What 5e Food Will Keep Bellies and Wallets Full... And Tables and Character Sheets Clean? 

By Riley Rath

Title Image © Wizards of the Coast

DnD players already gather around the able to immerse themselves in a high fantasy adventure. It just makes sense to also gather around the table for a meal! 

Which begs the question... what should y'all eat? 

Technically the answer is: "Whatever you want!"... but this is NOT that kind of blog post; I get to put on a powdered wig and make some judgments!

The better question is: what is the BEST thing to eat while playing Dungeons and Dragons?

THAT is the focus of this blog post. And yes, it WILL be more biased than a boomer talking about the greatest music of all time. Because apart from writing DnD content, my other favorite hobby is cooking. 

That, and having strong, semi-irrational opinions...

Table of Contents

© The Café

Criteria for Choosing the Best Food for DnD Night

This list is not pure preference; I am not so pig-headed to think that whatever I believe to be the yummiest food is also the best food for DnD night. No sir... rather, there are parameters that each food selection must pass to be considered "the best." There are also preferences and criteria that are NOT being considered. 

6 Non-Negotiable Parameters

1. Can Work for Any Table: There are lot of different living rooms, spare bedrooms, FLGS, board game cafes, attics, and basements that people use to play DnD. Each of these have different sized seating, tables, and areas to hold character sheets, dice, etc. Anything that is the best food for DnD night must be able to work for the majority of the tables used by players. 

2. Not Time Consuming to Make: Lots of tables meet during weeknights. But even our weekends have stuff going on, and while once in a while a table may have a foodie that wants to devote an entire Saturday to cooking a feast, most people are way, way too busy for that. So to be the best food for dnd sessions, it has to be something one can make quickly. And this means ACTIVE cooking or prep time. 

3. Can Be Made or Prepared Ahead of Time: On that same note, it needs to be something that does not take a player away from the table to make. The game can't be paused for the cook to grill some chicken or steaks. So the food needs to be something that can be A) prepped right before people get there, B) made the day before and pulled from the fridge, or C) something that is cooking but doesn't require active attention until it's done.

4. Most People Like It: I have a DAMN good salmon recipe. But guess what? A lot of people don't like fish. So even if I THINK most of them would like it, I still cannot safely place it on the "best" list.

5. Not Messy: A lot of tables play in places with rugs and furniture, or with people balancing plates on their laps. And with players and DMs focused on the game, messy food lying around everywhere spells potential for a stain-filled disaster. Good DnD game-day food should be as "contained" as possible. That unfortunately means TACOS are NOT and option.

6. Actual Food (not junk food): This is probably where I'll lose a lot of people, because unless you are a teenager, the best food for dnd night is NOT Doritos, Mountain Dew, and pizza rolls for 5 hours straight. Don't get me wrong... I LOVE bagel bites. But I don't love it so much that I want to wreck my bowel movements for the following 24 hours. 

© Food Network

Preferences, but Not Necessary

The following are parameters that would be ideal, but if I were to make them non-negotiable, then the list of food for DnD night would be like a 1 hour game session... waaaay too short.

Finger Food: The less utensils, the better. However, finger good can often be even messier, so sometimes a fork is better than using your hands. 

Does Not Need "Sides": Food for DnD night that is great should be great on its own. Apart from some ketchup, thick dip, or hot sauce... once assembled, it shouldn't need something else, especially if that something else is a central container (can't have people constantly getting up and down). Unfortunately, this removes my FAVORITE party food: chips and salsa. 

What About Dietary Restrictions?

When making food for DnD night, you should always consider WHO is going to be at your table. If you have a vegetarian, pescetarian, and vegan, you probably shouldn't bring that brisket you smoked for 24 hours. Others may have allergies or intolerances to certain ingredients which should always be respected. 

For each "course," I have included a gluten free option as well as a vegan option. However, I am neither of those things, so my list will have a lot of animal protein. 

© Maitane Romagosa/Thrillist

What About Drinks?

First of all, this blog post is focused on food, not drinks. 

