what to feed a group of people

Soups and Stews That Are Great to Feed a Large Crowd

• Calico Beans
• The Simplest White Chicken Chili
• Simple Hamburger Soup
• Simple Crock Pot Chicken Soup with a Kick
• Last-Minute Lentil Chili
• 20-Minute Taco Soup
• Potato Soup
• Chili

Full Answer

What is a good meal for a large group of people?

20+ Inexpensive, Easy Meals for Large Groups. 1 Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches. The key to this recipe for large groups is in the homemade BBQ sauce. Once it’s in the slow cooker, it’s ... 2 Hearty Baked Penne Pasta. 3 Tasty Taco Bar. 4 Killer Carnitas. 5 Chicken Spaghetti. More items

Do you feed a large group of people?

The truth is, 95% of people don’t care about that stuff. The important thing is that they feel welcome, loved, and nourished in our home. Since we do make it a regular habit of feeding groups of people, our meals need to be somewhat inexpensive but still feed a large group!

What is the best dinner to feed a large crowd?

50 Dinner Recipes That Will Feed a Crowd. 1 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 ... 2 Double-Duty Layered Enchilada Casserole. 3 Meaty Arugula Pizzas. 4 Mini Barbecue Meat Loaves. 5 Green Chile Beef Burritos. More items

How do you make a meal for a large group?

To make this a meal for large groups, simply double the portion in the slow cooker. It’ll cook for the same amount of time, and you’ll have twice as much to feed people! You can also make them in the Instant Pot using this method. I always always always double this recipe when I make them and freeze one for later.

What do you feed a crowd of people?

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...

What is the cheapest meal to feed a crowd?

44 Recipes That Will Feed A Crowd on A BudgetTater Tot Nachos.Potluck Tabbouleh with Feta.Slow Cooker Curried Lentils with Pistachios.Gray Poupon Ham & Cheese Rollups.Slow Cooker Apple Chai for a Crowd.Ultimate Party Meatballs.Sweet & Spicy Chicken.Chicken Over Rice.More items...•

How do you feed a group of people cheap?

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 do you feed a group 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 do you feed 7 people on a budget?

7 Proven Steps to Feed a Family on a Tight BudgetLearn to cook from scratch. ... Go for wholesome, high nutrient ingredients. ... Shop by special sales not by a meal plan. ... Eat some and leave some. ... No chips, crackers, and soft drinks. ... Minimize snacks. ... Grow your own food.

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...•

How would you feed 100 guests on a budget?

Wedding Menu- 5 Lunch ideas to feed up to 100 people for under $250Pizza and Breadsticks. Nothing could be simpler than pizza and breadsticks for a lunchtime reception- and you don;t even have to cook it! ... Tacos, Rice and Beans. ... Pasta and Bread. ... Burgers and Fries. ... Sub Sandwich Bar.

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 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 should I feed my teenage crowd?

The Best Recipes for Feeding A Crowd (Girls Camp, Family Reunions, Youth Groups, etc)Pulled Pork Sandwiches (Crock Pot)BBQ Chicken Sandwiches (Crock Pot)Tasty Teriyaki Chicken (Crock Pot)Taco Salad (build your own)Cilantro Lime Chicken (Crock Pot)Spaghetti Sauce for a Crowd (Freezer super well)More items...•

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.

What is the cheapest food to cater?

The cheapest food to cater is any rice or noodle-based cultural cuisine. Mexican, Indian, and Thai dishes are delicious and affordable. Or, if you're hosting an event during the day, serve brunch and breakfast items.

How can I feed a large family cheap?

How I Feed My Large Family on a Budget1.) Plan ahead. This week, I made 20 meals for the freezer for under $165 in just under 3 hours. And it felt SO good! ... 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. Make your coffee at home.

What is poor food?

A famine food or poverty food is any inexpensive or readily available food used to nourish people in times of hunger and starvation, whether caused by extreme poverty, such as during economic depression or war, or by natural disasters such as drought.

How do you set up a pasta bar?

How to Make DIY Pasta BarCook your pastas. Toss each variety in oil and place in their own bowls.Place varieties of sauces, cheeses, meats, and veggies in their own bowls.Place all the bowls on a table or bar. Let each person serve themselves.

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!

Homemade vs. Storebought

Just a quick note about this itty bitty issue. All of us have different guidelines and comfort levels when it comes to making every last thing from scratch vs buying every bit, even the prepared stuff, at the store.

Three Most Popular Meals

Without further ado, here are the three most popular meals my compatriots and I served for lunch the last three years:

Keep it Simple

What’s obvious from the above list is that none of those meal plans are fancy.

Freeze Everything

Ok, maybe not everything, but it’s rare that I’ve found a recipe or food that doesn’t freeze well, which means you can make a lot ahead of time. Some notable exceptions that you should NOT freeze are: potato salad, fruit salad, macaroni or pasta salad, dairy-based recipes, etc.

The Right Tools Will Save You

If you aren’t cooking for a crowd on the regular, you probably don’t need to invest in specific tools and supplies. You can easily borrow most of these things, but I thought I’d share a list of the tools that saved me when I served construction lunches…AND, I still use all of these things even though I’m not cooking for a crowd quite as often.

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!

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

22 Easy Meal Ideas for Large Groups

When it comes to feeding a crowd, nothing tops the last time you had to singlehandedly feed 30 hangry little leaguers—unless, of course, you’re new to the PTO and you’ve just been tasked with feeding 300 families...on a budget. Next week.

Walking Tacos Calculator

Enter the number of people you expect to serve at your event (in the box below) and we’ll tell you how much ground beef you need for walking tacos:

Pasta Dinner Calculator

Enter the number of people you expect to serve at your event (in the box below) and we’ll tell you how much uncooked (dry) pasta you need:

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.

Family Sicilian Sauce and Meatballs

My mother's family originally came from Sicily and every family member makes his or her own version - this version came most recently via Brooklyn. If there are any leftovers, they freeze very well. MANGIA! Serve with red wine and a good loaf of crusty Italian bread.

Firehouse Clam Bake New England Style

Growing up along the Eastern seaboard in Rhode Island, seafood is a staple of the state! This is a wonderful recipe that is prepared right on the beach!! A lot of work, but well worth it! You'll have to collect a lot of stones and seaweed for this dish.

Sausage, Pepper, and Onion Sandwiches

One of my favorite fair foods that I always looked forward to, until I learned how to make them myself. Serve on Italian hoagie rolls.

Anna's Amazing Easy Pleasy Meatballs over Buttered Noodles

My friend Anna makes the most amazing and easy meatballs with gravy! Prepared in a slow cooker, this recipe couldn't be any easier! Serve over buttery hot cooked noodles and you'll have a happy crowd! Mangia!

Kofta Kebabs

These kebabs have 6 different kinds of spices; the first time I smelled them I knew immediately that I had to find the recipe. The most affordable way to purchase the spices is in bulk at either a health food store or an Asian or Middle-Eastern market. They are very good! Serve with yogurt, flat bread, lettuce, tomato and cucumber.

Beef Tamales

These are just like the tamales my Abuelita used to make for special occasions. This recipe makes a lot, but if you're going to go to all the trouble of making tamales from scratch, you might as well have a party! You will need butchers' twine and a large pot with a steamer basket to make these.

Bone-In Ham Cooked in Beer

This is a recipe we have used for the past 5 years. The beer really tenderizes the ham. Using beer is probably a Wisconsin thing. We seem to find many uses for it. But don't worry, the ham will not taste like beer when it is done other than maybe a small hint on the bottom portions.