Cooking for a Crowd: Recipes for When You Have Too Many Guests
- Scarlet Spoon
- Jan 18
- 4 min read
Hosting a large gathering can be a lot of fun, but it also comes with the challenge of feeding a crowd without losing your cool. Whether it's a family reunion, a big birthday bash, or a holiday get-together, we've got you covered with easy, delicious, and crowd-pleasing recipes. No one wants to spend hours in the kitchen, so these dishes are simple, flavorful, and perfect for large groups. Let’s make entertaining effortless and fun!
1. Baked Ziti with Sausage and Mozzarella
Ingredients:
1 lb ziti pasta
1 lb Italian sausage, removed from casing
1 jar marinara sauce
1 tsp garlic powder
2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
2 tbsp olive oil
Fresh basil for garnish
How to Make:
Cook ziti according to package instructions.
Brown sausage in olive oil, then add marinara sauce and garlic powder.
Combine cooked pasta and sauce in a baking dish, sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan.
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly. Garnish with fresh basil.
2. BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Ingredients:
4 lbs pork shoulder
1 bottle BBQ sauce
1 onion, sliced
1 cup chicken broth
10-12 sandwich buns
Coleslaw for topping
How to Make:
Season pork shoulder with salt and pepper, place in a slow cooker with sliced onions and chicken broth.
Cook on low for 8-10 hours or until pork is tender and shreds easily.
Shred the pork and toss it with BBQ sauce. Serve on buns with coleslaw.
3. Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
Ingredients:
6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 green bell pepper, sliced
1 onion, sliced
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
Flour tortillas for serving
How to Make:
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
Toss chicken and vegetables with olive oil, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Spread everything out on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes.
Serve with tortillas and your favorite toppings.
4. Classic Caesar Salad
Ingredients:
3 heads Romaine lettuce, chopped
1 cup Caesar dressing
1 cup croutons
½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
How to Make:
Toss chopped lettuce with Caesar dressing until well coated.
Add croutons and Parmesan cheese, tossing again.
Serve immediately as a side dish.
5. Vegetarian Chili
Ingredients:
2 cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed
2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can diced tomatoes
1 onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp smoked paprika
4 cups vegetable broth
How to Make:
Sauté onions, bell pepper, and garlic in a large pot.
Add beans, diced tomatoes, broth, and spices.
Simmer on low heat for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Serve with toppings like sour cream, shredded cheese, and tortilla chips.
6. Meatball Sliders
Ingredients:
24 mini slider buns
2 cups marinara sauce
20-24 meatballs (store-bought or homemade)
2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
How to Make:
Heat meatballs in marinara sauce until warmed through.
Place a meatball on each slider bun, top with mozzarella cheese.
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10 minutes or until the cheese melts.
7. Giant Mac and Cheese
Ingredients:
1 lb elbow macaroni
4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups milk
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp flour
1 tsp mustard powder
Salt and pepper to taste
How to Make:
Cook pasta according to package instructions.
Make a roux by melting butter and whisking in flour. Gradually add milk, whisking until thickened.
Stir in mustard powder, cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper until melted.
Mix pasta with cheese sauce and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes, topping with extra cheese before baking.
8. Roasted Vegetables
Ingredients:
1 lb carrots, peeled and cut into sticks
1 lb sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 cup Brussels sprouts, halved
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp rosemary
Salt and pepper to taste
How to Make:
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
Toss vegetables with olive oil, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
Roast on a baking sheet for 25-30 minutes or until tender and golden.
9. Caprese Skewers
Ingredients:
1 pint cherry tomatoes
1 lb mozzarella balls
Fresh basil leaves
Balsamic glaze for drizzling
How to Make:
Thread cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and basil onto skewers.
Drizzle with balsamic glaze before serving.
10. Tacos with All the Fixings
Ingredients:
2 lbs ground beef or chicken
1 packet taco seasoning
12-15 soft or hard taco shells
Toppings: shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheese, salsa, sour cream, guacamole
How to Make:
Cook ground meat and season with taco seasoning.
Assemble tacos with the meat and your choice of toppings.
Cooking for a crowd doesn’t have to be stressful. With these recipes, you can feed a large group with ease, ensuring everyone leaves full and happy. So next time you're hosting a big event, just remember: delicious food and great company go hand in hand!
Cheers to successful entertaining,
The Scarlet Spoon Team 👩🍳🍽️
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