We throw a big party every year and I need ideas on what kind of food to make! It's usually about 10-15 adults and 10-15 kids. Ideally I would make as much as possible in advance and just warm things up or serve things cold. People drive in from far away so we tend to end up eating twice, once for a late lunch and again before they leave. In the past I've done homemade Mexican (way too much work), and hot dog / hamburger grilling (DH hates to stand at the grill all party). I've considered getting it catered / delivered because I feel like by the time I buy that many groceries it ends up being just as expensive, but not sure what type of food to get!
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Are you familiar with Kings Hawaiian Rolls? I had been seeing lots of videos on FB for these pull apart sandwiches using full "sheets" of the rolls. I tried them this weekend for a lil party we were having and it was great. You could definitely prep it all up front then just pop them in the oven real time? I have done little ruebens, ham n cheese, philly cheesesteaks and chicken parm!
I have a great recipe for a chocolate eclair casserole that is made the night before, its really just a process - so you could make a different variety or two.
Since you said you usually eat twice, you could do a brunch type meal first, then something more lunch/dinner later? Lots of make ahead brunch options...
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@HappyBaker: 1st meal-fruits,veggies,wraps... pastries. You can get these things at Sams, Costco,Aldi ???? If you catered look into BBQ like pulled pork,chicken,mac and cheese,cole slaw,chips- Mission BBQ does a good job and is reasonable. The kids you could do something different and lighter? depending on ages etc. I wouldn’t do the grill cause it takes DH away unless you grilled early and through it in the heating pans? Some options... hope that helps!
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For big family events my family often does meatballs in a crock pot with red sauce and then rolls and maybe a tray of baked ziti. A taco bar could work, brown the meat the day before and then keep it warm in a crock pot and just lay out tortillas and toppings for people to help themselves.
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For DD's third birthday we pre made three trays of macaroni and cheese - we just heated them up in the morning and put out a bunch of mix ins so people could customize. It's as a huge hit and very minimal work the day of.
You could also do pulled pork in a crock pot and then do sandwiches. You could pick up or make easy sides like potato salad, pasta salad, and a green salad.
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figure out ahead of time how many casserole dishes fit in your oven. Then premake that many options in those dishes. If you can only fit two dishes, I would do marinated baked chicken tenders and macaroni and cheese. Then I would do a crockpot with frozen meatballs and jarred sauce. Put out finger rolls and some mozzarella cheese next to that and people can make sandwiches. Then I would premake a garden salad. All that can be done the day before and you can just throw the hot things in just ahead of the party and not be stuck in the kitchen or at the grill.
Also, Sams club and BJs have some amazing options. I have bought their pulled pork and thrown it in the crockpot with the finger rolls and some premade cole slaw too.
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Wow these are all amazing ideas!! Thank you so much, I’m glad I asked!
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I'm also a big fan of catering out just the main food item - or central item. Like if you go the BBQ route, cater out the meat...then just make the mac n cheese, baked beans, and purchase potato salads/coleslaw from the grocery store. Saves on cost!
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Pulled pork or chicken is great - do it in the crockpot and then just serve it with buns and coleslaw.
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Another vote for pulled pork. Can be made/shredded in advance and frozen then reheated. Can also do shredded chicken. Then just provide buns, sauces (buffalo, bbq, ranch) and a couple of make ahead sides. Easiest make ahead side I've been doing is mini potatoes boiled and cooled then a vinegar/olive oil/chives dressing. No worries about spoiling.
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For summer I do a taco and nacho bar (make ground beef ahead) and have all the toppings prepped. so easy.
otherwise i'll do pulled pork BBQ sandwiches in roaster and just buy sides from Costco. Potato salad - doctor it up with hard boiled eggs, pasta salad (add extra veggies if needed) etc. I'm a big supporter of being able to enjoy a party I'm hosting and letting the food be ready beforehand is a big part of it!
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We always do a large baked ziti, or eggplant parm. It can be fully assembled the night before and popped in the oven 30 mins before guests arrive.
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We do a crockpot of pulled pork or crack chicken.
If you wanted to do mexican, the make-ahead taco meat would be easy as well as pulled chicken (chicken breasts + salsa in crockpot).
We have done the kings Hawaiian sliders as well, delicious!
And in winter we do 2 kinds of soups (usually Zuppa and chicken wild rice) in crockpots, with salad, shaved deli ham + fresh bakery bread for sandwiches.
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