Simple, delicious meals that can be assembled but cooked later

callatini

Hi,

I've started making meals once a month for residents at a Ronald McDonald House as a volunteer project and I could use some help. I have to assemble the meals at the kitchen in the house due to food safety requirements and the idea is that I will prepare everything and leave it in the fridge so families just have to heat it up. The charity is required to reimburse me for the cost of the food so I don't want to make anything that requires lots of different spices or expensive cuts of meat. I'm thinking pasta bakes, casseroles, chili, etc. I also have to bring all the ingredients but I need to be able to carry it all since I'll be traveling there on public transport.

Does anyone have any ideas for me? The dishes need to serve 14-16 people and be ok to be dished up and served at different times since the families will eat at their leisure, not all together. 

(They've never had someone do this for them so I can't ask what's worked in the past. I know this is quite common for the charity in the US, but not in the UK.)

Thank you!

bnlchic03

I was lurking on here for some easy recipes for me but couldn't help but drop this off for you. My friend gave me the recipe for this chicken tortilla casserole awhile back and it's SUPER tasty and very easy to make. I think you would need to make 2 casseroles to feed 16 people.

MiniRoller

First, just wanted to say awesome job volunteering and helping out w/ meals! I hope this is helpful; it's my goto for any frozen/ prepared meals for sick friends/ family/ new moms: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/baked-ziti-iii/detail.aspx

I'd make 2 or 1.5 of this recipe, depending on adult/ kid ratio- I'd do 1.5 if 50/50, more if more adults; if @ least half kids, you'll be fine w/ just 1 pan- it makes a LOT of food. Would also add a salad (even bagged) w/ 1 or 2 dressings or even just some celery and carrots and possibly a sliced loaf of French bread. (The recipe doesn't contain any veggies, which is why I'd DEF add these as a "side"). GL!

spiritenergy

Are crockpot meals all right? Could you do something like this or this? How about lasagna, tamales, or enchiladas?

philandclaire

http://www.brannyboilsover.com/2011/09/06/buffalo-chicken-enchiladas/

http://www.brannyboilsover.com/2011/04/03/sweet-potato-black-bean-burritos/

bmk112302

Meatloaf-I've got a few variations in my blog

Tortellini-Sausage Soup: 

http://reservationsnotrequired.blogspot.com/2009/10/tortellini-sausage-soup.html

Beef and Cheese Manicotti: 

http://reservationsnotrequired.blogspot.com/2008/04/beef-and-cheese-manicotti.html 

Cheesy Baked Ravioli:

http://reservationsnotrequired.blogspot.com/2007/10/cheesy-baked-ravioli.html

Tacos-You could use ground beef, shredded chicken (easy to do if you can leave it to cook in a crockpot)

Barbecue Sandwiches (also easy to do with a crock pot)

Tortilla Pie or Chicken Pot Pie (use rotisserie chickens to speed up your process):

http://reservationsnotrequired.blogspot.com/2009/04/one-chicken-three-ways.html

Beef Stew or Beef Burgandy

White Bean Chicken Chili

http://reservationsnotrequired.blogspot.com/2008/01/still-cold-more-soup-recipes.html 

callatini

Thank you everyone! I don't think the house has a crock pot, but I'll check.

Denverite

What if you purchase and prep/chop all of the ingredients for a big salad  and some easily baked bread/rolls?  Might be a nice change of pace from all of the casseroles.