- First Course. Open your meal with a first course of soup or salad. Plan a soup that doesn't take long to cook, like a puréed squash or cream of broccoli.
- Meat Dishes. A roast is an easy way to feed eight people without a lot of preparation. Whether it's beef, lamb or pork, estimate about 8 ozs. ...
- Vegetarian Dishes. If you're dining with vegetarians, it's usually easier to just avoid a meat dish rather than make a separate vegetarian dish.
- Side Dishes. Potatoes or rice provide the perfect side dish for a large group. ...
- Dessert. Every good dinner party ends with a delicious dessert. Don't worry about an overly complicated dessert that has to be baked just so.
- Tips for Dinner Planning. Prepare as much of the meal ahead of time as possible. Buy ready-made cut and washed vegetables when possible to cut down on preparation time.
How do you feed eight people at a party?
You can also prepare the salad toppings beforehand and simply toss together with the greens and creamy dressing immediately before serving. A roast is an easy way to feed eight people without a lot of preparation. Whether it's beef, lamb or pork, estimate about 8 ozs. of uncooked meat per person, or more if you have heavy eaters.
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 of people?
Instead of stressing about scaling up your meal, simply look toward foods that naturally feed a large crowd --- think soups, salads and casseroles --- and still provide a delicious, balanced meal. Open your meal with a first course of soup or salad.
How much meat do you need to feed 8 people?
A roast is an easy way to feed eight people without a lot of preparation. Whether it's beef, lamb or pork, estimate about 8 ozs. of uncooked meat per person, or more if you have heavy eaters. Prep the roast ahead of time, so you'll only have to slide it into the oven the day of the dinner.
What can I feed a group of 8?
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 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 much food do you need for 10 guests?
The easiest rule is the “One Pound Rule.” Provide one pound of food for each adult guest (not including drinks or dessert).
How many pounds of meat do I need for 8 people?
What weight of meat per person to order?Boneless MeatNumber of PeopleBone in meat1lb / 0.45kg2 – 32lb / 0.91kg4 – 53lb / 1.36kg3lb / 1.36kg6 – 74lb / 1.82kg4lb / 1.82kg8 – 96lb / 2.73kg8 more rows
How do you feed a big crowd?
Tips for feeding a large crowdMake it appealing to the eye. ... Do as much food prep ahead of time as possible. ( ... Don't be afraid to say yes to help! ... Create a menu with one simple main dish (ideas below) and as mentioned above, set out simple fruit and veggie side dishes to accompany the meal.Serve water. ... SMILE.
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.
How can I feed many people 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.
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 calculate food for a crowd?
Guest-imating: How Much Food to Fix?Appetizers or snacks should consist of two to three portions per person, more if these are the only food being served.3 ounces of dip or salsa (about 1/3 cup per person)One cup of soup (less if it's a thick soup, like chowder)3 ounces of salad (about 1 cup)More items...•
How do you figure out 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 many trays of food do I need per person?
In the catering world, there is a general rule of thumb that should be followed when catering an event: If you are catering for a grand event without dinner, then you will need to serve 10-15 pieces per person. If you are catering for a dinner event, then you will need to serve 3-5 appetisers for each person.
What do you feed a crowd of 30?
Here are 70+ other great freezer meals!Tasty Taco Bar. ... Chicken Spaghetti. ... Easy Ham and Cheese Sliders. ... Slow Cooker Chicken and Cheese Taquitos. ... Baked Italian Meatballs. ... Slow Cooker French Dip Grilled Cheese Sandwiches. ... Crowd Pleaser Mexican Soup. ... Slow Cooker Cheddar & Bacon Potato Soup.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 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 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...
How long to thaw a casserole before a party?
Prepare them up to three days in advance and refrigerate, or make them weeks before your party and freeze. Allow the dishes to thaw for at least a day in the refrigerator if frozen. Use any extra vegetables from the casserole to top the salad as a money-saving move.
How to feed 8 people?
A roast is an easy way to feed eight people without a lot of preparation. Whether it's beef, lamb or pork, estimate about 8 ozs. of uncooked meat per person, or more if you have heavy eaters. Prep the roast ahead of time, so you'll only have to slide it into the oven the day of the dinner. If you'd rather have chicken, make a large tray of chicken Parmesan or chicken cacciatore. Both are quick dishes that generally are crowd-pleasers, even with young guests.
What to do when you have a time crunch?
For salads, if you're under a time crunch, a traditional garden salad with chopped vegetables will suffice, or get creative with different ingredients, including roasted vegetables, berries and nuts.
What to do when dining with kids?
Adaptable dishes allow kids to join the grownups in a nice sit-down meal without doubling your work.
How to cook dinner for 8?
When cooking for eight, there's no concern you'll waste an entire roast or only use a tablespoon of the tomato paste you just opened . Instead of stressing about scaling up your meal, simply look toward foods that naturally feed ...
What to serve for a party of 8?
Rice dishes also are easy and cheap for a party of eight. For a less traditional route, make a creamy, cheesy polenta side dish or a bowl of quinoa pilaf. These grains go a long way in feeding a crowd, and are cost-effective side options.
What are some good side dishes to serve with a large group?
