Last time I did a chili party I ordered it from hard times chilli cafe! They provided everything even the corn bread

I was thinking hot dogs are a good supplement, especially for the kids. Good call.

This veg chili is fantastic, a crowd pleaser: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/vegetarian-chili-recipe/index.html

I serve it with options like corn chips, oyster crackers, rice, cornbread. And toppings like sour cream, shredded cheese, avocado, sliced green onions.

OP here -- thought we also might throw some hot dogs on the grill for kids and for anyone who might want a chili dog.

Thanks for the vegetarian recipe!

Yes! Went to a fall birthday party with a similar menu and it was great. They had appetizers, traditional chili, white chicken chili, toppings like cheese/chives/sour cream, hot dogs for kids & for chili dogs, cornbread, store bought desserts, and then coffee and hot cider. It was nice to have something different from the normal party menu.

I would supplement with catering trays of some sort. Not everyone cares for chili, and I think it is hard to estimate the amount of chili you would need

A few chiles +

Toppings (sour cream, cheddar, scallions, chopped jalapeños or jarred), Chips & salsa, muffins and/or crusty bread, rice and/or macaroni that chile can be served over, could do quesidillas cut into wedges, dessert.

Great, and easy, veggie black bean recipe:

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Vegetarian-Black-Bean-Chili-230632

Chips & dips

4 different chilies (beef, white/chicken, turkey, veggie)

Cornbread muffins (normal, jalapeño & cheese)

Brownies & cookies

All easy to eat, easy to make or buy and fairly cheep.

OP here. I love the idea for the different types of chili -- thanks! I only have a ground beef or turkey one under my belt, but will have to find some recipes for a white and a vegetarian. Feel free to suggest any recipes you have tried and love.

I agree with 16:47. I'd do a traditional "red" with beef and beans, a vegetarian black bean, and a white bean with green chiles and pork (or if you don't like pork, chicken or turkey). For salads I'd do one tossed/green, one potato salad, and either a 3-bean salad or a corn/bean/red pepper salad. Beer/hard cider for the adults, soda/water/juice boxes for the kids. Don't do apple cider with the chili; the kids will drink too much of it. Instead, hot cider (or coffee) for after dinner.

Do several chilis if possible, maybe a white chicken chili and a more traditional one and/or a vegetarion one with noodles to bulk it up a bit. Make a toppings bar with sour cream, jalapenos, cheese, olives, etc. Two/three salads, corn bread or garlic bread, enough brownies for all would be easy to do( so good after chili!) and then outsource for a few trays of appetizers. The 'main' will be easy enough and you can definitely put it all together the day before. The chili will only get better anyway. Do spiked apple cider for adults and apple cider/ hot chocolate for the kids.

I would still do chili mac. I'd just also do other things. Pasta Salad hater will probably say skip the pasta salad, but honestly, it's been my experience with a party that big that as long as you have plenty to choose from and plenty that's good, you don't have to have enough for everyone to have a bowl of everything.

You could also do 2 chilis, if you have 2 pots of appropriate size (or one pot and one slow cooker). I have done this for a chili party where there were vegetarians.

I would outsource a little. Even if you are a competent cook, 50 people is a lot and you'll be prepping in other ways, e.g., cleaning.

Lebanese Taverna is good:
http://www.lebanesetaverna.com/_media/catering.pdf

We are having a fall party, for which the invitation has already gone out. Before I knew it, I had 50 invitees. My plan was to do chili, but... how do I even do that for 50 people? I have made it stretch before by serving macaroni noodles as my version of "chili mac".

It will be an indoor/outdoor fall-themed party if the weather cooperates.

What would you serve?