• Ina Garten just shared a graduation celebration menu that’s well-suited for any summer gathering.

• It features slow-roasted beef, veggie-packed sides and her iconic coconut cupcakes.

• One of the sides, her Roasted Cherry Tomatoes, only requires three ingredients.

The summer brings so many occasions to commemorate. Whether you’re celebrating a graduate or prepping ahead for Memorial Day and Father’s Day, Ina Garten just shared a summer menu that’s both vibrant and comforting.

On the Barefoot Contessa website, Garten curated a menu of seven recipes—one main, four sides and two desserts—that she recommends for a graduation celebration. But honestly, we think this menu is well-suited for any early summer party. Featuring an array of in-season veggies, these dishes embrace fresh and delicious flavors you’ll dream about all summer long.

Ina’s Summer Party Menu

Slow-Roasted Beef with Basil Parmesan Mayonnaise

A tender filet of beef already sounds like a gorgeous main by itself, but when paired with an herbaceous, cheesy aioli, it’s incredible. Garten’s beef tenderloin recipe takes 90 minutes to roast in the oven, but it’s mostly hands-off once the meat is seasoned. While the basil-Parmesan mayo is a light summery spin on a comforting classic, we also love roasted beef tenderloin with a cabernet-mushroom sauce for cooler weather.

Pasta, Pesto and Peas

To pair with a hearty, high-protein main, veggie-packed sides are a must. A simple pasta dish that highlights greens like spinach and peas is a crowd-pleasing choice. Cold pasta salad is another choice that you can make ahead, like our Dill-Pickle Pasta Salad with Creamy Dill Dressing or our Cucumber Pasta Salad.

Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread

We’re sensing a theme with this party menu: cozy dishes with a summery flair. A prime example is Garten’s Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread which elevates your typical cornbread with heat and color. Besides fresh peppers and scallions, this recipe prioritizes pantry staples, making it an easy side that will shine in a festive dinner spread. The spicy, cheesy combination of cheddar and jalapeño is hard to beat—we love it in our Cheesy Ground Beef & Cauliflower Casserole.

Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

If you’re looking for a way to use up your cherry tomatoes, the Barefoot Contessa’s Roasted Cherry Tomatoes is the perfect solution. With just three primary ingredients—outside of your usual salt, pepper and oil—these seasoned roasted tomatoes are bursting with flavor. While they’re great as-is, there’s so many ways to dress up cherry tomatoes. Since a lot of these recipes require oven time, a marinated salad or grilled skewers are oven-free ways to enjoy the tiny toms.

Roasted Summer Vegetables

Roasting summer vegetables like zucchini and bell peppers will pair well with any main—and it’s simple to make for a crowd. These veggies would also be delicious on the grill if you’re opting for a barbecue. Including fiber-packed veggies on the dinner spread is bound to satiate, and it adds a pop of color to the table.

Coconut Cupcakes

Garten has included these Coconut Cupcakes in her curated menus before—she says it’s one of her favorite make-ahead desserts for Easter. But the sweet nuttiness of coconut is a beloved summertime flavor, so these cupcakes are especially worth baking this season. And making them ahead of time will make dinner prep a breeze.

Related: 12 High-Protein Desserts for Summer

Outrageous Brownies

What makes Garten’s Outrageous Brownies outrageous? It could be the chopped walnuts in the mix, or the addition of instant coffee, which the cook claims to be the secret to making the chocolate flavor in desserts “pop” via her memoir. Either way, there’s nothing like a homemade brownie, and they’re quick to serve and satisfy your guests. For smaller bites, our Peanut Butter Brownie Bites are highly-rated for a reason.

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