This week we just keep swimming with a Finding Nemo Dinner and a Movie night. I just love hosting these meals because it brings a little extra layer of fun to rewatching all of these classics. It’s not just about watching a movie we’ve seen a million times; it’s about creating an immersive experience where the underwater world comes to life on your dinner table. Our Finding Nemo night features ocean-inspired dishes that are fun, flavorful, and sure to make a splash with your family and friends.
Ready to swim into this unforgettable Disney dinner? Let’s explore the menu that’ll have you quoting Dory’s famous line, “Just keep swimming,” as you enjoy every bite.
About that Meal…
For our Finding Nemo Dinner and a Movie night, the menu was inspired by the vibrant and underwater scenes from under the sea.
Fish Are Friends Fishbowl Cocktail (and Mocktail) This ocean colored cocktail is almost too fun to drink…alamost! The vibrant blue base mimics the sea, while floating gummy fish add a super fun sea touch. For non-drinkers or younger guests, the mocktail version offers the same visual delight without the alcohol, making it a perfect fit for all ages.
Shark-uterie Board Inspired by Bruce and his shark friends, our Shark-uterie board is a sea-themed take on a classic charcuterie. With creamy brie, juicy blueberries, salty salami, cheese and crisp cucumber slices, this board offers a variety of textures and flavors that are sure to whet your appetite for the main course.
Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells The main course features pasta shells stuffed with a creamy blend of spinach and ricotta, a nod to the ocean’s natural forms. Each bite is a comforting, flavorful reminder of Marlin and Dory’s adventure through the deep blue sea.
Just Keep Swimming Rice Krispy Treats We ended the night with these sweet and cheerful treats. Rice Krispy squares were dipped in blue chocolate and decorated with a goldfish cracker and edible pearls to resemble bubbles. Who doesn’t love a good rice crispy treat? These were a delight.
Special Techniques or Ingredients
When we were talking about doing this movie – I thought I would do a fancy seafood dish, or some homemade fish sticks – but I ultimately decided that fish are friends, not food - so keeping with the Finding Nemo theme, we stayed true to the message of “Fish are friends, not food!” This entire menu is seafood-free, so no fish were harmed in the making of this meal. Instead, I used ocean-inspired ingredients and fun techniques to bring each dish to life.
For the Just Keep Swimming Rice Krispy Treats, adding a goldfish and edible pearls gave the illusion of a fish swimming in bubbly waters. And for the Shark-uterie Board - you know we love a good themed charcuterie board around here.
These small details and thoughtful choices helped us capture the spirit of Finding Nemo in each dish, adding an extra layer of fun to our under-the-sea adventure.
Challenges and Fun Moments
Every themed dinner comes with its share of surprises, and our Finding Nemo Dinner and a Movie night was no different. The biggest challenge was actually the cocktail. Making sure our Fish Are Friends Fishbowl Cocktails had just the right balance of color and taste without the gummy fish sinking straight to the bottom! After a few trials (and some laughter), we found the perfect solution to keep them floating and visible.
The blue chocolate also gave me a heck of a time this time around while I was making the Just Keep Swimming Rice Krispy Treats. Blue chocolate can be unpredictable, and we had a few that looked more like abstract art than a smooth ocean scene. But hey - they came out pretty cute in the end.
Just Keep Cooking
Ready to host your own Finding Nemo Dinner and a Movie night and create unforgettable memories? Dive deeper into this magical experience by downloading my Just Keep Cooking digital cookbook. It’s packed 12 planned for you Dinner and a Movie nights with detailed recipes, themed menus, and everything you need to make your Disney date nights truly special.
Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram @thefairytalefoodie for more creative Disney dinner ideas, behind-the-scenes content, and inspiration for your next movie night. Join our community of Disney-loving foodies and keep the magic going!
