Cheap Meal for a crowd

[Tweevil]

Whole Turkeys feed a lot of people and are not hard to cook.

I agree with the whole turkeys...

60 people isn't that bad as far as volume. In my experience those who come really love home cooked meals. A lot of times sandwiches and quick items like that are the norm. Home cooked dinners (like T-giving or Christmas type dinners) seem to get the huge thumbs up.

We do turkeys and sliced hams, gravy, mashed potatoes, veg sides, rolls, and then a dessert (cupcakes or something like that). These things can be done in large volumes ahead of time and can be kept warm really well (slice meat, add gravy to warm during service). Oh... once we did meatloaf and salsbury steaks in gravy with those same kind of sides... that was a good dinner for everyone.

Now, I know it's summer and that may be a factor with the heat but we tend to do these because - believe it or not - they are easy and you get the volume of food you need without much prep.
I hope this helps and hugs to you for helping out. I know each and every one of your diners will appreciate you doing this.

 

[AustinTink]

Chili macaroni and cornbread goes a really long way.

 

[C.Ann]

If cost is a factor I would go with sloppy joes (ground beef, tomato paste, seasoning, and buns are very inexpensive); peeled, sliced marinated cucumbers - (or maybe peas) for a vegetable - and watermelon for dessert..

 

[tonilea]

Chicken 'n rice.

 

[clarabelle]

Thanks everyone
I do this every few months so ALL your suggestions will be noted.
I am going to save this thread
Thanks again

 

[CTrumble]

Very cheap and easy....

Red (or really any kind of pinto, black, etc) over rice....

Serve with rolls and maybe a salad.


(If you soak the beans the night before--the prep time is basically just stirring the pot while you cook the rice. )

 

[pixiewings71]

We do a dish that's super cheap and super easy. The most $$ part is the Fritos but if you can't afford those then leave them out. Here it is~

Rice-cooked
Chili
any toppings you would put on tacos or on chili
cheese
sour cream
guac
hot sauce
Fritos

To assemble you just layer,

Fritos
Rice
Chili
toppings

eat it up. that's it, super easy to make, super cheap and really good.