Side Dishes. Potatoes or rice provide the perfect side dish for a large group. cube potatoes, coat them lightly with olive oil, and brown them in the oven with a little chopped onion and garlic salt for crisp but tender potatoes that complement any main course. Rice dishes also are easy and cheap for a party of eight.
Unexpected company? Your daughter brought her soccer team home? No problem! These 30-minute recipes are easy and filling... and feed eight or more in a snap
Unexpected company? Your daughter brought her soccer team home? No problem! These 30-minute recipes are easy and filling... and feed eight or more in a snap.
Veggie Fajitas
My husband prefers these to chicken or beef fajitas and I serve them for dinner often. —Sarah Mercer, Wichita, Kansas
Smoked Gouda Spinach Pizza
"My daughter actually created this savory gouda and spinach pizza recipe as an appetizer. There's never a crumb left!"—Marie Hattrup, Sparks, Nevada
Buffalo Sloppy Joes
Lean ground turkey makes this a lighter sloppy joe than the standard ground beef version. A hefty splash of hot sauce and optional blue cheese provide an authentic Buffalo-style flavor. —Maria Regakis, Saugus, Massachusetts
Chicken Nuggets
I like to make these golden chicken nuggets because they’re so quick and easy. My whole family loves them. You can also use the seasoning to cook chicken breast halves. Stack them on rustic bread with mayo, lettuce and tomato for delicious sandwiches. —Annette Ellyson, Carolina, West Virginia
Sloppy Joe Pizza
If your kids like sloppy joes, they'll love this pizza. I came up with the six-ingredient recipe that's easy to assemble. —Brenda Rohlman, Kingman, Kansas
Broccoli Beef Braids
Each slice of this fast-to-fix, golden bread is like a hot sandwich packed with beef, broccoli and mozzarella. —Penny Lapp, North Royalton, Ohio
What vegetables are used in pizza?
Fresh spinach gives this recipe a tasty twist. That leafy green plus yellow peppers, snow-white mushrooms and tomato sauce make this a colorful addition to your pizza buffet table. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
How long ahead can you make a sauce?
Nothing is better than having a sauce with the perfect slather consistency. Here's one that will ensure a lip-smacking feast. Go ahead and make the sauce up to a week ahead for an easier grilling experience. —Caitlin Hawes, Westwood, Massachusetts.
What spices are used in goulash?
Ground cumin, chili powder and a can of Mexican diced tomatoes jazz up my goulash recipe. Even the elbow macaroni is prepared in the slow cooker. —Melissa Polk, West Lafayette, Indiana
What is the flavor of roast chicken?
But this elegant, Sunday-special roast chicken, flavored with rosemary, wine and balsamic vinegar, is surprisingly simple to make. —Tracy Tylkowski, Omaha, Nebraska
Who said "Roasted drumsticks keep everyone happy"?
Roasted drumsticks keep everyone happy. —Erica Allen, Tuckerton, New Jersey
1. White Pesto Spinach Lasagna (10 servings)
Cheesy? Check. Bubbly? Check. Loaded with gorgeous good-for-you veggies like spinach and wild mushrooms? Triple check.
2. Slow Cooker Crispy Carnitas (10 servings)
In this big-batch gem, pork shoulder is simmered in the slow cooker for eight hours, yielding tender, fall-off-the-bone meat that’s fabulous in tacos, sandwiches and even with fried eggs.
3. Baked Sausage and Cheese Rigatoni (8 servings)
This family favorite packs in a pound of ground sweet Italian sausage, plus lots of ricotta, Parm and provolone. (Thanks, Coterie member, Heidi Larsen .)
4. Caramelized Shiitake Mushroom Risotto (8 servings)
A ten-ingredient, 30-minute recipe that stores for up to a month in the freezer. (So basically, it’s fabulous in every way.)
5. Korean Beef Tacos (12 servings)
These mind-blowing tacos come together in 35 minutes and are piled high with sriracha mayo and caramelized kimchi to boot.
6. Healthy Instant Pot Turkey Chili (8 servings)
The easiest way to cook for a crowd: Dump all the ingredients into your pressure cooker, then go live your life. In six hours, you’ve got a soul-warming dinner that's ready to serve.
7. Chicken and Dumplings (6 servings)
This classic takes a little bit of patience to make (hey, homemade biscuits take time), but Coterie member Maria Lichty promises it’s worth it.
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 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 is 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.
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.
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.
What is calico beans?
Calico beans are super easy to make, and they can be served as a main dish or side. The dish is made with a variety of canned beans and ground beef. Serve this delicious mixed bean dish with biscuits or cornbread.
What is instant pot pork shoulder?
This Instant Pot pork shoulder is a fast and easy preparation, and it's always a hit. Budget-friendly pork shoulder goes a long way, whether it is used in sandwiches, tacos, or as a mac and cheese topper .
How many recipes has Diana Rattray written?
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. With today's smaller family size, it can be difficult to find large quantity recipes, and it's even harder to find economical choices.
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 long to cook fiery shrimp?
A test-kitchen tip: Make this recipe before your guests arrive by using the broiler. Arrange shrimp on a baking sheet and cook for two to three minutes per side.
How many bars are in a pina colada?
These sweet and tangy bars are reminiscent of both key lime pie and a piña colada. The perfect make-ahead treat, this recipe yields two dozen bars but can easily be cut smaller to serve larger parties.
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.
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!
