Inexpensive Get Together Food Ideas

How about a taco bar? I also make mini quiches that are super easy, cheap and always a big hit. Spray mini muffin tins with cooking spray, press won-ton wrappers (usually in the produce section) into them and bake at 350 for about 5 minutes. Then put a little bit of whatever you like into the won-ton wrappers (I use diced green chilies, sharp cheddar and a drop of hot sauce) and then pour eggs beaten with a little sour cream or cream into each wrapper until about 3/4 full. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until set/firm. These are a really cheap and yummy appetizer.

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Bruschetta - super easy, inexpensive, few ingredients, and delicious

Crock pot meatballs

Cheese and crackers - but watch it, these can get pricey

Any kind of dip and some gourmet chips - hummus and pita chips, buffalo chicken dip and organic blue chips, I have tons of recipes if you need some!

Fruit tray and dip (I have a marshmellow fluff recipe that is divine!)

Chips and salsa - you can make the salsa cheaply!

Cupcakes

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Artichoke dip with pita chips

Spinach dip in a hollowed bread bowl, use the inner pieces and top for dipping

Southwest bean and queso dip (quick and unhealthy version is to take a can of seasoned black beans, a cup of picante salsa, and 1 1/2 cup of cubed Velveeta melted) Serve with restaurant style tortilla chips

Reuben dip (melted swiss, sauer kraut, shredded corned beef, mustard, thousand island dressing simmered in crock pot - lots of recipes online) Serve with mini loaf of rye or pumpernickel bread

Grilled chicken skewers with peanut sauce

Teriyaki marinated chicken wings

Buffalo wings

Deep Fried Turkey (goes a long way in serving a lot of people on the cheap if you don't mind, minding the fryer!)

Mini-quiche

mini-wiener wraps and mustard sauce

crock pot bbq meatballs

crock pot bbq mini wieners

crockpot swedish meatballs

Deli tray, veggie tray from Costco or hoagie ring from Costco

Home made pasta salads, fruit salads, or lettuce/veggie salads

Asian crock pot spare ribs

Beef and veggie kabobs

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Meatballs in the crockpot are a good idea, I love to fix Nacho Dip
1 pound ground burger or (chicken or turkey) I use 2-3 pounds
1 can Stewed Tomatoes ( I use 1 can for each pound of meat)
Velveeta Cheese (I use about 1/2 to 2/3 of the box for 3 pounds of meat)
1-3 8 Ounce packs Cream Cheese (1 box per pound of meat)
1 large Onion chopped I use a lot of onions I love them
Bag of tortilla chips

Brown the meat place in the crockpot, add the other ingredients let it heat until all the cheese is melted and it is warm turn it down to low or warm and enjoy.

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tortilla roll ups - turkey, ham, cheese, ranch dressing roll it up and slice it.

pigs in a blanket - i put cheese in too...

mini pizzas - i've used english muffins and put pizza sauce, pepperoni and cheese - heat and viola - done.

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i make pinwheels

small tortillas (1 bag)
2 packages of cream cheese
1/2 c mayo
1/2 bag of whatever kind of cheese you like
slices of ham
olives (if you like them)

soften the cream cheese, add mayo, and cheese. slice or chop olives and mix all together. lay out tortilla spread with mixture and lay ham on top (however many slices you want.) wrap it up and put it in saran wrap. chill in the fridge for about an hour or until it becomes firm. then you slice it width ways so it looks like pinwheels.

you can also use romain lettuce or some such.

the little smokies that you can buy. put in crock pot and cover with bbq.

buy some taquitos from walmart. or empanadas(sp) you can also buy them from the freezer section at walmart. mozerella sticks.

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I find good deals on split chicken breasts (with bone and skin). Put on a baking sheet covered with foil, olive oil, salt, pepper, bake at 375 for about 1.5 hrs.
Then you can use these yummy, juicy, healthy, inexpensive meat for anything!
chicken parm
chicken wraps with tomatoes, lettuce etc
chicken casserole
chicken quesodillas
Bar BQ chick sandwiches
Chicken fajitas

veggies cut up
crackers and cheese
jello various flavors

Why not ask everyone to bring something? Frees up your time and gives everyone more options.

A lot of chips and dip and cheese squares and crackers in the beginnig to fill everyone up then a big salad with different dressings. Then I like the taco idea someone had. Or Chinese food would be great. Fried Rice and noodles. Yummy.

In a crock pot or big pot on stove: One block of Velveeta (or store brand, Publix is good) cheese cut into cubes, one or two cans of Rotel Tomatoes, and if you want you can fry some ground sausage but not necessary, & a bag of Tortilla chips and you won't have any left!

My husband makes a fruit salad that is to die for-and it has a little alchol in it so it's definately for adults.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/wa...

It's sweet and refreshing-we are having a family reunion this weekend and are making it for that. ANd it's smells sooo good because of the basil. Yum!

cheap and healthy? soak some chickpeas overnight, cook them up (change the water to cook so you don't have a room full of gas), stick them in the blender with some herbs you like, some lemon juice and tahini. You'll have a yummy hummus. With it you can cut up some carrots, celery, chips and veggies. A big bag of chickpeas is so cheap and you'll have vitamins, minerals and calcium all for a cheap yummy snack.

You can also make up a big salad, lettuce with some cucumbers and tomatoes and a few fresh herbs. Maybe even an avocado and peel some carrots for pretty shapes on top.

Spinach artichoke dip with chips or sliced bread
Hummus (homemade is very easy and cheap) with pita chips or veggies
Cheese tray
Fruit tray
Pigs in a Blanket... people LOVE them!
Google Real Simple recipe for empanadas... time consuming, but delicious and you can make a ton and freeze them for next time!
"Bar Mix" of nuts in a bowl
Stromboli... huge one from our local pizzeria is $12 and delicious!

Stuffed Mushrooms, buffalo chicken dip, deviled eggs, spinach and artichoke dip, bread bowl filled with dip..Check out "all recipes.com" they have so many meal/ap. ideas..

I'd make deviled eggs. Cheap, cheap, cheap, and they are always the first things to go.

If you haven't made them before, just make sure you boil the eggs ten minutes. No soft yolks. I don't get fancy with them, either. Just mayo and a bit of yellow mustard blended in the yolks. Easy, and you can make them ahead of time.

Get togethers can be even more fun (next time) if people bring a snack themselves, too--especially if they bring a favorite. Then you get something delicious to try, and you might even get a new recipe.

Lots of good suggestions from the other responders, too!

Everybody loves pigs in a blanket, they're super easy, can be prepped ahead of time, and you only have to buy hot dogs and a roll of the refrigerated pillsbury dough crescents....and maybe some ketchup/mustard.