[Shelli_wnj]

Every friday night we have a fellowship for one of our ministries at church. They put me in charge - for the near future - of bringing a main dish. It is funded, however I am not used to cooking for a crowd and am at a loss as to what to bring. There are usually anywhere from 15-30 people. There are other, smaller dishes brought in by a few others, but the main dish will fall to me. Any suggestions? Thanks!
PS - I already have pulled pork and meatballs down - did those a few times already

 

[brennasmom]

How about tacos? You could do the meat in the crockpot and bring the sides?

 

[Ramona]

How about chili? Not hot but they can add hot sauce.

Lasagna?

Hamburgers in buns?

Spaghetti and meatballs?

Baked sausage with onion chunks and potato chunks?

 

[Libby]

Spaghetti

 

[MissSeetonFan]

From a long history of attending huge family gatherings - immediate family could be more than 20 people show up - and church gatherings:

taco salad - don't add the beans until right before serving or else the lettuce gets limp and the broken up chips get soggy

Tater tot casserole (also known as funeral potatoes, potato casserole and many other variations). Lots of recipes with and without meat (usually ham).

Pasta - back East Ziti is very popular and easy to make.

Hawaiian Haystacks - rice, chicken & gravy, pineapple, almond slivers, coconut, green onions and a bunch of other things. Set it out buffet style so people can choose toppings for the rice.

Sloppy Joes

 

[heartofmine]

Cowboy/Calico beans. Lots of recipes online for it.
Chicken and dumplings
Chicken casseroles.
Ham cooked in the crockpot.
Pot roast.
Turkey breast in the crockpot.

 

[HelloK]

Brisket w/ beans and tostadas.

 

[Hamada]

What age range are you serving?

Macaroni and cheese and hot dogs

Baked ziti

Pizza

Pancakes and sausage

I would look to see what is on sale meat wise. Also, ask around to local restaurants to see if they are willing to make a donation or provide a reduced entree.

 

[valerian]

You all are making me hungry!

 

[2ndGenGranola]

Some of the things we have at church are
hamburgers
subs
alfredo
flat enchiladas (tortilla, cheese, sauce, salad)
frito pie
baked chicken thighs/legs
pizza
potato bar
sloppy joes
green chili and potato stew
veggie beef soup

 

[Squidge]

How about Shepards' pie, cottage pie or a pasta bake?

 

[Josephhgoins]

One of the big fund raisers a lot of the local churches do is pinto beans and corn bread served with diced onions of course.

The beans can be cooked in the crock pot or two and the corn bread in the oven.

 

[pollypurebred39]

Chicken loaf was big a the granges years ago

Hot Open-Faced Chicken Loaf Sandwich Recipe : Emeril Lagasse : Food Network

 

[LuvMyHubby]

Maybe two different pasta dishes one with a tomato sauce and one alfredo, for folks who either cannot eat or don't like one or the other.

Can you cook at the church or do you have to do it at home and transport? Because if you can cook there you could make a couple different types of meatballs or soups/chowders or what not.

 

[frugal is fun]

You all are making me hungry!

I was just going to say the same thing! and its only 9:46 AM

 

[Lindsey]

I just went through this with my turn to cook for the youth group. 30 teens and they were tired of spaghetti and lasagna according to the teens who hung out at our house. I ended up making stroganoff and canned green beans. It turned out pretty cheap. This is the small recipe and I just made it larger.

1lbs ground beef (I use turkey)
1 can cream of mush
1 can cream of chick
1 8oz sour cream
1/2 stick of butter
eggs noddles
garlic, salt, and pepper

Ground your meat and mix everything together while boiling your egg noddles. When the egg noddles are cooked, I mix it in the meat mixture, so the noddle absorb the sauce. I also put fresh onion and garlic in the meat, but that can make it more pricey. When getting everything on sale and with coupons, I can make this for under $3. a pot and it makes a lot.

Good luck!

 

[lisaflex]

what about wedding soup? filling...easy...good and good for you.....sure to please any crowd

what about pasta fagiolio? cheap, good, easy, tasty....start w/ dried beans but be sure to soak w/ a bit of bkng soda first when serving to a crowd of strangers...