what to feed a big crowd

What is the best food to make for a crowd?

• Build-Your-Own Burrito Bar
• Breakfast Burrito Buffet (great any time of the day!)
• Nacho or Taco Bar ( This meaty cheese dip recipe is our favorite! ...
• Baked Potato Bar ( Bake potatoes in a crock pot or large roaster to make it easy. ...

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How can I feed a crowd cheaply?

How can I feed a crowd cheaply? Here are some great cheap food ideas for lunch and dinner parties.. Pasta Bar. A pasta bar is one of my favorite things to serve at parties. ...

Do you need to feed a large crowd?

You can avoid this by using the proper techniques to determine the food quantities for a large event. You will then be able to calculate how much food you need for the appetizers, main entree, side dishes and dessert. Get an almost accurate number of how many people you will be feeding.

What is a good recipe for a crowd?

60 Summer Potluck Recipes to Feed a Crowd

• Pina Colada Icebox Cake. This icebox cake has all of the flavors of a pina colada. ...
• Cran-Orange Couscous Salad. ...
• Honey Mustard Red Potato Salad. ...
• Frozen Peanut Butter and Chocolate Terrine. ...
• Spiced Pulled Pork Sandwiches. ...
• Zucchini Panzanella Salad. ...
• Creamy Layered Blueberry Ice Pops. ...
• S'mores Crispy Bars. ...
• Bacon Cheeseburger Slider Bake. ...
• Pork and Beef Barbecue. ...

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What is the cheapest food to feed a crowd?

Having a meat as your main protein or entrée can often be costly. Remember, beans and potatoes are the cheapest foods on the planet, so make use of them.

How do you feed a large group cheaply?

Feed a Large Group for CheapGo vegetarian. Not only is it usually cheaper to skip the meat, but you also can make just one meal that will include vegetarians and meat-eaters alike, which makes your life easier.Grains are your friend. ... Legumes for the win. ... Don't make meat the main event. ... Use cheaper cuts.

What to buy to feed a lot of people?

Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches.Hearty Baked Penne Pasta.Tasty Taco Bar.Crockpot Breakfast Casserole with Bacon and Gruyere.Killer Carnitas.Chicken Spaghetti.Easy Ham and Cheese Sliders.Slow Cooker Chicken and Cheese Taquitos.More items...•

What do you feed a crowd of 100?

cooking for a crowd recipe finderMacaroni and Cheese for a Crowd. If you need to serve a big group this recipe is ideal! ... Macaroni & Cheese For 100. ... Meatloaf for 50 (or more) ... Spanish Rice For A Crowd.Baked Ziti For 20. ... Scalloped Potatoes For A Crowd. ... Italian-Style Pasta Salad for 100. ... Sloppy Joes for 100.More items...

What do you feed a crowd of 20?

Easy Meals for 20 PeopleFrench Bread Pizzas.Meatball Sliders.Sausage Cream Cheese Braid.Chicken Tetrazzini for 20.Sheet Pan Pancakes.Paula Deen Lasagna for 20.Chicken Quesadillas for a Crowd.Homemade Baked Macaroni and Cheese.More items...•

What is the easiest way to feed a crowd?

13 Easy To Make Recipes To Feed A CrowdAmbrosia Salad.Cranberry Pecan Slaw.Out Of This World Baked Spaghetti.Grilled Pork Tenderloin.Creamy Chicken Casserole.Crock Pot Creamed Corn.Southern Style Green Beans.Banana Pudding Trifle.More items...

How do you feed 60 people?

Most experts agree that for a party of 60 guests you should provide each guest with at least 1 lb. of food. This is a good rule of thumb as some guests will only nibble as others will take much more than 1 lb. You should also take beverages into account--approximately two beverages per person, or 120 beverages.

What is the cheapest food to make?

Meals to Make When You Have No Money1.) Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. This one's a bit obvious, but PB&J is a classic staple and a REALLY simple meal. ... 2.) Pasta and jarred sauce. ... 3.) Bean and cheese burritos. ... 4.) Pancakes/waffles. ... 5.) Grilled cheese sandwiches. ... 6.) Chili cheese dogs. ... 7.) Sloppy Joes. ... 8.) Goulash.More items...•

How much food do I need for 150 guests?