Second of all, while getting black out drunk on booze tends to ruin most sessions, there is no "best" alcohol usage for tables. Age, culture, demographic, and tolerance plays a huge role in what kinds of drinks are acceptable at the DnD table (I'll probs write a blog post about it sometime soon :) ). 

Third of all (???), everyone has a different favorite coke/pop/soda, and I don't want to get in the middle of that.  

That said... the best drink is WATER. End of discussion (I told you this post would be biased!). 

© Robinette's Apple Haus & Winery

Snacks for DnD Night

When it comes to snacks for DnD night, it's important to choose options that are not only delicious but also practical for gaming. You want snacks that won't make a mess or damage your character sheets. Some great options to consider are: 

• Veggie Platters and Hummus: This suggestion makes me sound like an old geezer, but come on, who doesn't like carrots, broccoli, and/or bell peppers with hummus? I'm not saying it's the ONLY thing everyone eats, but it sure is nice when someone brings it to the TTRPG table. 

• Nuts: Nuts provide a good source of protein and are packed with essential nutrients, including healthy fats and fiber, which help to keep you feeling full and satisfied. Some popular options include almonds, cashews, peanuts, macadamia, and Brazil nuts.

• PB&Js: Quick and easy, you can't go wrong with a classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich. A timeless favorite.

• Apple Slices and Cheddar Cheese: Most underrated finger food right here... such a satisfying mix of flavors and textures. Apples are crisp and juicy, while cheese adds a creamy and savory element. Choose your favorite variety of apple, whether it's a sweet Fuji apple or a tart Granny Smith. Slice up the apple and pair it with your preferred cheese, such as cheddar, gouda, or brie. The sweetness of the apple complements the richness of the cheese... and some peanut butter and crackers takes it to the NEXT LEVEL. 

• Popcorn: Light, crunchy, and satisfying. Whether you prefer buttery popcorn, cheesy popcorn, or a mix of sweet and savory flavors, there's a popcorn option for everyone.

• Yogurt Parfait: Healthy, balanced, sweet, and refreshing! Layer yogurt with fresh fruits and granola for a satisfying treat. To make a yogurt parfait, start with a base of your favorite yogurt flavor. Layer the yogurt with fresh fruits like blueberries, sliced bananas, or diced mango. You can also add a sprinkle of granola or crushed nuts from some crunch.

• Candy: Anything from gummies to jolly ranchers to See's Candies Scotch Mallows.

• Good Bread and Butter: Sometimes you just need to go back to the basics: good bread and butter. Choose a high-quality bread, such as a crusty baguette or a soft whole grain loaf, and spread as much warm butter on it as you want. It sounds almost silly and infantile, but I have never seen players so excited as when I picked up some salted butter and a loaf from a local artisan bakery. 

• Protein Bars: No matter what people bring or make, you gotta get some protein. Bringing a box of bars is never a bad idea. However... this idea might be better for people to bring themselves, just cuz everyone has their preferred protein bar (I mean, how can they not when there are so freakin' many now). 

© Real Housemoms

Main Meals That Won't Interrupt the Game

Snacks are a good start, and sufficient for many groups that meet after dinner for 2-3 hours. But what about 4, 5, or 6 hour sessions on a weekend? In that case, raw carrots and popcorn ain't gonna cut it. You are going to need a real meal, and real meals come with recipes. 

Chicken Pot Pie

This is my personal favorite food for DnD night. In the fall and winter, it is SO DAMN GOOD. And unlike lasagna, it isn't a ton of extra work (lasagna is just "more work pasta"). It provides a good balance of protein, vegetables, and carbohydrates, plus all the buttery, creamy, chicken-y goodness of a pot pie is VERY filling. A little goes a long way and it FEELS medieval, so bonus points for adding to immersion. 

The more flaky the crust, the better, so here is a recipe that is double crusted, created by non other that America's Test Kitchen (the people Binging with Babish gets, like, 60% of his recipes from).

© Adam Ragusea

Soup/Stew

This technically breaks the "no messy" rule... but it so perfectly matches every other requirement that I had to include it. Just make a homemade soup 30min before people arrive. Your favorite soup. Don't care which one. 

