what to feed a large crowd on a budget

^{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

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 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

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 ...

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 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 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 would you cater for 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 can I feed a large crowd for 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.

How much food do I need for 150 guests?

If there's going to be a main meal served at an event and the event itself is going to be two hours long, then you multiply 150 by 6. This means you'd need to serve at least 900 appetisers in total. If an event lasts two hours but it doesn't involve guests being served a main meal, you multiply 150 by 12.

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.

Is it cheaper to cater or cook?

Is catering more affordable? Most people would automatically respond that catering is much more expensive, but that's actually a common misconception. Doing the cooking yourself for a large event at home requires more money than most people think.

How much food do you need for 120 guests?

The easiest rule is the “One Pound Rule.” Provide one pound of food for each adult guest (not including drinks or dessert).

How do you cater for a large group?

6 Tips for Catering for Large Groups of PeopleConfirm your guest numbers. As with any large-scale project, planning ahead is a must. ... Consider the event style. ... Stick to crowd pleasers. ... Work out quantities. ... Prepare the ingredients. ... Ask for help.

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...•

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 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...•

How do you calculate catering per person?

Lunch & Dinner - 1 - 6 oz serving for half the number of guests. legally responsible guideline is 1 serving per person per hour. Be sure to plan at least1 piece per person per kind offered. 4 to 6 pieces per person when preceding a meal.

How do you calculate guest count for catering?

Top 4 Ways to Estimate Guest Count for Your Wedding or EventSend RSVP Cards. The traditional way to get an early guest estimate is to send RSVP cards along with the event invitations. ... Rely on Technology. ... Use a Calculation. ... Invite a Set Number of Guests.

How do you calculate food for a party?

Rules to Plan By Each adult will consume 1 pound of food total; children, about 1/2 pound. The more options you have, the less you need of each; decrease the main course portion sizes by 1 to 2 ounces if served on a buffet. Guests will always eat — and drink — more at night than during the day.

How much food do I need for 125 guests?

To calculate how much money per person you have to spend, take your budget and divide that by your number of guests. For example, a couple feeding 125 guests on a $5,000.00 budget will have $40.00 per person to spend on the food, utensils, and equipment. This number will help you determine the type of menu to prepare.

What is Kelly's favorite food?

Kelly said: “Chili is always a favorite this time of year. Beef stew, chicken and dumplings (I use Bisquick), baked spaghetti, baked mac ‘n cheese, and meatloaf. Salad and bread always help people to fill up so they don’t eat too much of the main course. Also a big pot of homemade soup or shepherds pie.”.

How many eggs are in a cheap breakfast?

Sheri said: “This is my favorite cheap breakfast for a crowd – Egg Casserole: 1/2 large loaf of white bread. 9 eggs. 3 cups of milk (you can use canned milk in this) 1/2 lb. of sharp grated cheese. 1 stick butter or margarine. salt and pepper to taste.

How to make a bread casserole with bread?

Directions: Spray coat a 13 x 9 casserole pan. Cut the crusts off of the bread and cut the bread into strips or cubes. Melt the butter and pour into the pan. Cover the bottom of the pan with the bread. Mix together eggs, milk, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle 1/2 of the cheese over the bread, then pour on the egg mixture.

How to make your own pizza crust?

It’s super cheap and easy to make your own pizza crust; just flour, yeast, water, and a little oil and salt. Add in some sauce and toppings, and you have a great meal. Plus let the kids help by topping the pizzas. They’ll love being part of the action.

Can you bake a sourdough bread in advance?

You can add what ever you like to this – salsa, onions, garlic, etc. It feeds quite a few people for not a lot of money. Most of the time, no one knows there is bread in it.”.

Is oatmeal good for breakfast?

Lynn said: “ Oatmeal is cheap for breakfasts, and some recipes can be quite special. Try making it in the crock pot to have ready when you get up. Also check out the clearance sections of the grocery for bakery items; make overnight French toast or breakfast bread pudding from a loaf of French bread, bought for under $1. This will also make great stuffing. Go vegetarian… with beans and rice, a pasta bake with no meat, etc.”

How to feed a large group of people cheaply?

How Do You Feed a Large Group of People Cheaply. Prepare Meals In Advance. 1. Prepare the meals ahead. Meal Planning: Preparing the meals or main dish ahead of the big day will definitely save you more time, and therefore will stop you rushing at the last minute, or even the day before and this is when you waste money.

