what to feed a big crowd cheap not pizza

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What are the best tips for feeding a large crowd?

There are classic recipes like sloppy joes and macaroni and cheese that every kid will love, and also some creative twists on meals to adapt them more to feed more people. You’ll find slow cooker, make ahead and freezer-friendly recipes and even dessert recipes to help you make feeding a large crowd go more smoothly.

What is a good meal to freeze for a large crowd?

Cheesy Ham Soufflé This Cheesy Ham Soufflé is a long-time family favorite recipe that is also perfect as a breakfast freezer meal! LARGE FAMILY BEEF TATER TOT CASSEROLE RECIPE Home cooked and delicious! Chicken Enchiladas for a Large Crowd This is another quick and easy dinner!

What are some easy meals for large groups of people?

20 Easy Meals for Large Groups of People Slow Cooker Shredded BBQ Beef Sandwiches. The key to this recipe for large groups is in the homemade BBQ sauce. Once... Hearty Baked Penne Pasta. This recipe feeds an army. Almost everybody loves the hearty, beefy, cheesy pasta. Serve it... Crockpot Breakfast ...

How do you feed a large group on a small budget?

Here are some ways to try to feed a large group on a small budget: Go 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.

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.

What do you feed big crowds?

47 Big-Batch Dishes to Feed a CrowdWhite Pesto Spinach Lasagna (10 servings) ... Slow Cooker Crispy Carnitas (10 servings) ... Baked Sausage and Cheese Rigatoni (8 servings) ... Caramelized Shiitake Mushroom Risotto (8 servings) ... Korean Beef Tacos (12 servings) ... Healthy Instant Pot Turkey Chili (8 servings)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...•

How can I feed a big family for cheap?

Here are my top tips for feeding a large family on a budget:1.) Plan ahead. This week, I made 20 meals for the freezer for under $165 in just under 3 hours. ... 2.) Set a food budget. My food budget includes what I spend at the grocery store. ... 3.) Use Cash. I use my cash envelopes. ... 4.) Make at home.

How do you feed a party on a budget?

Here are some simple party food ideas on a budget:Soup.Loose meat sandwiches.Baked potatoes.Pasta.Tacos.Make-your-own-pizzas.Cheese and crackers.Vegetables and dip.More items...•

What do you feed a group of 12?

Easy Meals for a Group of 12Cheesy Roast Beef Casserole Sliders.Chicken Parmesan Slider Bake.Twice-Baked Potatoes.Sheet Pan Breakfast Bake.Ham and Swiss Sliders.Easy, Peasy Carbonara.Reuben Braid Sandwich.Sheet Pan Cuban Sandwiches.More items...•

What is a good plate of food to take to a party?

These share plates of finger foods, salads and nibbles are perfect for your gathering!1Turkey, cranberry and brie sausage roll bags. ... 2Chow mein sharing salad. ... 3Honey mustard chicken sausage rolls.

What is comfort food examples?

The 20 Best Comfort Foods in America—and Where to Eat ThemChicken and Waffles. Where to get it: According to John T. ... Spaghetti and Meatballs. ... Chicken Fried Steak. ... Mac and Cheese. ... Hotdish. ... Chicago Deep Dish Pizza. ... Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup. ... Matzo Ball Soup.More items...•

What can I order instead of pizza?

Here are 12 ideas for party fare that will help you out of the takeout pizza rut:Grilled Cheese for a Crowd. Grilled cheese doesn't sound like a smart idea for a party—until you make it this way. ... Fondue. ... Chili. ... Pulled pork sandwiches. ... Taco bar. ... Burgers. ... Potato Bar. ... Kebabs.More items...•

What's the cheapest meal 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...•

What is the cheapest thing to make for dinner?

24 Cheap Dinner Ideas For When Life Gets ExpensiveChili Cheese Dog Casserole. Ingredients: 6. ... Ingredients: 10. Servings: 4. ... Easy Tater Tot™ Hotdish. Total: 1 hr 10 min. ... Fried Spaghetti. ... Tex-Mex Beef and Rice Skillet. ... 3-Ingredient Cheddar-Bacon Chicken Breasts. ... Vegetable Ramen Pad Thai. ... 5-Ingredient Chicken Alfredo Bubble-Up Bake.More items...•

How do you feed a family of 5 on $50 a week?

1:5810:43$50 Weekly Grocery Budget Meal Plan for A Family Of 5 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipReally really well once i added my neck bone into the pot i added more chicken broth to cover it youMoreReally really well once i added my neck bone into the pot i added more chicken broth to cover it you can use beef broth. But i prefer chicken because of the taste.

