Cooking for a big group can feel like a juggling act—one person loves spicy food, another won’t touch anything with onions, and someone else is just here for the dessert.
Sound familiar?
I’ve been there! Instead of stressing over what to cook, I’ve rounded up 13 recipes for a crowd that are easy, delicious, and guaranteed to keep everyone satisfied.
From white chicken casserole to easy dinners for large groups, these dishes are perfect for feeding a house full of hungry guests without spending hours in the kitchen.
Plus, they’re big on flavor and easy on the budget—because let’s be real, feeding a crowd shouldn’t mean spending a fortune. Let’s get cooking!
1. White Chicken Casserole
If there’s one thing I swear by when feeding a crowd, it’s a good casserole. White chicken casserole is creamy, cheesy, and packed with tender chicken.
The best part?
It’s ridiculously easy to throw together. Just mix shredded chicken with a rich white sauce, layer it with cheese, and bake until golden and bubbly.
Serve it with a simple salad or garlic bread, and you’ve got a comforting meal that disappears fast.
2. Heavenly Chicken and Rice
This dish lives up to its name—it’s downright heavenly. Heavenly chicken and rice is a one-pan wonder that combines juicy chicken, perfectly cooked rice, and a creamy, savory sauce.
Everything bakes together in the oven, which means no extra dishes to wash. It’s cozy, filling, and always a hit with guests.
Plus, you can make a giant batch and let everyone help themselves!
3. White Sauce Casserole Recipes
If you love a creamy, comforting meal, you need to try white sauce casserole recipes.
Think of it as mac and cheese’s more sophisticated cousin—smooth, cheesy white sauce mixed with pasta, veggies, or protein, then baked to perfection.
You can add chicken, ham, or even mushrooms for extra flavor. It’s rich, satisfying, and perfect for feeding a big, hungry crowd.
4. Poor Man Dinners Cheap Meals
When you’re cooking for a lot of people, budget-friendly meals are a lifesaver. That’s where poor man dinners cheap meals come in.
Think hearty, filling dishes like chili, beef stroganoff, or slow-cooked beans and cornbread. These meals don’t break the bank, but they taste like you spent all day in the kitchen.
Bonus: They’re usually even better as leftovers!
5. Easy Meals for 15 People
Got a big crowd to feed? Easy meals for 15 people make dinner stress-free.
A giant batch of spaghetti with meat sauce, a massive tray of enchiladas, or a big pot of beef stew—all these meals can be prepped in advance and served buffet-style.
Less time cooking, more time enjoying the company (and the food, of course!).
6. Food That Feeds a Crowd
When you’re feeding a lot of people, the last thing you want is to be stuck in the kitchen all day.
Food that feeds a crowd should be simple, hearty, and easy to scale up. Dishes like baked ziti, pulled pork sandwiches, and taco bars work wonders.
Guests can serve themselves, and you won’t have to stress about making multiple dishes.
7. Easy Dinners for Big Groups
A big group calls for a meal that’s as easy to serve as it is to make.
Easy dinners for big groups include crowd-pleasers like sheet pan fajitas, slow cooker BBQ chicken, or giant breakfast-for-dinner spreads.
Make it fun by setting up a toppings bar—people love customizing their plates!
8. Easy Dinners for Large Groups
Sometimes, you need easy dinners for large groups that don’t require standing over a stove for hours. Enter: baked pasta dishes, casseroles, and make-ahead meals.
One of my favorites?
A giant pan of lasagna—layer it up, bake, and let everyone dig in. It’s the kind of meal that makes people come back for seconds (and thirds).
9. Loaded Baked Potato Bar
If you want to feed a group with minimal effort, a baked potato bar is a genius idea.
Bake a big batch of potatoes, set out toppings like cheese, sour cream, bacon, and chives, and let everyone build their own masterpiece.
It’s simple, filling, and works for just about any dietary preference.
10. Pulled Pork Sliders
Sliders are the ultimate party food. A big batch of slow-cooked pulled pork is perfect for feeding a crowd, and when served on soft slider buns with coleslaw, it’s impossible to resist.
Bonus: You can make the pork ahead of time and just warm it up when it’s time to eat.
11. Giant Sheet Pan Nachos
Who doesn’t love nachos? A giant sheet pan loaded with crispy tortilla chips, melted cheese, seasoned beef or chicken, and all the toppings is a guaranteed hit.
Serve it straight from the pan, and let everyone grab what they want. Minimal cleanup, maximum deliciousness!
12. Big-Batch Chili
Chili is one of those magical meals that actually tastes better the longer it sits.
Make a big pot the night before, let the flavors meld, and serve it up with cornbread or over baked potatoes. It’s hearty, warm, and perfect for feeding a big, hungry group.
13. DIY Taco Bar
A taco bar is hands-down one of the best ways to serve a crowd.
Set up a spread with tortillas, seasoned meat, beans, cheese, salsa, and all the toppings, then let everyone build their own plate. It’s fun, interactive, and makes feeding a big group way easier.
Final Thoughts
Cooking for a crowd doesn’t have to be complicated. With 13 recipes for a crowd, you’ll have a variety of options that are easy, delicious, and guaranteed to keep everyone happy.
From hearty casseroles to DIY food bars, these dishes make feeding a big group feel effortless.
So next time you’re hosting, skip the stress and whip up one of these crowd-friendly meals—your guests (and your sanity) will thank you!