For example, you have $800 to feed 150 people. Subtract $40.00 for emergencies and divide 760.00 by 150. The result is about $5.00 per person. This is where you start to plan the menu and estimate food quantities and costs.

What do you feed a work crew?

Packs of snack crackers, chips, cookies, and nuts are fun, and they are easy for crew members to stash in their pockets in grab-and-go settings. Here again, options are your friend. Look for large variety packs of chips so your people can choose the kind they like best.

Tips for Feeding a Large Crowd

Do as much food prep ahead of time as possible. Here are my best tips about working ahead before company arrives.

Meals to Feed to a Large Crowd

Setting up a buffet in which people line up and fix their plate according to their preference is the easiest all the way around. This also ensures that people with food allergies or those who are picky can fill their plate the way they need and like.

How about casseroles that are easy to make in bulk to feed to a large crowd?

After all, if you’re going to make one, you might as well make…more than one. Each of these feeds 8-12, so double or quadruple accordingly!

Easy Meat Dishes that are Great to Feed to a Crowd

You’ve got to love how the word “Simple” is in each of these. These recipes each take just a few minutes of prep!

Soups and Stews That Are Great to Feed a Large Crowd

Make a big pot or two of these. Serve with fresh fruits and veggies, maybe bread, muffins, or corn chips. So easy and good!

Desserts that are Great to Feed to a Large Crowd

I typically choose to make cookies into bars when I am feeding a crowd. This cuts down on my time investment!

Buffalo Chicken Lasagna

This recipe was inspired by my daughter’s favorite food—Buffalo wings! It tastes as if it came from a restaurant. —Melissa Millwood, Lyman, South Carolina

Slow-Cooked Chunky Chili

Pork sausage, ground beef and plenty of beans make this chili a marvelous meal. I keep serving-size containers of it in my freezer at all times so I can quickly warm up bowls on busy days. —Margie Shaw, Greenbrier, Arkansas

Double-Duty Layered Enchilada Casserole

Here's a heap of cozy comfort. The Taste of Home Test Kitchen took my recipe for chili without beans and turned it into a scrumptious enchilada casserole. —Molly Butt, Granville, Ohio

Meaty Arugula Pizzas

When I was growing up, my mom always made homemade pizza every Friday night. We'd watch a movie as a family or have friends over, too. Now that I'm married, I carry on the pizza tradition. —Morgan Harvey, Longview, Washington

Mini Barbecue Meat Loaves

I gave classic meat loaf a tasty twist by adding barbecue sauce. My kids usually get bored with beef entrees, but they keep asking for this dish. It's become a dinner staple at my house. —Vicki Smith, Okeechobee, Florida

Green Chile Beef Burritos

Recipes that are leaner in fat and calories—like this one for beef burritos—helped me lose 30 pounds! The meat is so tender and delicious. —Shirley Davidson, Thornton, Colorado

Slow-Cooked Pizza Casserole

A friend from church gave me the recipe for this satisfying slow-cooked casserole. It's always one of the first dishes emptied at potlucks, and it can easily be adapted to personal tastes. —Julie Sterchi, Campbellsville, Kentucky

How to take a classic crowd pleaser from good to great?

How do you take a classic crowd-pleaser from good to great? Simple: Add bacon and a sprinkle of fresh dill. Double this recipe and serve on small plates for a smoky starter that will disappear fast!

How many pinwheels are enough for dinner?

Guests will be app-happy with these crunchy and fragrant hors d'oeuvres that look elegant but are surprisingly simple to roll out. Larger than they look, one to two pinwheels should be enough to stave off hunger until dinnertime.

How many drinks are there in a Kentucky Derby cocktail?

Whether you're throwing a Kentucky Derby party or are simply a fan of the tasty cocktail, this recipe makes 16 drinks to ensure everyone has a glass in their hand.

