Do you prefer get-togethers at home in comfortable clothes with family and friends over structured, formal parties? Are you more spontaneous than organized when it comes to entertaining?

Then here's just the ticket: A handy menu complete with do-ahead options for an appetizer, two entrees and an all-time favorite dessert bar to keep on hand, ready to pull from the freezer. With this warm, easy and inviting menu, you'll be ready any time for friends who may show up unexpectedly!

Turkey-Pasta Pie

Welcome Friends to a Casual Dinner Menu Shrimp-Cheese Bites  Turkey-Pasta Pie  or Pork-Onion Stroganoff  Bagged Italian salad with favorite bottled dressing* Italian bread* Linzer Torte Bars  * Recipe is not included

Top Ten Reasons to Get Together 
It seems there's a top ten list for just about everything! Well, in that same spirit, here's a list that gives you more excuses to throw that impromptu party.

1. Your grown kids moved out for the second time.
2. Your single brother is in town for a visit.
3. Your new neighbor is moving in (yeah!).
4. Your neighbor is moving away (boo).
5. Your neighbor got a promotion.
6. It's the only way you can find an audience to show off your vacation photos.
7. Your boss is hinting about promoting you.
8. You borrowed your father-in-law's ladder for three months while you painted the house.
9. To sponsor an open house for your work colleagues.
10. You just moved into your new house and want to meet the neighbors.

"Panto-Rhyme"
From the classic charades and standard board games to hip rhyming challenges, there are lots of ways to add fun activities to your at-home, casual party. Some to consider:

• Revised version of charades using news of that day.
• Board games from the past (Battleship, Operation, Twister) with odd substitutes for missing game pieces (toothpicks for Battleship pieces, tiny party favors for Operation).
• Create new lyrics to common and popular songs. For instance, you could use the tune from the Beverly Hillbillies television show to sing about a friend's promotion: "Come and listen to a story about a guy named Jay. Accounting extraordinaire at Horner, Smith and Flay." Get the idea?
• Trivia challenges--especially fun if you and your guests share a common hobby or interest such as old movies, cars or even cooking.

Hit the Road
This menu earns bonus miles for doing double duty: It's completely make ahead, as well as being transportable. The entrees and dessert make great food gifts for a friend needing comfort. Or bring these dishes to a last-minute potluck. Everyone will marvel that you pulled together something so delicious so quickly!

Preparation Guide

Up to 6 Months Ahead

• Bake and freeze Linzer Torte Bars.

Up to 2 Months Ahead

• Bake and freeze Shrimp-Cheese Bites.

• Cook and freeze Pork-Onion Stroganoff.

• Prepare Turkey-Pasta Pie, but do not bake; freeze..

The Morning Of

• Remove Linzer Torte Bars from freezer. Thaw unwrapped at room temperature.

• Remove Turkey-Pasta Pie from freezer. Heat oven to 400°. Bake covered about 2 hours or until hot in center; let stand 10 minutes.

About 1 Hour Before Serving

• Remove Pork-Onion Stroganoff from freezer. Follow recipe directions for reheating. 

30 Minutes Before Serving

• Heat Shrimp-Cheese Bites.