Cooking for a crowd of fifteen

[kid-at-heart]

We are a small family of four with small appetites and thus cook small meals. However, this summer we will be having multiple family members from all over the world, staying at our house for two weeks straight. Whatever should we cook??? I am sure we can grill out for a few nights but I cannot serve hamburger every night. Plus we need breakfasts, lunches and snacks. Age range, two young girls, ages 8 and 10, a 15 and a 20 year old female, and the rest range in ages from 40s-90s. And to add to the mix, one vegan. Suggestions, favorite recipes, etc. Recipes that can be made ahead of time and frozen would be extra helpful.

Also, during these two weeks, both spouse and I will be working full time so quick and easy suggestions are also appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[krysenchips]

Do you have a slow cooker? I have found that putting a hunk of meat in it in the morning with some sort of liquid and spice and letting it cook all day is very beneficial. Serve it with a salad, veggies, and potatoes and serve it family style. Every one can take as much protein as they want but there is also the salad and veggies for everyone.

 

[Hikergirl]

Things I do when I feed a crowd
Dinners:
Pulled pork or chicken, coleslaw, chips, corn on cob (cooked in cooler)
Tacos, meat is easy to cook ahead of time and freeze, can do mexican rice in pressure cooker if you have one
Baked ziti and green salad
Grilled meats- chicken, hamburgers, hotdogs, mac or pasta salad to go with, corn on cob
Pizza (take and bakes are around $5) and wings (big frozen bags from BJs)

Breakfasts:
Breakfast casseroles
Pancakes bacon and sausage
Scrambled eggs and bacon and sausage
Bagels/cream cheese or butter and jam, and fruit salad


My guests are family or close friends so I don't do anything fancy, it is all about easy food for a crowd.

 

[kid-at-heart]

Do you have a slow cooker? I have found that putting a hunk of meat in it in the morning with some sort of liquid and spice and letting it cook all day is very beneficial. Serve it with a salad, veggies, and potatoes and serve it family style. Every one can take as much protein as they want but there is also the salad and veggies for everyone.

I do have a slow cooker, and an instant pot. Good idea.

 

[kid-at-heart]

Things I do when I feed a crowd
Dinners:
Pulled pork or chicken, coleslaw, chips, corn on cob (cooked in cooler)
Tacos, meat is easy to cook ahead of time and freeze, can do mexican rice in pressure cooker if you have one
Baked ziti and green salad
Grilled meats- chicken, hamburgers, hotdogs, mac or pasta salad to go with, corn on cob
Pizza (take and bakes are around $5) and wings (big frozen bags from BJs)

Breakfasts:
Breakfast casseroles
Pancakes bacon and sausage
Scrambled eggs and bacon and sausage
Bagels/cream cheese or butter and jam, and fruit salad


My guests are family or close friends so I don't do anything fancy, it is all about easy food for a crowd.

Fancy will not be on the agenda this time. I just want to keep everyone fed, or at least have foods available that they can grab and fix for themselves. Tacos, good idea, that could evolve into all sorts of meals. Dinner at night, lunch the next day.

 

[kymom99]

Pasta bar. Have a couple different sauces available, plus bread and salad.

Side dishes that go with burgers or whatever you are having: Macaroni and cheese can be made ahead and put in oven when you get home. Also my husband can doctor up baked beans so that people practically lick the plate.

 

[ajwolfe]

Make ahead lasagna to freeze and take out on busy nights - add salad and bread

Make your own salad bar with a pre-grilled chicken or steak to add in

Breakfast for dinner - waffles/quiche/etc

Chili Mac

For the crock pot and you could use lots of these for left over lunches in a different way:
Roast
Buffalo chicken
pork tenderloin
pulled pork

 

[Gigi22]

Instant Pot Umami Pot Roast. Instant Pot Chili.
Keep both ice cream and fruit on hand.
Cold cereals.
Not sure what to suggest about the vegan.

 

[kaddjr]

How about a few soups that could be made ahead and frozen?

If you plan to usea crockpot, try those liners for easy cleanup and foil pans for stuff going from the freezer to the oven.

 

[Arielfan98]

Do you have a Sam's Club, BJ's, Costco near you? Try there for these items....

