Vacation meals ? spin off (big group)

[ansley]

We will be in 2 houses (10 in each house) for 7 nights. We have to cook for everyone for 1 or 2 days each family. What suggestions do you have for a big group that is relatively easy, quick to fix and doesn't cost a lot?

Ages 1, 2, 2.5, 3, 3, 9, 9, 10, 12, 16 and the rest adults.

If stuff is packed in ice, will it make an about 8hr trip? Does thawed milk taste watery?

TIA

[mek42]

Chili dogs. Folks who don't like chili can just have hot dogs, folks who don't like hot dogs can just have chili and the folks who do like chili dogs will be smiling. I like chili dogs and will be happy to taste test for you if you need gustametric analytical support.

[druthb00]

Chili dogs. Folks who don't like chili can just have hot dogs, folks who don't like hot dogs can just have chili and the folks who do like chili dogs will be smiling. I like chili dogs and will be happy to taste test for you if you need gustametric analytical support.

ROFL....everything said here is true...but you'd better make the chili homemade because even the folks who do like chili, probably won't like canned chili lol. Just sayin....

I'm a fan of tacos/burritos/nachos. Brown a few pounds of ground beef and everyone can add what they want on top of hard shells, soft shells, or just plain tortilla chips.

Pasta might work well, too. Not to mention it doesn't really get any cheaper....

And to the other questions; A group of friends and I went from IN to TN a couple years back, about 9 hours and everything made it just fine in the cooler. I don't know about frozen milk, though. Can't that just be picked up at a gas station when you get close to your destination?

[ansley]

Yes, we could get milk there. I was just thinking instead of packing foods in ice that will be thrown out, use frozen OJ and Milk for some of the ice.

What about snacks?

[druthb00]

Yes, we could get milk there. I was just thinking instead of packing foods in ice that will be thrown out, use frozen OJ and Milk for some of the ice.

What about snacks?

Ohhh I see. I thought you were trying to preserve the milk longer hehe. I do suggest at least freezing water in milk cartons, blocks last longer than the little ice maker cubes.

Hmmmm, snacks. I'd probably just buy whatever was on sale the week before you leave. Nuts, crackers, cheese, apples, celery, dried fruit....ooo maybe you could throw together a trail mix of some sort? Chex mix, cheerios, nuts, fruits, granola, sunflower seeds, etc. etc.?? You could also make hummus for very very little money. Chickpeas are like 70 cents a can here. Pretzels and cut up veggies are good for hummus. Tuna dip for crackers or corn chips is another option, but I definitely wouldn't make that ahead obviously hehe

[starsapphire]

You can make a huge batch of spaghetti for cheap. Tater tot casserole. Big pot of minestrone soup and salad.

[jasper]

Things I find easy when cooking for large groups/one dish meals seem to me to be cheaper.Chilie,soup,pasta and sause.For snacks pop corn,rasins,grapes,celery with cream cheeze.Have fun.

[mek42]

Pepperoni bread maybe?

[Contrary Housewife]

If everything is kept at the proper temp it should be fine in a cooler for any length of time.


Cookouts are always popular. Get a variety of burgers, brats, hot dogs, and chicken quarters. Everyone can be happy. Bake a big pan of beans to go with it.

Make chili in the crock pot. Have a simple salad on the side.

Sandwich bar... get some deli ham and turkey (those are usually the cheapest/on sale), cheese, slice several tomatoes, tear up some lettuce, etc and let folks assemble their own. To make sure everyone gets enough, portion out the meat and roll it up, like they do in sandwich shops. Store brand 'bakery' breads are usually pretty cheap, or you can get sandwich rolls.

Big pan of lasagne or baked ziti (or any large tube shape). Salad or steamed veg on the side.

For breakfast, there are a bunch of recipes for "breakfast casseroles" on the web. Some like baked omelets some more like french toast casserole.

[druthb00]

If everything is kept at the proper temp it should be fine in a cooler for any length of time.


