Feeding 25 people cheap/easy?

[la79al]

We are having the babys birthday party this weekend. What started out small is getting bigger and bigger. Right now it looks like we are at about 25 people, mostly adults. And the clincher is that DH is working all day that day so it is me, a 5 year old and an 8 year old to prep for the party and watch the baby. As a result, I need as easy but cheap as possible. Any suggestions?

 

[aprilchem]

Goodness! I would make up a bunch of lasagnas after your kids go to bed in the evening this week and then bake throw them in the oven an hour before the party. You could even freeze them if you made them today and take them out to thaw a day ahead.

 

[gmboy95]

This has Grill time written all over it....two 25 burger packs at BJ's....lots of buns, condiments.....a big pasta salad, regular salad...and a giant cake!!!....oh and a handy BYOB email....also a 30 pack of hot dogs

 

[verleniahall]

Spagetti

 

[tzolkin]

Tacos?

I did two large group events last week (one 70 people for teacher appreciation and one 40 people for church) and tacos was by far the easiest I have ever done.

Basically all you have to cook is the meat (beef you can do in advance and then keep warm in a crockpot or chicken you can just cook directly in the crockpot and then shred before serving). I had beef, chicken, and black beans but you could just do one option. Everything else is just a matter of pouring into serving bowls (salsa, sour cream cheese, olives, guacamole, lettuce, etc). We had soft shells, hard shells, tortilla chips, and lots of lettuce (some people made salads) so everyone could make exactly what they like.

 

[MommyBryn]

This is every one of our bday parties! ALL my family is local and we are pretty close, so we get 30-40 people for each birthday. And I have to prep alone each time, too! Last time we did crockpot chicken fajitas. http://www.cookingclassy.com/2015/01/slow-cooker-chicken-fajitas/
We've also ordered pizzas for a lot of the parties, or grilled (but that much meat can be SPENDY!!).

 

[kymom99]

OP if someone offers to help by bringing a dish, take them up on it. My sister always offers to make something for us and it really takes some of the pressure off of you. Of course you can return the favor later.

 

[Hikergirl]

Pulled pork and/or pulled chicken sliders
Baked ziti
Taco bar

 

[MinnieSweetheart]

I second the grill. Very little prep other than laying out condiments, buns and toppings. Depending where you live, right now is likely great grill weather.

My second choice would be pulled pork or lasagna for cheap, but I wouldn't want everyone eating tomato based sauces in my house...

 

[MariMama]

When you're stuck doing all the prep work yourself for food, in addition to having to clean your house and do childcare all at the same time, that is when I buy whatever is necessary. Homemade goes out the window. Deli foods, ask others to bring food, etc.

 

[havaneselover]

I'd be looking for a deal on pizzas.

 

[tnklvr]

Baked Mostaccoli and salad and french bread. Cook your noodles, add some sauce and ricotta mixed with motz cheese and Italian spices then bake it. Only think simpler is spaghetti. I make one pan with meat sauce one without or do a half and half if only one pan.

 

[princessesintraining]

I second the taco bar. Last summer we had a pool party for my husband's department and their families. I pre cooked beef taco meat and then heated up the day of in a crockpot. I also had shredded chicken that I cooked with a bouillon cubes that I get in the ethic section that was tomato based in another crockpot.

I served with homemade refried beans. (Canned pinto beans and milk. Mashed together while cooking on the stove top and added some shredded cheese.

I also had lots of cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, hard and soft shells, guacamole, sour cream for toppings. I did some kind of corn, tomato and black bean salad as a side, but it wasn't a hit.

Add some tortilla chips and salsa for people wanting nachos.

Wanted to add, I also did this for one of my kids birthday parties and it was a big hit. It even made it easy to feed my BIL who is gluten intolerant because he could eat the hard taco shells.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

Baked noodles of some kine. Whether it be spaghetti or lasagne or something else.

Add a salad and bread and it is dinner.

 

[Ensusieasm]

We are having the babys birthday party this weekend. What started out small is getting bigger and bigger. Right now it looks like we are at about 25 people, mostly adults. And the clincher is that DH is working all day that day so it is me, a 5 year old and an 8 year old to prep for the party and watch the baby. As a result, I need as easy but cheap as possible. Any suggestions?

Since it's you and a 1 year old and two small kids, and no help.....have 10 large pizzas delivered. Or get some long subs and slice them up. Get some assorted chips and dips. Cake and ice cream in little single serve cups ( no scooping ). You can't grill and watch three kids at the same time.

 

[tobikaye]

You can also check out places like GFS for items that you can bake and then make into sandwiches. We take a BBQ Pork or Beef dish with small slider style buns for some outings. We bake it and then put it into a crock pot so we do not have to worry about keeping it hot.

You can also do a meat/cheese tray or PB&J sandwich tray for those that do not eat the BBQ dish.

We also tend to do the individual ice cream cups as much as possible as I always hate scooping the ice cream.

Pinterest is also good for party food ideas that can be prepared ahead of time or are quick and easy to do. I used that years ago for a baby shower where I was doing almost everything except for a few items on my own.

 

[Jake&IzzyLand]

Sweet baby rays crock pot chicken, pulled for sliders. Make as much as you need then warm in a big disposable aluminum pan before serving. I used kings Hawaiian buttery rolls.

Make a slaw using prepared mix in produce section.

Warm bush's baked beans in crock pot.

Set out potato chips.

Buy cake from Costco. Also big pail of ice cream.

Have it byob but provide bottled water and Capri suns for the kids.

 

[Cadiewampus]

If you have a couple crock pots go to Costco and get their two pack of boston butts. Use whatever rub you like season them. Let stand an hour or so then throw them in the crockpots on low for 12 hours. Pull them out and shred them. Put them back in the crock with whatever barbque sauce you like and turn on warm. Chips and maybe coleslaw and you are in business

 

[sleepymomof4]

Our Walmart has a 6 foot sub for $32 three meats and a cheese, they even put lettuce, tomato and onion on the side and include mayo and mustard. Beans, fruit salad and chips, so easy. And easy clean up : )

 

[Disneyliscious]

Hotdogs, buns, condiments, and chips. Make sweet (and unsweet) tea to drink. Cheap, fun, and not much work at all.