Summer is almost here, but that doesn't mean you have to throw your summer BBQ party and retreat to the backyard. With a little planning, your backyard can be transformed from a bucolic spot for kiddos to a grand celebration complete with a backyard bar and light entertainment. Whether it's a birthday or retirement bash, family reunions or a neighborhood get-together, your backyard will be transformed into the perfect setting for entertaining. Here's how the pros prepare for parties, from grilling the burgers to cleaning up after the party, just right.

Whether it's a kids' birthday party or a backyard BBQ with friends, the first order of business is the burger. While many kids' birthday parties will have balloons and streamers, some adults will want the classic grilled cheese burger with fresh baked potatoes and the accompanying crisp French fries. Whether you want grilled onions, grilled peppers, or grilled mushrooms, this is the recipe for the perfect side dish.

As you grill the meat, don't forget the potatoes! Filled with all of the same flavors as the burgers, freshly steamed potatoes will make the sandwich filling just as rich and tasty as the cheese. You can use them to go on top of the sandwich, on the bottom, or both. Just be sure to have enough for everyone, and serve them while they are hot so that they melt in your mouth.

For another traditional Italian summer dish, you can serve pasta as well as the grilled meats. Leftover pasta can be topped with shredded mozzarella cheese, chopped zucchini, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese. If you would rather skip the pasta, you could also have leftover chicken, turkey, or ham along with the pasta for an extra dose of protein. Make sure that if you're grilling meat that it's hot enough to stand on its own, and then top with the other ingredients.

A favorite Italian herb is chimichurri sauce, which is made from breaded meat balls and egg whites. You can use ham, veal, or lamb and marinate for up to three hours to create a delicious marinara sauce. When you're grilling the meat, be sure to turn the meat completely around so that the marinara sauce is equally applied to all sides. The chimichurri sauce goes best with fettuccini or pasta salads.

It's been said that beans are the healthiest foods on the planet. Grilled veggie burgers will definitely satisfy any veggie burger lover, but there is another type of bean that should also be discovered on your next barbecue. By now, most people know that kidney beans can be combined with just about anything to make something extra special. Did you know that kidney beans can also be used as the base for a delicious and easy to make Mexican dish? If you haven't tried grilling kidney beans with tomato paste in red sauce, you are missing out.