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Top Graduation Party Sides for Every Celebration

Graduation Party Sides Platter


  • Author: Samantha Jones
  • Total Time: 165
  • Yield: Serves 20 people 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

A vibrant, crowd-pleasing collection of side dishes perfect for a graduation celebration. It includes a balance of cold salads, warm baked beans, and fresh fruit to satisfy all guests.


Ingredients

Scale

12 oz rotini or fusilli pasta
2 bell peppers, diced
1 cup green olives
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tsp dried oregano
6 medium Yukon Gold potatoes
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp salt
8 cups shredded cabbage
1 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp black pepper
4 16-oz cans navy beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup molasses
2 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 onion, finely chopped
5 cups mixed fresh fruits (melon, berries, papaya)
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
2 lb oven-baked tortilla chips (gluten-free if needed)


Instructions

Boil the pasta for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Toss with bell peppers, olives, olive oil, red wine vinegar, and oregano. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Wash and halve the potatoes. Boil in salted water until tender (15-20 minutes). Drain and toss with smoked paprika and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, combine shredded cabbage with mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, and black pepper to make coleslaw. Chill until serving.
In a large saucepan, mix navy beans, brown sugar, molasses, Dijon mustard, and chopped onion. Simmer over medium heat for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens. Season with salt and vinegar as needed.
Chop the mixed fruits and combine with fresh mint in a bowl. Chill until ready to serve.
Keep the baked beans and potatoes warm in a chafing dish or oven. Arrange all sides on large serving platters, and serve fresh and cold salads alongside the warm dishes.

Notes

These sides can be prepped hours in advance. Store cold salads in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Use chafing dishes or a warming oven to keep baked beans and potatoes hot during the event.
For added crunch, serve the coleslaw alongside the chips.
For dietary needs, select gluten-free tortilla chips if required.

  • Prep Time: 120
  • Cook Time: 45
  • Category: Lunch
  • Method: Cooking & Chilling
  • Cuisine: American/Global Fusion

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 portion
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 14g
  • Sodium: 450mg
  • Fat: 15g
  • Saturated Fat: 6g
  • Carbohydrates: 50g
  • Fiber: 7g
  • Protein: 10g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg