We are having a family party for our twins 2 yr birthday in a few weeks. There will be about 25 people altogether. I don't know what to serve for dinner. I want to do something easy, not too expensive, and buffet style. I could grill hot dogs and hamburgers but would like some other ideas. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
I would do lasagna! It is very inexpensive to feed a large group and you can do great sides with it.
I hace done a taco buffet and I put way to much work into it. I you decide to do that remember to keep it simple. I really like the jambalaya idea and am ready to have a party so I can use it!
In Louisiana, everyone serves jambalaya (I do mine as chicken & sausage)and white beans for big parties or often, even for weddings. It's easier to cook large quantities anyway, and is super cheap. I'm serving that this weekend for a party and we're going to feed 40 people, including the disposable plates/cups/dinnerware, for $100. Since we have a good number of people coming, a couple friends are bringing veggies/dip (which we'll wash and cut up, making our own platter, to save money), and chips with rotel dip. Sounds super simple, but not only is it yummy, but also SHOULD be simple: the party is about enjoying each other's company, not being a martyr in the kitchen.
We always do a fajita bar for family get togethers. Super easy, and very yummy! You can always cook up the chicken/beef in advance and put it in the oven, so you aren't slaving in the kitchen with company there.
My sister-in-law put together a taco party for my brother-in-law's birthday. She borrowed a crock pot from a couple of people so she'd have several to use, cooked the meat for the tacos and put it in a crockpot to keep it warm (ground beef in one and fajita chicken in the other). She also did the same for some queso dip. There were hard taco shells, soft flour tortillas and tortilla chips for folks who wanted nachos, all the veggies (lettuce, tomatoes, onions), shredded cheese, salsa, sour cream and quacamole too. Everyone served themselves buffet style. It was really delicious.
Good luck with your party!
I went to costco and bought a party tray of croissant sandwiches and a large container of strawberries and grapes and made a fruit platter. They also had spinach and artichoke dip which I got and some chips. Their party platters are so much cheaper and you get alot!! For the kids, I had gummy bears, cheetos and they ate alot of the fruit also.
I suggest you try making maybe fiesta salad. All you need is ground beef (you could also mix in ranch beans in ground beef to make it more), round tostitos, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, shredded cheese and salsa. You want a buffet this a great way to do it...it is very inexpensive. Might be too much for the kiddos? get some nacho cheese and have the kids make their own nacho fiesta salad. Enjoy...let us know how your party turned out.
frito pie! You can make it like a casserole in oven, or make it buffet style with a pot of warm chili and the other ingredients laid out on a table for people to make themselves. Its so easy and would go great with hot dogs! :)
Or you can even make "frito pie in a bag" by serving the individual bags of fritos and letting everyone pour the chili,cheese,and onion in their bag and eat with a plastic spoon. Saves dishes!! You can make big pot of your favorite chili recipe or simply pour some cans of Hormel Chili in a pot for the super easy version. Open up and heat more cans of chili as you go so there is no waste. My family loves the chili with the beans in it!
corn chips
prepared chili
shredded cheddar cheese
chopped onions
mustard (optional)
1.heat chili until warm either in a pot on the stove or in a microwave.
2.Place corn chips in a bowl, pour over with chili then top with the cheese, and onions if desired. or pour ingredients straight into bag
3.Finish with a squirt of mustard on top.