Cookouts are always popular. Get a variety of burgers, brats, hot dogs, and chicken quarters. Everyone can be happy. Bake a big pan of beans to go with it.
Make chili in the crock pot. Have a simple salad on the side.

Sandwich bar... get some deli ham and turkey (those are usually the cheapest/on sale), cheese, slice several tomatoes, tear up some lettuce, etc and let folks assemble their own. To make sure everyone gets enough, portion out the meat and roll it up, like they do in sandwich shops. Store brand 'bakery' breads are usually pretty cheap, or you can get sandwich rolls.

Big pan of lasagne or baked ziti (or any large tube shape). Salad or steamed veg on the side.

For breakfast, there are a bunch of recipes for "breakfast casseroles" on the web. Some like baked omelets some more like french toast casserole.

I'm going to have to respectfully disagree with this one. Baked beans + 10 people + 1 house = disaster

On another note, I like the sandwich idea

[TigerGirl1226]

to cut down on prep time, i'd think of things that are similar yet different, kwim? for your 2 meals, have both be based on ground meat. before you go, brown a ton of ground meat so it can travel in the cooler already cooked. when it's your turn, you can make a quick spaghetti once and a taco bar the other time.

[Libby]

Oatmeal! But cook it at your location, you can even use the crockpot

[shortstack]

-Veggie Soup (really any soup) with PB&J or Grilled Cheese
-Pinto Beans and Cornbread
-Fried Potatoes and Weiners
-Chicken on the Grill with Baked Potatoes-You can usually get Chicken Breast for 1.99 a pound and cut each large breast up into 3 portions/with a Marinade or BBQ Sauce (the trick to BBQ sauce on the grill is to add it the last 15 minutes). When we have large parties in our back yard I cut the chicken into bite size pieces stick it in a foil pan,cook until 165 in the center and then add BBQ sauce and cook for 15 more minutes. I also cook a BUNCH of Baked Potatoes in my Microwave (around 10-15 minutes per bunch) and when they are cooked I take them out of the Microwave and put them on the Grill to keep warm and get those nice grill marks on the outside.
-Baked Potato "Bar"- Cook the Potatoes in the Microwave and have a variety of things to put on them including butter,sour cream,cheese,maybe even Chili Leftover from having Hotdogs and Chili
- Stromboli found here (made 3 of these in less then an hour to feed all of the sellers at my neighborhood Yard Sale):Super Easy Stromboli Littlefrugalista's Blog
- Hobo Dinnerfound here:Hobo Dinner Littlefrugalista's Blog
-Breakfast For Dinner-Bacon ,Eggs,Gravy,Biscuits,Oatmeal,Grits etc...
-Mexican is always cheap to make-Pack of Tortillas,1 lb Ground Beef,Taco Seasoning Make Your Own Taco Seasoning Littlefrugalista's Blog Cheese, Refried Beans ,Lettuce,Tomato and Frozen Corn on the Cob.
-Hamburgers and Home Fries(Easy Healthy Home Fries Littlefrugalista's Blog)


I'm sure I can come up with more but that's a good place to start

[shortstack]

Breakfast Casserole- Top Recipe on here:Got stale bread? Littlefrugalista's Blog

If everything is kept at the proper temp it should be fine in a cooler for any length of time.


Cookouts are always popular. Get a variety of burgers, brats, hot dogs, and chicken quarters. Everyone can be happy. Bake a big pan of beans to go with it.

Make chili in the crock pot. Have a simple salad on the side.

Sandwich bar... get some deli ham and turkey (those are usually the cheapest/on sale), cheese, slice several tomatoes, tear up some lettuce, etc and let folks assemble their own. To make sure everyone gets enough, portion out the meat and roll it up, like they do in sandwich shops. Store brand 'bakery' breads are usually pretty cheap, or you can get sandwich rolls.

Big pan of lasagne or baked ziti (or any large tube shape). Salad or steamed veg on the side.

For breakfast, there are a bunch of recipes for "breakfast casseroles" on the web. Some like baked omelets some more like french toast casserole.

[lisaflex]

pasta salad and burgers and hot dogs along w/ a veggie try. always crowd pleasing.