When I do big extended family meals with similar ages:

Egg roll in a bowl (https://www.theseasonedmom.com/egg-roll-in-a-bowl/ ) rice, pot stickers, broccoli

skillet taco (https://www.skinnytaste.com/ground-turkey-skillet-with-zucchini-corn-black-beans-and-tomato/ ), cheese, tortillas, guacamole, sour cream, hot sauces

Salmon, rice, roasted vegetables, quinoa salad (https://cookieandkate.com/best-quinoa-salad-recipe/)

Pasta fagioli, salad and vegetables, bruschetta

Beans and rice, pulled pork if I have some, corn lime cilantro salad, tortillas

Anonymous wrote:chili in a crock pot and fixings. Mac n cheese as a side

This. You can have lots of sides - there’s something for everyone.

chili in a crock pot and fixings. Mac n cheese as a side

By age five they can pretty much eat anything. I would cook what you wanted to serve and not cater to children. I was brought up to get what you get and not pitch a fit.

OP here: kids ages range from 5 to 13

We do taco bars for lot of things like that. Chicken, meat, veg for main filling. Then do the typical toppings but also add things like pickled radishes and onions, pickled hot peppers, etc. Can whip up some homemade guac and salsa easily.

Taco/Nacho Bar with beef/chicken/veggie options and all the fixins

Baked ziti with a salad made ahead and garlic bread.

How many kids? Ages?

Mac n cheese
Warm up chick FIL a
Tacos
Cater butter noodles

Having a dinner party that includes kids. I'm trying to think of menu ideas that:

1. I can make most of it ahead of time
2. It is easily modifiable (such as pasta with various sauces and meats- but I don't want to have to make pasta the night of)
3. Is adult and kid friendly (not hamburgers and hotdogs)

Any ideas?!!