Pot roast and mashed potatoes
Quiche and salad
Burgers on the grill/baked beans/Mac and cheese/potato salad
Cajun roasted shrimp in the oven, baguette and salad
Chinese takeout with like 7 entrees to sample from

+10 on the chicken pot pie. Add a green salad and mixed berries for dessert. Nobody hates that, and it can all be made in advance. Berries and vegetables can be served again for snacks the next day.

I like flexible meals that involve guests choosing what they want. My in-laws love a baked potato bar with side salad. For my parents, I do a big green salad and a couple dishes and serve buffet style. For kids or laid back guests, taco bar or choose-your-topping pizza is good. I like to grill pizza when the weather allows. Good Sichuan takeout is also great (and young kids can eat milder fried rice, wontons, etc.)

For less casual couples or families, I do a main meat dish that I can make in advance (like beef short ribs) and have a few sides that people can plate themselves.

Anonymous wrote:I have the same question but our guests are vegetarian (we are not). Ideas?

So many of the meals mentioned can be modified easily for vegetarians. Grill veggie burger and skewers of vegetables instead of hamburgers; do taco bar with refried black beans instead of meat; make a vegetable pasta or lasagna; do thai or indian takeout (so many meatless options); make a veggie stir fy -- tofu for the non meat-eaters and chicken, shrimp or beef for everyone else.

I have the same question but our guests are vegetarian (we are not). Ideas?

shrimp boil--one pot meal that takes little time and no chopping

Pulled pork in the crockpot
Spaghetti and meatballs
Chicken pot pie (can make in advance)
Baked chicken fingers with mashed potatoes and frozen veggies
Pot roast made in the crock pot
Sweet potato corn cakes and a green bean tomato salad (for vegetarian guests)

I would make a few things such as:

1. meatloaf in the crock pot
2. brisket, ham, turkey, chicken in the crock pot
3. lasagna or stuffed shells
4. homemade pizza -- you can make the dough ahead of time and have the toppings ready
5. homemade crab cakes
6. soup
7. chili
8. mini meat balls
9. chicken salad
10. shrimp + rice

Turkey sliders (build your own) with corn and a salad

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A light corn chowder with bread and salad, or some other type of soup/stew.

I like corn chower just fine, but I don't want to be forced to eat soup and salad for dinner. I need to be in the mood for that.

And I don't care for bratwurst or lasagna.