Stews take longer to simmer and tend to be more work, but if your party is in a tavern and you want to make Mutton Stew, by all means! And if you make your own bone chicken broth, then your DM should definitely reward you with at least a single inspiration die, if not a +1 to your lowest ability score. 

If you want inspiration, here is a super easy, healthy, sustainable, and delicious chicken noodle soup by Adam Ragusea (who, in my opinion, is the best YT food content creator). Just have someone bring a big loaf of bread to pair. 

© Joshua Weissman

Lasagna

In my opinion, this breaks one of the non-negotiable rules (it takes FOREVER to make), but lasagna is a fan favorite, and it kinda finds a loophole in this whole system: lasagna can be made weeks in advance when you have time, frozen, and then popped in the oven whenever you need it... no assembly required. It also has versatility; it can be made traditionally with meat or vegetarian. 

And while I never get too excited about it, I know many people that FREAK OUT for lasagna. It's the definition of a cozy, home cooked meal, which fits perfectly with the familial nature of a DnD party. Looooots of lasagna recipes out there, but Joshua Weissman got it down to $1 per slice of lasagna (not adjusted for inflation...), and that seems perfect for a crew of hungry dungeon delvers. 

© Beard & Bonnet

Vegan Taquitos

I promised a vegan option, and here it is. I have made these for years, and with quac they are pretty tasty. More labor intensive, but unless you're eating a salad, I have found vegan food to always be more work. Just make sure you make at least 2x more than you think you need to make... people will cleave through these like a Barbarian through goblins. 

© Meggan Hill/Cullinary Hill

Crockpot Meatballs

I had to get the crockpot on here a second time, and after reading a bunch of people mention meatballs, I had to throw it on here. If you make the meatballs, this becomes a lot more labor intensive, but you can get them from the butcher at a bunch of grocery stores. As an added bonus, players can eat them with toothpicks, gaining that "finger food" preference. 

But it's the SAUCE that makes these things stand out. Babish made a great video where he explained that if you just take a sweet jam and mix it with a savory sauce, then dump it in a crockpot, it will turn out pretty delicious. 

© Munchies

Frozen Pizza

I think people would search for my IP address, track me down, and break me on the wheel if I didn't include this food option for dnd night. And don't worry... I WOULDN'T DARE. Frozen pizza has, is, and always will be a staple of any traditional in-person DnD campaign. When all else fails, the random pizza stuck in the back of the freezer is the Deus Ex Machina, delivering your table from hunger like Pelor himself from a horde of gnolls. 

Not gonna tell you the best frozen pizza... I'm sure you have your favorite. But Munches made a great video on how you can easily dress up a frozen pizza to make it way, way tastier. But if any recipe says "caramelized onions take 5 minutes"... DON'T BELIEVE THEM. They take 20min minimum. 

© Epicurious

Rice and Beans

Don't laugh. This is a real suggestion. It meets all the criteria and is underrated AF. 

Have you ever had, like, REALLY good beans? Cooked in bacon fat, with onions and garlic and spices? Mixed with fluffy white rice? I'll spoil it for you: IT'S FREAKING DELICIOUS. It's also hella cheap AND together they combine to make a complete protein. And you can top it with whatever cheese and veggies and salsas you want. Whether you prefer black beans, pinto beans, or kidney beans, they all pair well with rice to create a satisfying and filling meal.

I do not necessarily suggest you make this particular recipe, but it does demonstrate how amazing simple rice and beans can be. 

Sandwich Bar

This does not need much elaboration. Have everyone pitch in with bread, deli and cured meats, toppings, and just laaaaay it out. And when people want seconds, they can easily go up and make their own during a combat encounter. Not cooked, so better in the summer, and the more weird mustards and pickled veggies and aiolies the host has, the better. It's the perfect food for dnd night.

© The Endless Meal

Honorable Mentions

These are some dishes that I feel would be good, but do not quite meet the non-negotiables. 