Breakfast:
-Cereal and milk (almond/soy milk for vegan)
-Another easy option is oatmeal everyday. You can even make it in a slow cooker and sprinkle frozen berries (or fresh) and a little brown sugar on top.
-Purchase frozen pancakes/waffles. Serve with vegan butter and maple syrup.
-Bagels, toast, english muffins and a side of cream cheese/vegan cream cheese or butter for the vegan.
-Cheapest fruits are apples and bananas
-You can freeze a pan with frittata ahead of time and bake it in the oven (but this isn't vegan)

Lunch/dinner:
-Bulk purchase of luncheon meats like turkey, ham, salami plus peanut butter
-Bulk purchase of bread
-Chili (you can easily make a small separate pot for the vegan w/ only beans). You can make ahead of time and freeze. Serve with rice or chips.
-Pasta and sauce. Just boil the pasta. You can make meat sauce ahead of time/freeze it and reserve a small amount of reg. tomato sauce for the vegan.
-Chicken stir-fry (tofu for vegan). Freeze ahead of time and serve with rice.
-Any favorite soup you want to prepare ahead of time can also be made and frozen. Serve with bread. My mother has a fantastic beef vegetable recipe if you'd like just PM me.

Easy Snacks/Side dishes:
-Microwavable vegetables
-Microwavable rice
-Pasta salad
-Bean salad
-Bread (w/ butter, peanut butter, etc.)
-Apples/bananas

 

[Disneyliscious]

Large meals to cook in big pots/pans (and can all be frozen):

Chicken and Dumplings
Chili
Spaghetti
Meat Loaf
BBQ
Lasagna
Beef Stew
Turkey Casserole. Yep. Turkey. Can be cooked ahead of time and remove the meat to make a casserole. Freeze it in bags until needed.

For non frozen ideas:
Pizza night
Hot Dogs with toppings (maybe do a campfire with marshmallows)
Sandwich night (sub style, rolls, pita's, be creative)
Burgers on the grill (as you mentioned)
Tater Tot casserole (tots, chopped ham or Spam, cheese, heavy cream, bake)
Fried Chicken (can usually buy this at local gas stations (KFC is WAY too high)). Throw in some instant potatoes, packet of gravy, rolls and BAM. Dinner.

There's you 14 dinner idea's. I'm not a breakfast person so I can't help you there.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Check adventuresofanurse and thisolegal for great instapot recipes. In mine I like to make burrito bowls, spaghetti and meatballs, soups, Italian beef sandwiches, etc. All of those are good for a crowd.

When we have guests, breakfast is quiche. It is quick and easy to throw a couple together and you can make different varieties for diff tastes.

Tacos/nachos bar is great for a crowd too!

 

[TwoMisfits]

So, you have a vegan...I'd try to plan "the main meal" or "the lunch plan" every 2-3 days to be something completely in that person's wheelhouse (so they could eat extras for a few days, while having main meal sides, since cooking vegan for 15 for 2 weeks might get old)...

Here are a few inexpensive ideas (that don't use "replacement" ingredients that can get pricey) and ways to make them "fast" for a weeknight...
1. Penne with Sweet Summer Vegetables, Pine Nuts, and Herbs (can put parm out for topping) https://food52.com/recipes/18440-pe...Food52+Shop&company=Skimlinks&website=8248019 - precook the veg the day before and just warm it up in the sauce...

Or if it's too hot to turn on the oven, this one takes as long as the pasta takes to cook...
2. Avocado Pasta https://damndelicious.net/2014/06/20/avocado-pasta/

Another make ahead (since chili is always better the next day)...

3. Three-Bean Vegan Chili (it says vegetarian, but the whole recipe is vegan)...use the beans you like (and make ahead b/c chili just gets better with age) ...http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/three-bean-vegetarian-chili

4. And if you want a cold soup instead...Vegan Gazpacho https://www.thespruce.com/vegan-gazpacho-soup-3377883

Something that can also be done fast that's a little more out there...

