Anonymous wrote:I agree with the person who said baked ziti, garlic bread and salad (dressing on the side). I'd have some plain rigatoni and plain sauce on the side for the kids who are scared of baked ziti. I always do apps as two types of cheese, two types of crackers, and a plate of tiny veggies with dip (grape tomatoes, string beans, baby carrots, etc).

The other thing I do sometimes is Costco's baked chicken (which is moist as hell!), with new potatoes (which are super easy to bake at home) and steamed veggies. If I'm already at Costco I'll just pick up a cookie platter for dessert to make life easy. Plus I'll get strawberries or whatever berries are in season (two different ones) so fruit can also go out for dessert.

What is this baked chicken?

Anonymous wrote:Is Italian too generic? Personally, I go with what is easiest, so in this case, Lasagna or Baked Ziti, Salad, Garlic Bread, Dessert. TJ's has an awesome Tiramisu. If you don't want to make the Lasagna or Ziti yourself, Paisano's does a great version of either, and they deliver.
Yes to wine, beer, alcohol.

I agree with this, for a group this size and given that OP wants something easy. Make a baked ziti or lasagne ahead, along with salad. Nothing to cook after guests arrive.

While in theory I like the make-your-own/top-your-own concept, in practice it wouldn't go well at my house. My kitchen is too small and given the ages of the kids, it would turn into a big logistical problem.

If OP wants to give the kids something to do, she could pick up a craft of some kind at Michael's and set them up with it somewhere other than the kitchen.

I don't see anything wrong serving a glass of wine for the adults or setting out some beers with the apps. I'm sure the adults are mature enough to know their limits and the drinks would match well with the salty appetizers and, for example, a pasta-type dinner.

I'm the "you don't need liquor" poster. I meant you don't need hard spirits in addition to the wine and beer. I made wine and beer recommendations above.

I agree with the person who said baked ziti, garlic bread and salad (dressing on the side). I'd have some plain rigatoni and plain sauce on the side for the kids who are scared of baked ziti. I always do apps as two types of cheese, two types of crackers, and a plate of tiny veggies with dip (grape tomatoes, string beans, baby carrots, etc).

The other thing I do sometimes is Costco's baked chicken (which is moist as hell!), with new potatoes (which are super easy to bake at home) and steamed veggies. If I'm already at Costco I'll just pick up a cookie platter for dessert to make life easy. Plus I'll get strawberries or whatever berries are in season (two different ones) so fruit can also go out for dessert.

OP here. Thank you so much everyone! Your ideas are making me feel less stressed already. Now I just have to decide which one to go with.

I don't see anything wrong serving a glass of wine for the adults or setting out some beers with the apps. I'm sure the adults are mature enough to know their limits and the drinks would match well with the salty appetizers and, for example, a pasta-type dinner.

When I said you can do the whole lasagna in advance--it's OK to bake it the day before and reheat. Personally I think it's better the second day. There was a vigorous debate on this on another thread a few months ago, and a lot of folks thought it's best to assemble first but bake right before serving, but you don't have to do it that way. If you're nervous, you can bake the day before and just reheat, it will be fine. (Reheat in a 350 oven, not the microwave.)