Cooking for a large group

AmyRI

DH's grandfather is hosting a family reunion next weekend. There's going to be at least 20 people, and they've rented a big house for everyone to stay in. I've been told to bring a recipe for a large group... so it looks like we're taking turns cooking for the group.

What sort of food do you think lends itself to a large group of people? There are going to be some kids there as well, and I'm kind of stuck because we cook a lot of ethnic foods and stuff that I wouldn't expect kids to like. At the same time, I don't want to just make pasta & meatballs. Should I just try to make one large dish and hope everyone will eat it? Or come up with several related dishes that people could choose from in case they don't like something?

mamie329

Meatball sandwiches? Large crockpots of meatballs in sauce and lots of rolls. Easy, cheap, and filling!

Kellybeth124

I would make a few things that go together. Large casseroles lend themselves pretty well to groups too. I posted a modified version of Ina Garten's mac 'n cheese on the J9 blog that turned out very well and hey, who doesn't like mac 'n cheese?

mamie329

Kellybeth124:

hey, who doesn't like mac 'n cheese?

 

::raises hand:: But I'm a freak of nature. And unAmerican. 

AmyRI

mamie329:

Kellybeth124:

hey, who doesn't like mac 'n cheese?

 

::raises hand:: But I'm a freak of nature. And unAmerican. 

Haha, DH doesn't like cheese, so he doesn't like mac 'n cheese either. But, I love it, and most kids eat it too. Great idea, thanks!

Kellybeth124

Mamie, I think this means we can't be friends.

mamie329

We can find common ground! Maybe someday you can overlook my mac and cheese hatred and learn to love me for me. 

Junebug060609

Casseroles, crock pots, hearty soups, pastas & large hunks o' meat (if you are into that) can fill up large groups.  Also keeping it simple can work, like bringing the fixings for sandwiches the day after Thanksgiving...

RedZee

Sweet potato fries.

 Really, most things with potatoes. Shephard's pie?

Tacos might work too. But you need a lot of ingredients.

hawkilady

Any sort of build your own meal works great in a large group setting... you could do a crockpot full of meat for tacos and have a bar for all the fixings.  You could do a large roast and potatoes and have a bar with toppings for the potatoes.  You could do pulled chicken or pork in a crockpot and set up a sandwich bar.  Get a few different kinds of bread, cheese, condiments, and sliced meat and do a panini bar.  Tons of options.

If you want it to be a family style dinner, do large dishes of pasta, cook a turkey or ham, several casseroles, etc. 

For breakfasts do a strata or frittata or make a batch of cinnamon rolls or pull apart bread that can be refrigerated over night so you just have to bake it in the morning.