How do you serve a large crowd?

Go for a buffet setup instead of individual plates. ... Use slow cookers, chafing dishes, or warming trays to keep food at the right temperature. ... Make space at your table by using multi-height serving platters. ... Use your crock-pot for desserts. ... Make large dishes that can easily be doubled.More items...•

What do you feed a crowd of 100?

Cooking For A CrowdMacaroni 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)Baked Ziti For 20. ... Scalloped Potatoes For A Crowd. ... Italian-Style Pasta Salad for 100. ... Sloppy Joes for 100. ... Mashed Potatoes For A Crowd.More items...

How do you cater for a large crowd?

5 Tips on How to Cater for a Large GroupPreparation is the key to success. The more information you can give to the caterer, the better. ... Consider the event style. Once you have your guest list confirmed, it's time to consider the style of the event. ... Work out quantities. ... Less is sometimes more. ... More is...not that hard!

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.

Feeding A Large Group On Small Budget

It can be done, don’t stress. Together we will come up with some great ideas for feeding your large group on a budget.

Entertain On A Budget

No matter whether you are planning a summer BBQ or a Thanksgiving dinner or holiday bash you can entertain a large group on a super tight budget.

Saving Money On A Tight Budget

Saving money on a super tight budget is easy to do. Learn more about how to save money when things are tight.

Feeding A Large Group

Feeding a large party can get expensive. But we have some great money saving tips to help you save on your meal planning.

Large Group Meal Plan

When it comes to your meal planning simple is the best way to go. Soup, salad, BBQ, and tacos are all super inexpensive great party time meals. Homemade pizza and burgers are also great options.

Decorations On A Budget

You can save tons of money on party decorations by making your own. DIY is the way to go. Or maybe you’re set on a theme and need more than just balloons and flowers.

Beverages On A Budget

Skip the pop, juice and alcohol for your party this year and opt for water, tea and coffee. Or if you must have pop, juice or alcohol go generic and re-bottle it in a beautiful glass pitcher or carafe.

Cheap Meals Start with Free Groceries!

One of the first things you’ll want to do is start stocking up on Free Grocery Gift Cards! They’ll come in so handy when you’re ready to start buying ingredients for the recipes below. Here are a few of my favorite tips…

Save Money with Printable Coupons!

Before heading to the grocery store, be sure to print the latest Grocery Coupons for recipe ingredients and party essentials. Then, when you match up your printed coupons with the Free Grocery Gift Cards you’ve earned, you’ll save even more!

Recipes to Feed a Crowd on a Budget

Jenny said: “ Crockpot meals are yummy and typically last my family of four for about 2 – 3 dinners. So that would feed at least eight people for one dinner!”

Lodge Dutch Ovens

I absolutely love my dutch oven, and it’s perfect for feeding a crowd! You can use your 6 quart Dutch Oven to make a variety of Easy One Pot Meals that will your guests up and keep the kitchen cleaning… one pot is all you’ll need!

Crockpot Beef Tacos Recipe

Angela said: “ Enchiladas … cheese or meat and Spanish rice and beans for the side dishes. You can individually roll the enchiladas, or you can lay the tortillas flat and layer them; making a casserole of it. Hope that helps!”

Easy Chicken Enchiladas Recipe

Jodi said: “I make Chicken and Dumplings often, but I use tortilla’s instead of dumplings… they are not as thick and gooey and they cost less! Just cut them in to strips or squares! The crockpot is your friend when it comes to a crowd!!”

Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

Grace said: “I would suggest making dishes that use inexpensive meats (or none at all) that can be used again as left overs. Big pans of homemade soups and/or stews, for example, are hearty meals. Add some bread and a salad! Same thing for Spaghetti and meat sauce or marinara.

FEEDING A CROWD ON THE CHEAP

You ready to get started? Here are helpful tips to keep your wallet in check when feeding all the people:

CHEAP PARTY FOOD IDEAS

All of that being said, here are some examples of great menus that I use to feed a crowd on the cheap:

SHOP FOR THE PARTY FOOD

Here are some quick tips for keeping your grocery bill down when shopping for a party:

PARTY ACCESSORIES & MUST-HAVES

Accessories make the outfit when it comes to throwing a party. Whether it's functional must-have's or little touches that give a party some POP!, here are some accessories that I recommend for feeding a crowd:

STAY ON BUDGET WITH BUDGET BOOT CAMP!

If you’re new here, welcome! You can get all budgeting and finance tips, and my secret sauce in my fun-to-watch video program Budget Boot Camp !

Feeding Large Groups

I’ve been feeding large groups of people for decades. High school groups, college students, and adult small groups have been in a regular rotation around my dinner table.