5. Crazy, Creamy Chickpea Curry https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/254692/crazy-creamy-chickpea-curry/?internalSource=recipe hub&referringId=1661&referringContentType=recipe hub&clickId=cardslot 79

6. Mexican Rice Salad https://www.plantbasedcooking.com/recipe/mexican-rice-bean-salad/ (great b/c it can chill 30 min - 24 hours, so it is a good 2-mealer for the vegan right out of the fridge)

7. Loaded Vegan Taco Fries (for the meat eaters, just have some taco meat around) - https://www.thissavoryvegan.com/loaded-vegan-taco-fries/ (you can skip the vegan ranch and just cream the avocado with some lime juice or add salsa to give you the "wet" topping)...

 

[TwoMisfits]

Good snacks to have around (all vegan friendly)
- Pretzels
- Hummus and Pita Chips
- Edamame
- Every fresh fruit you can think of that's shelf stable (save the ones that are in the fridge for meals - let folks grab from a bowl for snacks)
- Dried Fruit Bags / Fruit Cups /Applesauce Pouches
- Chips with Salsa/Guacamole/Bean Dip
- Air-popped popcorn in oil
- Bagels with Peanut Butter
- Popsicles (it's summer - gotta have them)
- Frozen all-fruit bars
- Sorbet

 

[TwoMisfits]

Keep breakfast easy...it's summer, so don't cook...keep it continental and grab and go for everyone...
Have the fixings for coffee and tea...have milk and OJ around, too (and a non-dairy milk if the vegan guest drinks it)
Keep a few cereals/oatmeals around (Cheerios and Quaker Oats never fail, and Life cereal is fully vegan)
Keep a bread product or two around (bagels/white bread/wheat bread/English Muffins/etc) and spreads (butter, jam, peanut butter, cream cheese)
Keep a pastry around (muffin/danish/donut)
Keep a tub of plain or vanilla yogurt
Leave the shelf-stable fresh fruit bowl where folks can grab it and have some dried fruit and/or nuts (if you buy them - some like stir ins for things)
And if you want to be really nice, get a bag of predone hardboiled eggs for anyone who likes to start with extra protein

You can see how the week goes and what folks are eating and restock midway through the week...

And rather than pulling this all out every day, just have a list hanging in the kitchen letting folks know what's available and where it is (since you'll be at work)...and have them cross off anything that gets totally used up (so you know what needs buying) - a little type A, but it will help you since your time will be valuable...

 

[FQLover]

Posters have given you fantastic meal ideas, but Holy Moly! I would have to take a full week off work to shop, prep, cook and freeze all these items. I would, also, never be able to do this because I have only one regular sized fridge (and small freezer within it). My pantry and counters and dining room table for six could not hold all this food, either.

Plus, I would not be able to afford, financially, to fully feed 15 people for two weeks!

OP, do you have to pay for all this yourself? Do you have to have all the menus ready, food cooked and ready to thaw, etc. for this big of a crowd for half of a month?? Could others chip in $$, work in little "food teams," on a rotating basis, if 42 meals are actually going to be eaten at your house for all these people?

I guess that I would just find this terribly daunting, but the other DIS boarders who responded did not seem to feel it would be that hard to do. I would be signing up people into five teams of three and giving each team three different days that they were responsible for planning, shopping, feeding, and cleaning up the kitchen--plus, I would give them a map to the nearest large grocery store. In the meantime, I would be washing, drying, and folding bath towels , hand towels, washcloths, kitchen towels, sheets and pillowcases every couple of evenings after dinner.

It does sound kind of fun as "community living" with family and others you are close to, but if the whole thing were on me, or even on me and a spouse, I would collapse!

I hope that you have a great time with them this summer. You must report back and tell us what you came up with and how it all went!

 

[pixiegoose]

Posters have given you fantastic meal ideas, but Holy Moly! I would have to take a full week off work to shop, prep, cook and freeze all these items. I would, also, never be able to do this because I have only one regular sized fridge (and small freezer within it). My pantry and counters and dining room table for six could not hold all this food, either.

Plus, I would not be able to afford, financially, to fully feed 15 people for two weeks!

OP, do you have to pay for all this yourself? Do you have to have all the menus ready, food cooked and ready to thaw, etc. for this big of a crowd for half of a month?? Could others chip in $$, work in little "food teams," on a rotating basis, if 42 meals are actually going to be eaten at your house for all these people?

