Meal ideas for casual dinner party

[Anonymous]

DH just invited 8 of his friends over to hang out Saturday night - and more may show up also. They'll have several kids with them ages 2-6. He's gone all day tomorrow at another event so I'm on my own for prep. It's will be super casual but everyone will be expecting dinner I'm sure.

Anyone have suggestions for something relatively easy that will be crowd pleasing? I have a toddler and am 8 months pregnant so not up for serious cooking. I know the default answer is to order pizza but this crowd usually has elaborate spreads when hosting and are all pretty healthy-ish eaters.

Is it the wrong season for a taco bar? I was thinking of a couple kinds of chili but that's not very kid Friendly. Any suggestions would be great!

[Anonymous]

Chili was my first thought. My DD likes it a lot. Or you could do Sloppy Joes for the kids.

[Anonymous]

$8 lasagna.

Take some Kraft singles, ketchup, and pasta and baby you have a meal.

[Anonymous]

Yes to taco bar or chili. I've done both with good success. Also things like make your own spring rolls, sandwich fixings, a couple soups & salads...

[Anonymous]

I was going to say chili as well. Throw it in the crockpot tomorrow late morning.

For the kids, just make a pot of macaroni. Parents can add cheese or butter.

As for clean-up, don't lift a finger. That guy who invited everyone over and then finds himself busy all day can take care of that.

[Anonymous]

Spaghetti bar. Make Spaghetti, ravioli (I buy the kind in the freezer section, just boil and serve) and put 2-3 different sauces out. Make a salad and fruit salad.

[Anonymous]

Build your own grilled cheese with fancy cheeses, breads, and trimmings. Tomato soup on the side.

[Anonymous]

Do a taco bar but for the meat get pulled pork and brisket from red, hot and blue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Build your own grilled cheese with fancy cheeses, breads, and trimmings. Tomato soup on the side.

This makes no sense whatsoever. Everyone stands around the kitchen waiting for their turn to grill their own sandwiches? Or even worse--OP who is 8 mos pregnant stands in a hot kitchen to grill everyone's sandwich.

Sounds good in a Martha Stewart magazine with single people, but not in real life.

[Anonymous]

OP, fancy up your taco bar and make a fajita bar. It's always a huge hit with my friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:$8 lasagna.

Take some Kraft singles, ketchup, and pasta and baby you have a meal.

I love you, PP.

[Anonymous]

If you do the chili, just add hot dogs for the kids. Some people will make chili dogs. Can also make the plain macaroni someone suggested for kids, and also can top it with chili. Make sure you have some good/fun toppings!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you do the chili, just add hot dogs for the kids. Some people will make chili dogs. Can also make the plain macaroni someone suggested for kids, and also can top it with chili. Make sure you have some good/fun toppings!

This. Make one kind of chili that you think everyone will love. I would personally go with a regular chili, just with ground turkey instead of ground beef (since you say they are healthy eaters). I make mine with ground turkey all the time, I actually prefer it that way.

Have all the fixings, plus macaroni, hot dogs, buns. Salad, which your DH should be able to throw together after he gets home or while he's chatting with the first couple of guests after they arrive. Both a green salad and a fruit salad.

Or, you could just ask your DH what the plan is, since he invited all these people over knowing he had some other all-day obligation...

[Anonymous]

Taco bar is good. Add lettuce for those who prefer a taco salad. And put out some guacamole and other dips with tortilla chips.

[Anonymous]

If you are heavily pregant and have to manage your kid alone for the whole day I would never think less of you for just ordering pizza or other takeout for the group.