• Cheetos: They FEEL like they belong, but no one wants Cheeto dust all over their chairs, floor, table, minis, map, character sheet... you see what I mean? Otherwise they would be the perfect snack for DnD night.
• Tacos: They are SO GOOD... but unless you are doing "white people taco night," they are very labor intensive and messy.
• Quesadillas: Solves all the taco problems, and has vegetarian options, but unless you have a 3' x 6' industrial griddle, you will have to make them one at a time.
• Slow Cooker Meat: Whether it be Mississippi Pot Roast or Pulled Pork, the pros and cons remain the same. Pros: a lot of meat at minimal effort. Cons: need sauce, buns, slaw, and is messy, messy, messy. 
• Hot Dogs and/or Brats: One of my favorite simple, large-crowd meals. Especially when you cut them with this spiral method, and ESPECIALLY when you add these Hawaiian toppings. Unfortunately, they are a million times better on a grill, which means you can't really make them ahead of time. 

© Sam Merritt/Sugar Spun Run

Great DnD Game Night Desserts

Cookies... Brownies... Cupcakes... the holy trinity of tabletop game desserts. Literally can't go wrong with these. Cookies are the first among equals here, and for one simple reason: most people use THEIR cookie recipe, often from when they grew up or from some Austrian roommate when they studied abroad. And getting to try everyone's recipes is another chance to learn a little bit about their backstory... which makes it even better food for dnd night!

That said, if you want to blow the socks off folks, here are some recipes to try: 

Chocolate Chip Cookie: Lots of good chocolate chip cookies out there. These big boys are my favorite at the moment. That is all... I am not trying to pick a fight with anyone. 

Ghiradelli Brownies: You know 'em. You love 'em. And with good reason: they are the best boxed brownies out there. But shortly after college, I was determined to find a better from-scratch brownie recipe. I knew there just HAD to be one. I did a blind taste test shortly after college and eventually found the winner... dark chocolate homemade brownies... FROM GHIRADELLI'S OWN SITE. Just like a Nat 1... even when they lose, they win. 

Best Chocolate Cupcakes with Vanilla Frosting: This is by far my weirdest suggestion, but trust me, both these recipes exceeded expectations. Some dude bought the domain "BestMoistChocolateCakeRecipe" JUST FOR THIS RECIPE... which is crazy. And paired with this vanilla buttecream with a secret ingredient, they are mind blowing. 

© Alida Ryder/Breakfast Board

The Best Food for DnD Sessions: BREAKFAST

(Steps up on his soap box and speaks in a loud, raspy, Scottish accent)

My fellow dungeon masters and murder hobos... 

This... this is THE way... 

The great way... the best way... to feed your DnD party. 

Breakfast food in unequivocally the best food for DnD night. 

Morning, noon, or night... it is KING. 

It's delicious, cheap, easy, versatile. 

I already hinted at this with "Yogurt Parfait" as a snack, but the possibilities only start there: 

• For drinks, you have coffee, juice, tea, smoothies, mimosas...
• For snacks you have whatever fruit is in season.
• For meals you have scrambled eggs, waffles, potatoes, french toast, bagels and lox, oatmeal, bacon, pancakes, and sausage. And all that can be in a plate or a hash, casserole, sandwich, or burrito... and all with as much cheese as you want.
• For desserts you have muffins, cinnamon rolls, donuts, scones, turnovers, danishes, etc. ... 

Fiber, carbs, protein, vitamins and minerals... breakfast food has it all. 

Oh... what's that? You object that all this takes too much time and can't be cooked ahead of time? BOOM: here's a make-ahead breakfast pan that forms the perfect breakfast sandwich. And if THAT wasn't enough, here are some hollowed out sausage egg boats... ideal food for dnd night.

Is this cheating by choosing a whole cuisine? Perhaps. But what is worse: stretching a meal into a dish, or robbing your DnD party of the joy that exceeds all culinary joys? 

(Steps off soap box). 

Or... Just Do Takeout

Aaaaaaalll that said... you know what always works? Takeout. It's a bit expensive these days, but my god does it solve just about all these problems. Everyone can order what they want and how much they want, and you can even just have someone pick it all up from the same place on the way over. Easy peazy. 

By Riley Rath - Freelance DnD Copywriter