food

50 Big-Batch Dinner Recipes to Feed a Crowd

NISHA VORA

Your friend, her husband and their three kids are staying with you this weekend. Breakfast is easy but what the heck are you going to serve everyone for dinner? Relax, we've got you covered. Here, 50 crowd-pleasing big-batch dinner ideas you can have on the table in no time. 

Damn Delicious

1.

Spinach White Bean Soup

Even better: Make a double batch and freeze it.

Get the recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

2.

Ravioli Lasagna Casserole

Skipping the traditional noodles is a genius shortcut.

Get the recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

3.

Roasted Cauliflower Macaroni and Cheese

Pair it with a simple salad and rotisserie chicken.

Get the recipe
Pinch of Yum

4.

Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

The whole family will approve.

Get the recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

5.

Polenta Ragu Casserole

Because sometimes you’re sick of pasta.

Get the recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

6.

Eggplant Parm Casserole

Italian cheesy goodness, coming right up.

Get the recipe
The Modern Proper

7.

Slow-Cooker Chicken Pumpkin Curry

Let your Crock-Pot do the work.

Get the recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

8.

Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup

Our three favorites, together at last.

Get the recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

9.

Rotisserie Chicken Ramen

Waaaay better than the stuff you ate in college.

Get the recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

10.

Slow-Cooker Stuffed Shells

Minimal effort required. 

Get the recipe
The Modern Proper

11.

Slow-Cooker Mushroom Macaroni and Cheese

We’re not drooling, you’re drooling.

Get the recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

12.

Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup Casserole

Extra napkins needed. 

Get the recipe
Damn Delicious

13.

Slow-Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken and Veggies

Just ten minutes of prep.

Get the recipe
Pinch of Yum

14.

Garlic Butter Shrimp Quinoa

So easy, so full of flavor.

Get the recipe
PHOTO: MICHAEL MARQUAND/STYLING: NISHA VORA

15.

Instant Pot Spicy Thai Butternut Squash Soup

Vegan and gluten-free. 

Get the recipe
Half Baked Harvest

16.

Kale and Wild Rice Casserole

Basically like taking a multivitamin.

Get the recipe
Gimme Some Oven

17.

Cucumber Quinoa Salad

Light, crunchy and refreshing.

Get the recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

18.

Chicken Gnocchi Soup

A brilliant twist on an old classic.

Get the recipe
Well Plated

19.

Crock-Pot Low-Carb Lasagna

All of the flavor, none of the carbs.

Get the recipe
The Modern Proper

20.

Broccoli Beef Soba Bowls

Chopsticks optional (but highly encouraged).

Get the recipe
Joyful Healthy Eats

21.

Creamy Goat Cheese Asparagus Quinoa Salad

Trust: You’re gonna want to make a double batch of this guy.

Get the recipe
Pinch of Yum

22.

Crock-Pot Quinoa Chicken Primavera

Did you know a cup of quinoa has eight grams of protein? (True story.)

Get the recipe
Carlsbad Cravings

23.

Lemon Garlic Shrimp and Asparagus

Pile it on top of rice, quinoa or even romaine lettuce.

Get the recipe
Damn Delicious

24.

Slow-Cooker Sausage, Spinach and White Bean Soup

Set it and forget it. (But, uh, don’t forget to eat it.)

Get the recipe
Pinch of Yum

25.

Slow-Cooker Beef Ragu with Pappardelle

Just like Grandma used to make. (If Grandma made really kickass Italian food.)

Get the recipe
Damn Delicious

26.

Cheesy Enchilada Rice Skillet

Best idea ever: put it in a taco shell.

Get the recipe
Gimme Some Oven

27.

Creamy Farro with White Beans and Kale

Our favorite grain strikes again.

Get the recipe
The Recipe Critic

28.

Chicken Parmesan Casserole

Hearty, cheesy and makes great lunch leftovers.

Get the recipe
The Recipe Critic

29.

Slow-Cooker Chicken and Mushroom Stroganoff

Bonus: It makes the whole house smell amazing.

Get the recipe
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL

30.

White Turkey Chili with Avocado

Even better when you reheat it. (Just add more avo.) 

Get the recipe
The Recipe Critic

31.

Slow-Cooker Beef Bourguignon

Eat your heart out, Julia Child.

Get the recipe
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL

32.

Sheet-Pan Lemon Butter Veggies and Sausage

Taste the rainbow. (It’s delicious.)

Get the recipe
Cotter Crunch 

33.

Tuna Green Chile Zucchini Casserole

Did we mention it’s Paleo? 

Get the recipe
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL   

34.

Skillet Steak with Asparagus and Potatoes

Never be nervous to cook steak at home again. This one looks (and tastes) fancy. 

Get the recipe
Gimme some Oven

35.

Everyday Thai Red Curry

Super quick and easy to make. 

Get the recipe
The Recipe Critic

36.

Slow-Cooker Lemon Chicken Piccata

A family favorite made simple thanks to Coterie member Heidi Larsen

Get the recipe
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL

37.

15-Minute Skillet Pepper Steak

Bookmark this one for Taco Tuesday.

Get the recipe
The Creative Bite 

38.

Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Bake

Easy enough for Monday, impressive enough for Saturday.

Get the recipe
NISHA VORA

39.

Creamy Vegan Lentil and Roasted Vegetable Bake

Anyone else want to dig in?

Get the recipe
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL

40.

Sticky Asian Meatballs with Udon Noodles

Long gone are the days of boring spaghetti and meatballs. 

Get the recipe
HELEN CATHCART/TUSCANY

41.

One-Pan Creamy Chicken Fricassee with Sage

Pair it with rice or quinoa.

Get the recipe
The Modern Proper 

42.

Slow-Cooker Crispy Carnitas

This tender, fall-off-the-bone meat is ideal for tacos, sandwiches and even with fried eggs.

Get the recipe
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL

43.

30-Minute Creamy Chicken, Corn and Tomato Skillet

Just a handful of ingredients and three simple steps.

Get the recipe
So Much Food 

44.

Drunken Noodles (Pad Kee Mao) with Chicken

Who needs takeout? Not you. 

Get the recipe
Cotter Crunch 

45.

Oven Baked Riced Broccoli Cauliflower Risotto

Meatless never looked so good. 

Get the recipe
Gimme Some Oven

46.

Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Wrap each square in tinfoil, store it in the fridge, then pop it in the oven when you’re ready to eat.

Get the recipe
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL

47.

Zoodle Stir-Fry

Spice up your weeknights.

Get the recipe
Gimme Some Oven

48.

Vegetarian Gumbo

Close your eyes and you’re in New Orleans.

Get the recipe
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL   

49.

Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe

Lucky for you, it only takes 30 minutes.

Additional reporting by Alexandra Hough

Get the recipe
Feasting at Home

50.

Jade Noodles

Pile on the veggies.

Get the recipe