ever-popular combination of chocolate and peanut butter. Try this dessert for your next get-together. —Nancy Foust, Stoneboro, Pennsylvania

Of all the appetizers I serve, this tempting cheese spread is the most popular. It has the right combo of sweet and savory flavors our kids love. The warm topping makes it a standout! —Lee Ann Miller, Millersburg, Ohio

My Aunt Mary started making this recipe years ago, and each time we visited her she would have a batch ready for us. The use of cayenne adds an unexpected zing to the savory combo of rosemary and walnuts. When you need a good housewarming or hostess gift, double the batch and save one for yourself. —Renee Ciancio, New Bern, North Carolina

Fans of bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches will fall for this creamy BLT dip. It's easy to transport to different functions and always draws recipe requests. —Emalee Payne, Eau Claire, Wisconsin

I often serve this refreshing cranberry beverage at Christmastime, but it's a great choice for any special occasion. Add a few cranberries to each glass for extra flair. —Kay Curtis, Guthrie, Oklahoma

I always come home with an empty container when I bring this dish to a party. It can be made ahead to free up time later. I serve it with pretty frilled toothpicks for a festive look. —Peggy Cairo, Kenosha, Wisconsin

These easy shrimp look impressive on a buffet table and taste even better! The zesty sauce has a wonderful spicy citrus flavor. I especially like this recipe because I can prepare it ahead of time. —Mary Jane Guest, Alamosa, Colorado

There's no last-minute rush before the party when you slowly simmer this punch. It has all the tantalizing flavors of fall. —Alpha Wilson, Roswell, New Mexico

When we offer this cream-cheesy salsa of fresh cranberries, cilantro and a little jalapeno kick, everyone hovers around the serving dish until it’s scraped clean. —Shelly Pattison, Lubbock, Texas

You won't believe something this easy could taste so fantastic! Crunchy outside, gooey cheese inside, these mozzarella sticks are a treat all ages will love. Kids could help wrap them, too. —Shirley Warren, Thiensville, Wisconsin

For a change from the usual toasted tomato appetizer, try this baked crostini recipe. If you like, slice the baguette at an angle instead of making a straight cut. —Leondre Hermann, Stuart, Florida

This is a light, tasty beverage to serve with spoons so everyone can enjoy the fresh berries once the sangria is gone. — Linda Cifuentes, Mahomet, Illinois

I love this recipe because you can serve it warm or cold. I usually make these stuffed potatoes ahead and serve them chilled with a tzatziki sauce. —Dee Guelcher, Acworth, Georgia

A trip to Spain introduced me to its culinary treasures, like Manchego cheese and sherry. This appetizer always impresses folks who’ve never tasted roasted grapes. They're amazing. —Janice Elder, Charlotte, North Carolina

I’ve shared this recipe with many friends. It never wears out its welcome and is so easy to make. It’s also delicious warm. —Charles Piatt, Little Rock, Akansas

Eat these roasted veggies with a crunchy baguette or a couple of cheeses. You can also double, or triple, the amounts and have leftovers to toss with spaghetti the next day. —Anndrea Bailey, Huntington Beach, California

Love artichoke dip? This recipe gives you the dip and dippers together in one appetizer. My friends can’t get enough of the yummy baked bread cups and creamy filling. —Nikkole Vanyo, West Fargo, North Dakota