10 of my favorite meals for large groups

One of the bedrock parts of our family culture is inviting people over to our home.

We try to have a different family over for Sunday dinner at least once or twice a month and we also host quite a few get-togethers over the year, including our annual Pi Day party, our New Year’s Eve fondue party, and lots of other events.

Over the years I’ve gotten better at putting on dinner for a bigger group and I’ve had several requests for a list of my go-to meals for large groups.

These are tried and true favorite easy meals for large groups that we’ve made dozens of times!

meals for large groups

10 of my favorite meals for large groups

15-Minute Thai Chicken and Noodle Soup
This is such a winner – it’s super fast, flavorful without being too spicy, and gluten and dairy free. Add a pile of naan bread and some fruit and dinner is served!

5 Ingredient Green Chile Enchiladas
These enchiladas are THE best enchiladas, plus you can assemble them ahead of time and then just pop them in the oven before dinner time.

Easy Indian Butter Chicken
This is a deceptively simple recipe and one my girls request most of the time on their birthday. Plus, when you have rice, most kids will eat that even if they don’t like the sauce that goes on top. This is also really easy to double, which makes it an even greater meal for large groups.

Slow Cooker Shredded Beef and Pepperoncini Sandwiches
I LOVE a good crockpot meal for large groups because you can throw it in first thing in the morning and you don’t have to worry about it while you get your house cleaned up or set the table. And these are super delicious.

Roasted Vegetable and Chicken Rice Bowls with Guacamole and Ranch
This is not the easiest, quickest meal in the world, but it’s so good for a group because everyone can build their own (kind of like Hawaiian Haystacks but with no cream of chicken soup). I’ve made this at least a dozen times when we’ve had people over for dinner and it’s a hit every time (and this is the dish Bart always suggests we serve when we have company over).

Sweet & Spicy Chili Polenta
I like this dish because it feels fancy but it’s really super simple (and you can make the chili ahead of time). Like the previous recipe, it’s a perfect “build-a-meal” dish. And any chance you have to Fritos? I say take it.

Crockpot Jalapeño Popper Chili
You know I love my crockpot and never more than when we’re having people over. And you cannot go wrong with a dish that includes cream cheese and bacon.

Balsamic Chicken Pasta with Spinach and Baby Tomatoes and Goat Cheese
I am not a huge pasta fan, but this one is SO DANG GOOD. It feels a little fancier than your average pasta dish, but it’s still super easy and family friendly.

Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
This is another pasta dish that makes me rethink my stance on pasta. So flavorful, delicious and an easy meal for a crowd!

Shepherd’s Pie
This a one of those perfect meals for large groups because you can assemble it ahead of time and bake it just before dinner is served while you prep everything else.

 

What are your go-to meals for large groups? And pizza delivery is a perfectly acceptable answer!

 

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8 Comments

  1. I’m a fan of all build your own meals. Hawaiian haystacks (Mel’s kitchen cafe has an excellent sauce without cream of chicken), taco salad, tostadas, Mexican spuds (baked potatoes with chili & cheese and toppings), etc. But I’ve never considered doing soups before for crowds. We eat soup all the time so not sure why I haven’t ever gone that route. But I will in the future!

  2. I love your green chili enchiladas recipe. I recently made it for company we were having for dinner and they wanted the recipe. I always find your recipes to be approachable and they are pretty delicious!

  3. We love doing a taco/nacho bar. All of the topping are relatively cheap so we can splurge a little on the meat. We usually do ground beef but have also done pulled pork nachos which are THE best.

  4. Our #1 Tiny Spicy Chicken with an Asian Salad and Rice. A chocolate Bundt cake for dessert.

    Homemade Sheetpan Pizza.

    We also do a Cuban meal if we have the time- a little more work.

  5. I love this list! We host often too and I’m always happy for new ideas. Plus your recipes are some of my very favorites so I trust all of these 👌🏼 (Some of our family favorites from this blog are butter chicken, Thai cilantro chicken, and Thai chicken soup).

  6. I like to do a chili bar. Crock pot chili then all the fixings: sour cream, cheese, cilantro, avocado. Maybe some bakery pan buns and butter!

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