At Least 6 Servings

This smoky, spicy New Orleans classic is actually remarkably simple to make for such a complex-tasting dish: It takes only about half an hour to sauté all the meat and vegetables, after which you'll add the rest of the ingredients and simply...let it cook.

At Least 8 Servings

Vinegary and slightly sweet pulled pork inside of lightly toasted, soft buns. Get the recipe » [Photograph: J. Kenji López-Alt]. J. Kenji López-Alt

At Least 10 Servings

Not to be outdone by their Alsatian neighbors to the northwest, Italians have a meaty feast of their own: bollito misto.

What to do with a group of people?

Here is another SUPER easy meal idea for groups of people: Chicken Parmesan Sliders. Just put a few ingredients into the crockpot and you’ll have one of your favorite meals for a busy night. Making them into sandwiches is a great way to stretch the chicken mix and feed more people.

Can you make meat ahead of time?

While you can make the meat ahead of time, the sandwiches will need to be eaten soon after they are assembled. Keep that in mind as you plan! If you want to use it as a lunch for groups, just make the meat the day before and rewarm it before assembling the sandwiches the next day.

Is the One Pot Wonder vegetarian?

This one-pot wonder is packed with flavor, but is also vegetarian! This winning combination of ingredients and flavors is sure to impress your family and friends. Just might win the award for the easiest (yet still super tasty) recipe on our blog.

How to Feed a Crowd Without Ordering Pizza

For me, when I’m planning out how to feed a large group of people I have two priorities: 1) keep it simple and 2) stay within budget.

Get Help

Let’s be honest, though, even when you keep the meal simple and the budget in check, hosting a large group of people is still a lot of work. So I would strongly encourage you to get help when you’re trying to feed a large group of people. Here are some ways you can get help.

What to Feed a Large Group

Now that I’ve share some tricks and tips for how to keep it simple, save money, and get help, I wanted to also share some ideas of what to feed a large crowd.

Beans or Legumes

Brazilian-Style Power Bowls: Prepare the components and let everyone build their own bowl.

Casseroles

Fiesta Casserole with Cheddar Cornbread Crust: Serve this crowd-pleaser with a big salad on the side or extra veggies, grated cheese, and salsa to use as toppings.

Soups or Stews

Classic Gazpacho with Diced Avocado (Cold Vegetable Soup): This summer classic can be made ahead of time and pull out of the fridge whenever people are ready to eat. Serve it with crusty bread and some cheese and everyone will be happy!

Fontina Asparagus Tart

This lemony tart is loaded with fontina cheese and fresh asparagus. It’s a snap to make but looks really impressive. Be advised…your guests will be vying for the last tasty slice. —Heidi Meek, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Fruit Charcuterie Board

Who says cheese and sausage get to have all the fun? Make this fruit charcuterie board a party go-to with any that are in season. — Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Teriyaki Pineapple Meatballs

These teriyaki pineapple meatballs appetizer changed so many times because of my family’s suggestions that it eventually became a main course. I think the homemade sauce sets these meatballs apart. —Evette Nowicki, Oak Harbor, Washington

Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip

One taste of this outrageously delicious hot spinach artichoke dip and your guests will not stop eating it until it’s gone. The savory blend of artichokes, spinach and Parmesan cheese is positively addictive! It tastes even better if you make it the night before and chill it in the fridge before baking. —Michelle Krzmarzick, Torrance, California

Cucumber Canapes

I always get requests for the recipe for these canapes whenever I serve them. They're delicate finger sandwiches with a creamy herb spread and festive red and green garnishes. —Nadine Whittaker, South Plymouth, Massachusetts

Apple-Gouda Pigs in a Blanket

For New Year’s, I used to make pigs in a blanket with beef and cheddar. But now I like apple and Gouda for an even better flavor celebration. —Megan Weiss, Menomonie, Wisconsin

Mexican Fiesta Platter

This recipe proves you don't need to fuss to prepare an appetizer for a crowd. With generous layers of beef, rice, corn chips and cheese, it's a nacho lover's dream!—Ann Nace, Perkasie, Pennsylvania