Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Baked ziti, garlic bread, meatballs, fettucine, stuffed shells, etc.

You're missing salad and vegetables. Most adults I know eat healthy and go for low carb and would not touch most of this.

NP. Yeah when I go to a NYE party I’m mainly looking forward to all the salads and vegetables

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Baked ziti, garlic bread, meatballs, fettucine, stuffed shells, etc.

+1

For a switch up to Baked Ziti, maybe try a Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta Casserole. Our fav no-boil version is from America's Test Kitchen (paywall) but here's a good clone:

https://www.thechunkychef.com/one-pan-bacon-cheeseburger-pasta-bake-no-boil/

Also second the meatballs and I'd add in some wings.

Adults are nothing but kids. Grown up. Most of us still like that stuff too.

Kudos for thinking of your entire guest list.

Just no to that casserole. That sounds disgusting. Nobody would touch that if I tried to serve it.

Anonymous wrote:Baked ziti, garlic bread, meatballs, fettucine, stuffed shells, etc.

You're missing salad and vegetables. Most adults I know eat healthy and go for low carb and would not touch most of this.

Anonymous wrote:Baked ziti, garlic bread, meatballs, fettucine, stuffed shells, etc.

+1

For a switch up to Baked Ziti, maybe try a Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta Casserole. Our fav no-boil version is from America's Test Kitchen (paywall) but here's a good clone:

https://www.thechunkychef.com/one-pan-bacon-cheeseburger-pasta-bake-no-boil/

Also second the meatballs and I'd add in some wings.

Adults are nothing but kids. Grown up. Most of us still like that stuff too.

Kudos for thinking of your entire guest list.

Anonymous wrote:When we had people over we did a dumpling fest. All kinds and cuisines, veggie and meat based. Chinese, Japanese, russian, etc. Some veg salads as well.

Oh this sounds fun! Could also do a similar thing with meatballs - some stuffed with cheese, others with sauce, etc. The only issue with that is the vegetarian piece is lacking.

When we had people over we did a dumpling fest. All kinds and cuisines, veggie and meat based. Chinese, Japanese, russian, etc. Some veg salads as well.

Baked ziti, garlic bread, meatballs, fettucine, stuffed shells, etc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are doing grilled cheese (with some plain options and then other types of bread, cheese, fillings for more adventurous eaters) and tomato soup (plain canned soup and a homemade minestrone with white beans).

Sparkling wine and grape juice to drink, plus water and milk.

Appetizers of pigs in blankets, veggies and dips (ranch, hummus), olives, clementines, and grapes. Might make some popcorn in our air popper since the kids enjoy watching it.

You're serving this for guests? Ugh.

Yeah, for guests whose favorite meal is grilled cheese and tomato soup! It's our godchildren and their parents. We know them pretty well and are confident they won't think less of us for such a pedestrian dining experience 😉

How kind of you...and I would love this menu after a month of rich meals/parties.

Last year we had ~20 people over and I did a bunch of different trays and everyone just helped themselves.

I made a pasta salad, garden salad, and a pan roast with chicken and vegetables (all prepared in advance, pan roast went in when people arrived); ordered a couple pizzas and a tray of sushi; picked up a vegetable tray and handful of frozen appetizers that I could adjust or cook based on demand. For dessert I had a candy bar, a bakery cake, and fruit platter.

I know it's an eclectic mix but it felt like a manageable amount of work on my end and I wasn't in the kitchen all night. Everyone found something they were happy to eat.

Thank you for the great ideas! Kids are 8-12, and some are adventurous eaters. I think I will do heavy apps, but grilled cheese in the panini press for some of the kids also sounds like a good idea!

Quiche, pizza, sushi

Age of the kids will make a big difference. My kids (late ES / middle school) would be thrilled with sushi which is easy to get a platter of. But YMMV - i agree with OP that heavy apps, spaced out, are a good way to go! As long as it’s reasonably easy for you, can allow everyone to have something that they like and not feel uncomfortable about the things they don’t.

We are doing grilled cheese (with some plain options and then other types of bread, cheese, fillings for more adventurous eaters) and tomato soup (plain canned soup and a homemade minestrone with white beans).

Sparkling wine and grape juice to drink, plus water and milk.

Appetizers of pigs in blankets, veggies and dips (ranch, hummus), olives, clementines, and grapes. Might make some popcorn in our air popper since the kids enjoy watching it.

Are you looking for a sit-down meal or just heavy apps? I typically do that latter and have a mix of homemade and pre-made things that I put out throughout the night. Head to TJs or WFs for some inspiration. You could easily buy everything or make a few things ahead of time that can be reheated or served cold/room temp. The possibilities are endless and with enough variety everyone will be pleased. Some things in my rotation include:

Seafood (Shrimp cocktail, crab legs/claws)
Loaded charcuterrie Board with fruits and nuts
Hot and cold dips with great bread, crackers, veggies
Stromboli or pizza bread (monkey bread made with balls of pizza dough, Italian spices, cheese and pepperoni with marinara for dipping)
Sliders or other mini sandwiches
Italian beef or sliced roast beef in gravy (crockpot) with crusty rolls
Tater tot or nacho bar with toppings
Chili (on it's own for topping the above)
Quiche (mini or otherwise)
Pigs in a blanket
Spinach balls
Wings
Cold veggie "pizza"
Cookie tray, chocolate fondue
Cocktails, bubbly and maybe some fizzy punch or sparkling juice for the kids

Some friends will be in town, so we will get together. Any menu ideas that are easy if I can just buy?