Want to Stock Your Freezer With 6 Meals in Just 1 Hour!?

We can help! Our 1 Hour Freezer Prep Sessions help you make 6 delicious freezer meals in just 1 hour.

Feed a Crowd Without Breaking the Bank

Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.

Simple Meatloaf With Optional Topping

Meatloaf is an excellent choice for big families; the basic combination of ground beef, breadcrumbs, and seasonings is budget-friendly and will serve up to 8 people. Add a tasty topping to this simple meatloaf to make it extra special and serve it with rice, mashed potatoes, or noodles. Or use the meat mixture to make sliders or meatloaf muffins .

Pizza Pasta Casserole

Classic pizza flavors and ingredients abound in this hearty all-in-one pizza pasta casserole. Use whatever pasta you have in the pantry and your family's favorite pizza toppings to make this delicious casserole.

Authentic Irish Lamb Stew

Lamb shoulder makes this Irish stew a flavorful, budget-friendly choice for large families. Add some root vegetables and basic pantry seasonings and you have a meal to remember.

Traditional Brunswick Stew

Brunswick stew offers loads of flavor, and it is a perfect way to use up leftovers. The stew includes shredded cooked chicken thighs and pork shoulder, beans, and vegetables. Whether for a big family or potluck dinner, you can't go wrong with this delicious dish.

Chicken Bog

This old-timey South Carolina chicken and rice bog will surely delight your friends and family. The smoked sausage adds to the complex flavors in this dish. Add a tossed salad or slaw for a memorable dinner.

Instant Pot Potato Soup

A hearty potato soup makes an inexpensive yet satisfying meal for a family, and the Instant Pot pressure cooker makes this a quick and easy preparation.

Brunch Ideas

Brunch menus can be cheap if you choose the right foods. Here are some ideas.

Lunch or Dinner Ideas

Lunch or dinner menus for parties can be costlier for you as the host, but they don’t have to be. Here are some great cheap food ideas for lunch and dinner parties.

Appetizer Ideas

If you’re choosing to serve appetizers at your party, you’ll be glad to know there are lots of frugal choices. Here are some of my favorites.

Dessert Ideas

What’s a party without dessert? Here are some cost-effective dessert ideas for every party occasion. However, let me start with a tip: It’s almost always cheaper to do homemade when you’re talking dessert.

My Favorite Cheap Party Food Ideas

There are several keys to feeding a crowd for cheap. Some involve the types of food you choose to serve, while others involve how you get them. Here are some of my favorite cheap party foods, and ideas for making great party foods for less.

More Tips for Throwing a Cheap Party

There are other things you can do to serve food cheaply at parties as well. Here are some of the tips I use to feed a crowd for less.

Summary

With a little ingenuity, it is entirely possible to throw a party without spending a lot of money on food. Just get creative and combine your favorite menu items with the other tips I’ve mentioned above.

What should I make for a large fam ily dinner?

If you have found yourself wondering what to feed a large crowd for dinner, below you will find over 100 recipes to give you ideas on what to feed a large group. Coming up with what to make for a dinner party or what to make for a large family gathering can be daunting, so I have compiled over 100 recipes for you to try.

Large Family Meal Ideas for Slow Cooker and Instant Pot Recipes

Easy Slowcooker Chicken Fajitas Recipe Fajitas are tasty and easy in the slow cooker.

Make Ahead or Freezer Meal Recipes – perfect large family meal ideas!

Sausage, Egg, & Cheese Breakfast Burritos – Breakfast for breakfast or breakfast for dinner, these breakfast burritos are a delicious and easy make-ahead meal that will feed a large crowd.

Pasta Recipes for Large Family Meal Ideas – BIG Recipes to Feed a Crowd!

Kielbasa and Cheesy Broccoli Bow Tie Bake | Freezer Meal Recipe You won’t believe how quick this meal comes together.

Large Family Meal Ideas for Sandwiches, Subs and Sliders

Ham and Cheese Pinwheels | Large Family Freezer Meals – Quick and Easy to throw together for a large crowd.

Easy Peasy Sheet Pan Recipes

Have you ever made a Sheet Pan Recipe? Nothing could be simpler, you just put all of the ingredients on the sheet pan, preheating the oven while you cut up the vegetables. Pop it in the oven. The meat and the sides are all done at the same time, all cooked on the same pan! One dish to clean up! Perfect for large family meal ideas!

Soups for Large Families and to Feed lots of folks!

Soups are always a great for large family meal ideas. They are frugal, filling, and be even be made super scrumptious with leftovers and odds and ends.