I guess that I would just find this terribly daunting, but the other DIS boarders who responded did not seem to feel it would be that hard to do. I would be signing up people into five teams of three and giving each team three different days that they were responsible for planning, shopping, feeding, and cleaning up the kitchen--plus, I would give them a map to the nearest large grocery store. In the meantime, I would be washing, drying, and folding bath towels , hand towels, washcloths, kitchen towels, sheets and pillowcases every couple of evenings after dinner.

It does sound kind of fun as "community living" with family and others you are close to, but if the whole thing were on me, or even on me and a spouse, I would collapse!

I hope that you have a great time with them this summer. You must report back and tell us what you came up with and how it all went!

Same! Also, *I* personally couldn’t handle having that many people in my space for that long of a period of time, regardless of who they are.

Good luck, op! I’d suggest working out all bathroom/kitchen/dining/whatever schedules and expectations ahead of time and make it extremely clear what is expected of each guest and what *you*will/will not do/provide. It’s your house, not a hotel (unless you *do* actually live in a hotel!), so make sure everyone is on the same page with expectations.

 

[arminnie]

I've never had to do two weeks worth of meals, but I've often had meals for 15-20 people. I try to accommodate vegan, allergies (beef and mushrooms), gluten free, and food intolerance (pasta - it's a texture issue). And sometimes religious dietary limitations.

Here are some of my go to dinners:
Red beans and rice with sausage (turkey and/or pork) on the side, green salad
Taco salad - I serve cheese, beans, chicken and beef on the side for people to add according to their preferences, tortilla chips
Mixed bean and corn chili, green salad, cornbread, cheese, sour cream and onions on the side for garnish

I'd make breakfast mostly self serve with cereal , muffins, English muffins, bagels, toast etc. Maybe do a breakfast casserole a day or two with scrambled eggs (easiest to do for a crowd) and bacon/sausage for another day or two.

Not sure where you live - but sometimes there are local specialties like kolaches (TX) or beignets (Louisiana) that you might share with your visitors.

 

[Hikergirl]

Posters have given you fantastic meal ideas, but Holy Moly! I would have to take a full week off work to shop, prep, cook and freeze all these items. I would, also, never be able to do this because I have only one regular sized fridge (and small freezer within it). My pantry and counters and dining room table for six could not hold all this food, either.

Plus, I would not be able to afford, financially, to fully feed 15 people for two weeks!

OP, do you have to pay for all this yourself? Do you have to have all the menus ready, food cooked and ready to thaw, etc. for this big of a crowd for half of a month?? Could others chip in $$, work in little "food teams," on a rotating basis, if 42 meals are actually going to be eaten at your house for all these people?

I guess that I would just find this terribly daunting, but the other DIS boarders who responded did not seem to feel it would be that hard to do. I would be signing up people into five teams of three and giving each team three different days that they were responsible for planning, shopping, feeding, and cleaning up the kitchen--plus, I would give them a map to the nearest large grocery store. In the meantime, I would be washing, drying, and folding bath towels , hand towels, washcloths, kitchen towels, sheets and pillowcases every couple of evenings after dinner.

It does sound kind of fun as "community living" with family and others you are close to, but if the whole thing were on me, or even on me and a spouse, I would collapse!

I hope that you have a great time with them this summer. You must report back and tell us what you came up with and how it all went!

I was assuming that guests would be pitching in with the help and the money. Maybe that is presumptuous but that is how it would be if I had a house full of guests for 2 weeks. I would have no problem asking them either, this isn't like inviting people for a one time BBQ.
I also wouldn't go out of my way to provide 3 vegan meals a day for one out of 15 people. I would make sure I had some options that they could prepare for just them, but I can't imagine cooking just vegan or making sure there is vegan and non-vegan option for every meal for 2 weeks.

 

[TwoMisfits]

One other thing I would do - make one meal for each night, not 7. Have a "back up" meal for anyone who hates the night's selection of the last night's leftovers and/or PBJ (just verify your bread is vegan - most is) or bagged microwavable chicken tenders (these last 2 options are especially for the kids) that someone can get themselves, but again, let folks know that this is the plan, so folks don't end up making/eating your next night's dinner plans accidentally...