I love the slow cooker ideas and was going to post that myself. Logistically though, I'd need 2 slow cookers (or 2 rounds) to feed 20.

I know you've gotten a lot of responses but I was at Costco the other day and they have some premade things that could work for this. They have big sandwich platters, premade mac and cheese and pot pies that just need to be put in the oven or microwave, and taco platters. I'd probably pick up a bunch of sandwich platters, chips and already cut-up fruit at Costco. Very minimal prep (just opening things) for when you get off of work.

Are any of the kids vegetarian/vegan, or other dietary restrictions?

Anonymous wrote:Any take out option you go with is going to cost you between $250 - 300. Besides the food, you need to make sure you have drinks. Throw in some dessert options you either pick up or come with the meal and you are pretty close to $300. Restaurant even fast casual is expensive.

Grocery stores prepare food can be more budget friendly but but could still easily run $200.

For anyone who needs an actual inexpensive menu. Is it the best? nope, but teens will eat it.

Large bags of chicken nuggets from the store you heat up yourself

carrot sticks and ranch dips

Mac and Cheese from a mix

Oreos or other packaged cookies, or homemade cupcakes

lemonade or ice tea from a mix

Yuck.

Surfside. The answer is Surfside.

Any take out option you go with is going to cost you between $250 - 300. Besides the food, you need to make sure you have drinks. Throw in some dessert options you either pick up or come with the meal and you are pretty close to $300. Restaurant even fast casual is expensive.

Grocery stores prepare food can be more budget friendly but but could still easily run $200.

For anyone who needs an actual inexpensive menu. Is it the best? nope, but teens will eat it.

Large bags of chicken nuggets from the store you heat up yourself

carrot sticks and ranch dips

Mac and Cheese from a mix

Oreos or other packaged cookies, or homemade cupcakes

lemonade or ice tea from a mix

Anonymous wrote:Chinese carryout

+1. Chow mein, fried rice, plain rice, a couple entrees (meat and veggie), and maybe a tray of egg rolls

District taco does a good spread. It’s $150 and that’s for maybe 10 or 12? I can’t remember, but the portions are generous

Chinese carryout

Seoul spice has awesome family style meals, and you can order extra chicken, beef, tofu by the pound.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Could you do baked ziti made in advance? Just a thought.

This may be what I end up doing. I was thinking homemade mac and cheese but this would be easier.

There is always Stouffer's lasagna ... and, no, I am not joking (I've read the other thread). Or your own homemade lasagna. But I would go with lasagna, garden salad, garlic bread and brownies.

+1. Stauffer family size from Costco.

There is no way this would feed 2 teens. Do you all put three of these in the oven at once? How much cooking time does that add?

Anonymous wrote:The Moby Dick family style meals are amazing. You could easily feed 20 on well under $300.

While I love moby, they give a lot of those ground beef skewers that no one seems to eat. I’d get a bunch of extra chicken skewers if you do this. You have have tons of rice.

I sometimes bring my sons lacrosse team dinner after practice. Usually 25 people total. Things that are well under $300
- 50 CFA chicken sandwiches and 2 trays of fries
-potbelly catering boxes
-boxes of assorted tacos
-a few buckets of Popeyes chicken
-one gigantic hit was 75 anitas breakfast burritos. I did sausage, bacon and chorizo and gave them one of each.

The Moby Dick family style meals are amazing. You could easily feed 20 on well under $300.

wings & fries

chinese joint for egg rolls & fried chicken