Feeding the masses: what to cook for large gatherings (2024)

These easy ideas mean you'll never be caught out when you're trying to feed a group! Keep your time in the kitchen to a minimum when you serve these crowd-pleasing ideas.

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What to cook for a crowd

Be it a long lunch with a big group of friends, a meal with the extended family or a dinner party for a large group, feeding the masses can be a challenge for the person on cooking duties. But, rather than spending all day at the stove whipping up a wide variety of foods, you can pick a couple of delicious and substantial dishes to serve alongside salads and bread at your table.

When feeding the masses, think big: pastas, one-pot dishes, and food that is perfect for sharing amongst many. Frittatas and slices that are easily divided can be handy for any occasion, as can hearty salads and large bakes. Here, we’ve put together a round-up of crowd-pleasing favourites for feeding the masses, with minimal effort and maximum satisfaction.

Tempt taste buds with these warming, filling and nourishing meals. Try them at your next gathering, your guests will be running back for more!

You can never have too much bolognese sauce! You can easily stretch out theserves with more pasta, and it freezes well if you have leftovers.

Be the host with the most delicious roast. Shred the shoulder and mix it with the lentils, then use it to fill dinner rolls or naan to feed more people.

A big pie goes far when it comes to feeding lots of people, tosssome garlic bread into the oven and add asalad to round it off.

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Feeding the masses: what to cook for large gatherings (2024)

FAQs

What is the cheapest food that can feed a lot of people? ›

Pasta is one of the cheapest and most filling pantry staples you can buy, and that's exactly why it's the perfect food to feed to a crowd! Plus, everyone loves a good pasta dish. Grab yourself a buffet server warming tray so you can pop your cooked pasta inside and keep it warm all evening long!

Which type of meal service is best for a large crowd? ›

Crowd-pleasing favorites like sliders, tacos, pasta dishes, and finger foods are ideal for large gatherings as they appeal to a wide range of tastes and preferences. Keep the menu fun and simple.

What is the best food to cater for a party on a budget? ›

The cheapest food to cater is any rice or noodle-based cultural cuisine. Mexican, Indian, and Thai dishes are delicious and affordable. Or, if you're hosting an event during the day, serve brunch and breakfast items.

How to feed 100 people cheaply? ›

Serving budget-friendly cuisines like salads, sandwiches and pasta dishes can be a very cost-effective choice. Or, if you're looking for a more casual option, how about a barbeque? Burgers, hot dogs and other grill-oriented foods are sure to be crowd favorites, and they won't rack up a big bill.

How do you calculate food for a large crowd? ›

The overall rule that most caterers and party planners use is to calculate a pound of food per person, and a half pound per child. Professionals typically recommend breaking it down further from there: Aim for 2 to 4 ounces of appetizers per person—think 5 to 6 bites.

What food will fill you up the most? ›

Whole, unprocessed foods that are high in protein and fiber will generally leave you more sated, which means you feel full for a longer period of time. Some of the most filling foods include boiled potatoes, oatmeal, eggs, fish, Greek yogurt, and popcorn.

What is most people's least favorite food? ›

The most hated food title goes to the anchovy, with 50% of those polled saying they hated the fish. Of that number, 58% of anchovy haters were women and 43% were men. With Halloween coming up, it might be prudent to stock up on any candy other than black licorice.

What is a large formal meal for many people? ›

A banquet is defined as a formal meal for a large group of people. Banquets are usually celebratory occasions, often with some sort of recognition ceremony held during the event.

How to feed 30 guests on a budget? ›

Baked potato party. Buy enough potatoes for 30 people. Get smaller potatoes rather then large ones so people can have several with different toppings. For toppings make a chili, A curry, bacon, spring onions, cheese, cheese sauce, sour cream, butter, and roasted garlic butter, anything else you want.

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