What is a Good Meal to Feed a Crowd?

It happens to most of us at some time. We need to feed 20 to 50 people for a party, celebration, or event. It can seem overwhelming, but when you think about it, other people do it all the time.

What is a good meal to feed a crowd? First, think of how food service businesses do it. There are many foods that can be made ahead and chilled or reheated. Large buffets serve crowds of people with these types of foods. Meals based on pasta or rice with a protein and some sides are a great way to feed a crowd.

Whether this is your first time to plan a large meal, or if you have done it before but would like a simple and easy plan, anyone can create a great meal for a crowd.

Planning Meals to Feed a Large Group

If you’ve ever been to a wedding reception, a large buffet, or even a school lunchroom, you have probably noticed that they have some things in common.

Most of the foods do not involve much or any last minute fussing and prep. Many things are made ahead and kept warm in steam pans. Some convenience items are often used.

Things to Know

• The simplest way to serve a large group is buffet style.
• Plan where to put your serving tables, or maximize counter space.
• Avoid foods that are soft and runny on the plate.
• Plan a menu that is easy for guests to serve themselves.
• Place condiments near the foods they will accompany.
• Keep cold foods on ice and keep hot foods warm in crockpots or something similar.
• Local grocery stores can often provide you with cooked meats, breads, fruit and vegetable plates, and desserts.

Suggested Menu Items to Feed a Large Group

Entrees ( serve 2 choices if possible):

• Pot Roast
• Meatballs with pasta
• Pasta with Chicken in Alfredo Sauce
• Pulled Pork
• Chicken in Curry Sauce over Rice
• Baked Potato Bar
• Chef Salad Bar or Taco Salad Bar
• Lasagne
• Sliced Ham
• Roasted Turkey Breast
• Baked Salmon
• A selection of Sliders (mini sandwiches)

Sides and Salads (choose sides with food safety in mind)

• Pasta
• Flavored rice such as Spanish, Cilantro Lime, Cheesy
• Baked or mashed potatoes
• Creamed corn
• Baked beans
• Broccoli in cheese sauce
• Cole slaw
• Green salad
• Gelatin salad
• Marinated vegetables
• Pasta salad with Italian type dressing
• Melon wedges
• Wedge salads

Desserts

• Sheet cakes
• Bar cookies
• Cupcakes
• Hot fudge sundaes
• Ice cream sandwiches topped with whipped cream and a cherry
• Berry shortcake
• Brownies
• Rice krispie squares with sprinkles

Sample Menus

2 or 3 Kinds of Sliders (ground beef, ham and cheese, bbq chicken)
Pasta Salad with Italian dressing
Melon Wedges
Marinated vegetables
Chocolate Sheet Cake

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Pasta
Marinara Sauce
Chicken Alfredo Sauce
Green salad
Gelatin Salad
French Bread
Brownies

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Baked Potatoes topped with:
Pulled Pork
Cheese, Butter, Sour cream and
French Fried Onions
BBQ sauce
Cole slaw
Creamed corn
Cupcakes

Choose foods that are generally known to be liked by most people. Take into account foods that might be an allergy problem for some. Set a budget. The drinks you serve can have a large effect on how much the meal will cost, so if money is a concern, consider serving something like sparkling water with lemons, limes, or other fruit floated in the serving container.

How to Know the Quantity of Food You Will Need

One way to calculate quantities is per meal. Then multiply these amounts by the people to be served. A 1.25 Pound (20.5 ounce) “Meal” per person is:

• A serving of protein (6 ounces)
• A vegetable side (3.5 ounces)
• A starch side (3.5 ounces)
• A salad (2 ounces – equals one cup of shredded lettuce)
• Bread or rolls (2 oz)
• A dessert (3.5 ounces)

Another way is to calculate total (uncooked) amounts:

FOOD	SERVES 25	SERVES 50
chicken or turkey breast	10 lbs	20 lbs
ham or roast beef	10 lbs	20 lbs
pork	9 lbs	18 lbs
hamburgers	9 lbs	18 lbs
bread (loaves)	3	5
rolls	50	100
baked beans	5 quarts	2 1/2 gallons
cabbage for cole slaw	5 lbs	10 lbs
lettuce for salads	5 heads	10 heads
potatoes	25	50
salad dressing	3 cups	1 1/2 quarts
cakes	two 9 x 13	four 9 x 13
ice cream	1 1/2 gallon	2 1/2 gallons
pasta	three 16 oz. pkgs.	six 16 oz. pkgs.
rice, uncooked	2-3 lbs	3-4 lbs

Try this neat food calculator The Guest_Imator

Some Helpful Things You Might Need

A good roasting pan for cooking large cuts of meat, pork, or turkey. A big pan can also be used for serving large amounts of things like pulled pork, or a pile of baked potatoes.

An instant read meat thermometer. These are not just for meat, they can be used for candy making and deep frying, and also to make sure your foods are at safe temperatures.

A large (20 qt.) stock pot for cooking pasta or rice.

Related Questions

Can pasta be cooked ahead? Yes, this is how restaurants make large amounts of pasta. The pasta is cooked until not quite done, then drained and chilled. When it’s time to serve it, reheat the pasta by adding it to boiling water just long enough for it to heat through and finish cooking, then serve.

What is the cheapest meal to feed a crowd? Generally, meals that contain less meat, or cheaper kinds of meat, will be the least expensive. For example, a hot dog bar with toppings, a Chef’s salad bar, a nacho bar, etc. Use inexpensive but filling side dishes such as macaroni and cheese and roasted potatoes.

Examples of Recipes Scaled for a Crowd