I Need Meal Ideas

Whenever I have a large group of people, I make spaghetti and meatballs. It's simple and can be adapted easily for large groups. Most of the work can be done the night before as the sauce simmers all night in the crock pot (so your house smells yummy). Plus, it doesn't require a lot of sides. I just make garlic bread and a salad to go with it. If you'd like the recipe, let me know and I'll post it. I make it from scratch, and it is DELICIOUS! It's my family's favorite meal. In fact, I think it's the only meal where my husband and kids and I are all happy!

Cheese Tetrazzini
1 small onion, chopped
1 Tbsp butter or olive oil (to sauté onion)
1½ -2# ground beef
1 can (15oz) tomato sauce
2 cans diced tomatoes (I buy the seasoned ones by Del Monte -- basil, garlic, olive oil, etc.)
1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1 ¼ cup cottage cheese (I buy the light version)
½ cup sour cream (I use light)
Bunch green onions, chopped – about ¾ cup (more or less to taste –I like more so I use more)
1-2 green bell peppers, diced – about ¾ cup (more or less to taste – I like more so I use more)
1 sm pack spaghetti
Salt and pepper
Grated parmesan cheese (not the sprinkle stuff from a can – real cheese)

Sauté onion in butter/oil. Brown beef. Mix onion with beef. Stir in tomato sauce and 1 can of diced tomatoes. Open and drain 2nd can of tomatoes…stir in as well. Add salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 5 minutes.

Cook spaghetti noodles according to package directions. In large bowl mix cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream well. Stir in diced green onions and bell peppers. Stir in drained spaghetti noodles until well coated – using a spaghetti fork for this works best. Pour spaghetti noodles into a baking dish (12x9x2 or larger).

Top spaghetti mixture with parmesan cheese and bake at 375 for 30 minutes.

Hi K.-
I also think lasanga is great for a crowd. Below is a link to a recipe I can highly recommend. I have made it several times and people LOVE it. Also, it is very easy to make(especially if you use the ready to bake lasagna noodles). A nice salad and italian bread make it a complete meal.
http://www.thepioneerwomancooks.com/2007/06/the_best_lasa...

Have fun!
N.

Hopefully this isn't too late for you, but this is simple one pot and easy - Chili!

Incorporate a Fixing's bar - with shredded cheese, scallions, tortilla chips & frito's scoops, sour cream, crackers and then just make a few pb&j's for the few kids who don't like chili!

Good luck and enjoy your family time.

White Trash Chilli
This is easy and wont take too much preparation time.
Large pot
1 large can diced tomatoes
2 cans of Minnestrone soup(progresso)
2 cans of dark kidney beans
2 cans Ranch style beans
1 can Ro-tel (any style, mild with kids or hot)
4 cloves minced garlic
1 lb. ground round (any ground meat is good the round dosent seem to disapear when cooked)
1 large diced onion
Brown the meat with the garlic and onion seasoning you like Salt,Pepper etc..
Place everythinbg in the pot with 2 cans of water (any of the bean cans you use) simmer for about 45 min. serve with
sour ream or cheese or crackers or bread
it really is easy and very yummy for everyone.

I hope this can work for you good luck Sincerely K. K.

lasagna is a good meal for a lot of people, or meatloaf (i have a recipe for an italian meatloaf if you want), or spaghetti. or you could get a brisket & let it cook in the oven all day. i hope this helps

When I'm having a big group I always make chicken spagetti. Everybody I know loves it and it's easy too! You can fix a salad with it and some rolls and your done. Here is the recipe in case you need it:

3 Chicken Breasts
12 oz. spagetti noodles
1 can Cream of Chicken
1 can Cream of Mushroom
Salad Olives (optional)
Velveta cheese

Boil chicken breasts, remove and cube
Boil spagetti noodles in the same water you boiled the chicken
Mix together Cream of Chicken and Cream of Mushroom with the chicken and noodles (and some olives if you want) in a large casserole dish.
Cover with thin pieces of velveta.

Bake on 350 until the cheese is melted.

Good luck!