What are some good side dishes to serve with a crowd?

The other thing to consider is how many side dishes you will have - a nicely cooked veggie dish seasoned and drizzled with a butter garlic sauce is a great side. Green Beans And Butter Garlic - A Great Side dish For A Crowd. Here are some other veggie sides.

What to do with no brand oatmeal?

Use a "no brand" name oatmeal to make a simple yet healthy breakfast for lots of people - porridge is easy to make and adding a few cranberries or honey will give your gang a fulling breakfast.

What to do if you don't have enough money to host a dinner?

If you do not have sufficient funds to host a dinner or gathering, make it a potluck event. In that way, it will save you from preparing too many recipes; hence you can focus on producing one main dish and something like a pasta salad which is a good side serving with your signature main dish while keeping it budget friendly.

What does random grocery shopping mean?

Random grocery shopping means you will end up over budget and probably miss some things. By making a good list with the quantity written down means you will get the 2 lbs of green beans you need - not the 4 lbs because it was there and you could not remember the quantity needed.

Why do we need a list?

Having a list will also mean you focus just on what you need so that money is not spent on things that are just not necessary - remember you are on a budget. Having a list will prevent you from wandering around the store aisles because you do not have a plan and it will save you time.

What is the best way to cook for a large group?

Instant Pot or Slow Cookers Are Great When Cooking For Big Groups. 5. Use Kitchen Appliances where possible to make your job easier. Using a slow cooker, crock pot or instant pot (electric pressure cooker) are great ways to make party food. Use them in your meal planning to make a healthy dinner to serve.

Grab your free grocery shopping list template and breathe a sweet sigh of relief!

You are about to join the Medium Sized Family list! Along with this awesome fillable grocery list template, you'll also get emails with quick wins for saving more of your grocery budget.

Grab your free grocery shopping list template and breathe a sweet sigh of relief!

You are about to join the Medium Sized Family list! Along with this awesome fillable grocery list template, you'll also get emails with quick wins for saving more of your grocery budget.

Great Dinner Ideas for Family

We love having a freezer filled with meat. It’s cheaper to buy in bulk, and it usually tastes better, too.

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.

What do you bring to a Byomeat BBQ?

You provide burgers, dogs, or other shredded meat of choice, plus buns and condiments. Have your guests bring a side, drink, or dessert to share. BYOMeat BBQ – You provide the grill, sides, buns, condiments and drinks. Everyone else brings their own meat and even a side to share.

What to serve at a family reunion?

When people will have a table to sit at, soups and taco salads are fine to serve. If people will mostly be standing and mingling, finger foods are best. When it's something like a family reunion, consider a menu that has something for everyone, something that everyone from little kids to seniors would enjoy.

What are some good recipes for winter?

Baked potato bars, soup bars, and pasta bars are perfect for winter months. Salad bars and BBQ's are perfect for spring and summer. Potlucks are great all year. Just consider what's in season, and what time of year it is.

What is the most inexpensive party?

Potluck – The most inexpensive party idea is a potluck, but it does require a bit more planning. Provide the drinks and a dish or two. Have everyone else contribute a dish, as well. You can ask for specific dishes – main, side, or dessert.

What to do before running to the store?

Before running to the store, open your fridge, freezer, cupboards, and pantry and use what you have! This goes for decorations, too. Trust me…you'll save A TON of money if you simply get creative with what you already have.

Why do I love crock pots?

I love it because it's three individual crock pots that actually cook, which makes for easy clean-up since I'm doing everything in the same pot. These are the handiest tools EVER for feeding a crowd. They save space, keep your food warm, and look nice and professional. They are pretty affordable.

Can you serve steak at a graduation party?

If you're hosting a graduation party at your house and plan to invite all your family and friends…. I wouldn't recommend serving steak. That would become an extremely expensive party! However, if you are hosting a dinner party with two of your best couple friends then sure, steak is a little more reasonable.

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.

What is the best stew for large families?

Authentic Irish Lamb Stew. The Spruce. 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.

What to serve with sloppy Joe?

Sloppy Joe sandwiches make a family-pleasing meal. Serve them with fries or tater tots, or make it even easier with potato chips. Ground beef, ketchup, and seasonings make it a cheap and easy dish to prepare. If the recipe makes too much, you can scale it down or freeze leftovers for another day.

How many people can eat meatloaf?

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.

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