Uh oh: You have eight family members coming over for dinner this weekend, and pizza isn’t going to cut it. Not to worry, friend. You can feed the whole crew with these deliciously attainable recipes for a crowd, from one-pan chicken dinners to big-batch breakfast dishes. You can throw them together in no time, whether the occasion is a birthday celebration, a holiday gathering or a regular old weeknight dinner.
55 Big-Batch Dishes to Feed a Crowd
Published Feb 8, 2023
What Are the Best Types of Meals to Serve a Large Crowd?
Our go-tos are slow cooker dishes and casseroles, since they typically call for large quantities of ingredients. (If you can assemble ahead and chill or freeze them until the day you're going to serve them, even better.) One-pot pasta dishes and charcuterie boards are solid choices too, as well as high-protein meals that call for minimal hands-on work, like whole roast chicken or Crockpot pulled pork. Many sheet pan and skillet dishes can also feed up to six people in one fell swoop.
2. Slow Cooker Crispy Carnitas (10 servings)
- Time Commitment: 8 hours
- Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe, one pot, under 500 calories, dairy free, kid-friendly
In this big-batch gem, pork shoulder is simmered in the slow cooker for eight hours, yielding tender, fall-off-the-bone meat that’s fabulous in tacos, sandwiches and even with fried eggs.
3. Baked Sausage and Cheese Rigatoni (8 servings)
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: kid-friendly, make ahead
This family favorite packs in a pound of sweet Italian sausage, plus lots of ricotta, Parm and provolone. (Thanks, Coterie member, Heidi Larsen.)
4. Caramelized Shiitake Mushroom Risotto (8 servings)
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegan, gluten free, make ahead
A ten-ingredient, 30-minute recipe that stores for up to a month in the freezer. (So basically, it’s fabulous in every way.)
5. Korean Beef Tacos (12 servings)
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: dairy free, kid-friendly, high protein
These mind-blowing tacos come together in 35 minutes and are piled high with sriracha mayo and caramelized kimchi to boot.
6. Healthy Instant Pot Turkey Chili (8 servings)
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: Instant Pot recipe, kid-friendly, make ahead, gluten free
The easiest way to cook for a crowd: Dump all the ingredients into your pressure cooker, then go live your life. In a flash, you’ve got a soul-warming dinner that's ready to serve.
7. Chicken and Dumplings (6 servings)
- Time Commitment: 2 hours and 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: kid-friendly, high protein
This classic takes a little bit of patience to make (hey, homemade biscuits take time), but Coterie member Maria Lichty promises it’s worth it.
8. Baked Mac and Cheese Bites (10 Servings)
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: kid-friendly, under 500 calories, special occasion–worthy
In less than an hour, you can have 48 of these delightful little macaroni bites on the table, baked with two kinds of gooey cheddar cheese.
9. Holy Mole Enchiladas (8 servings)
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: make ahead, kid-friendly
Tweak this easy 40-minute recipe how you see fit to make it spicy, gluten-free or vegan.
10. Easy Creamy Au Gratin Potatoes (10 servings)
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: special occasion–worthy, under 500 calories, vegetarian
A decadent side dish that pairs fabulously with roast chicken and a green salad. (Or a Thanksgiving turkey.)
11. Roasted Squash Salad with Crispy Shallot & Balsamic Reduction (8 servings)
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, vegan, dairy free, gluten free
With winter squash, pepitas, currants and macadamia nut cheese, it’s a salad that even salad-haters can get on board with.
12. Slow Cooker Tater Tot Casserole (8 servings)
- Time Commitment: 4 hours and 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
Layered with ground beef, sharp cheddar, black beans and tons of tots, this crowd-pleaser is guaranteed to disappear in 10 minutes or less.
13. Eight-Layer Hummus Dip (8 servings)
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, no cook, <10 ingredients
This nutritious, protein-rich app is loaded with pine nuts, pesto, sweet peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, cilantro and feta cheese. (Yum.)
14. Slow Cooker Chipotle BBQ Meatballs with Garlic Toast (8 servings)
- Time Commitment: 8 hours
- Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe, special occasion–worthy, beginner-friendly
These little bites can be prepped in advance and frozen until you need them.
16. Zucchini Ricotta Galette (8 servings)
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why We Love It: special occasion–worthy, vegetarian, under 500 calories
If you’re in a dinner rut, listen up: This savory summer pie can elevate any meal, from a picnic lunch in the park with a bottle of wine to Sunday supper with the whole fam on the back patio.
17. Baked Brie with Figs, Pistachios and Orange (10 servings)
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: special occasion–worthy, vegetarian, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
Let us fill you in on a little secret: This sweet-and-savory baked cheese looks fancy, but it couldn’t be easier to make. And with all those fancy toppings, it's prime for your holiday table.
18. Korean Grilled Steak with Toasted Sesame Chimichurri (8 servings)
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: under 500 calories, gluten free, special occasion–worthy
Food blogger Tieghan Gerard tells us the key to a great flank steak is marinating it in something delicious for a few hours. Done and done.
19. Ravioli Lasagna Casserole (8 servings)
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegetarian, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
Forget lasagna noodles. In this dish, we layer ravioli (meat, cheese, mushroom—whatever kind you're feeling) for the most epic baked pasta dish ever. This recipe will be your new favorite big-batch dinner, trust.
20. Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole (6 servings)
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: make ahead, kid-friendly, under 500 calories
The whole family will approve of this decadent dinner. Even your kids won't mind the veggies, thanks to all that crumbled bacon and melted Gruyère.
21. Spinach Artichoke Squares (12 servings)
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, special occasion–worthy, under 500 calories
We’re artichoke dip fans through and through. Add puff pastry, and we’re positively swooning. They’ve got the same cheesy goodness as the retro dip, without the need for crackers or chips.
22. Pull-Apart Bread with Caramelized Onions and Goat Cheese (10 to 12 servings)
- Time Commitment: 3 hours and 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: special occasion–worthy, under 500 calories, vegetarian
Monkey bread is tasty, but we’ve made it 2 billion times. Enter this remix that boasts all the fun of monkey bread and twice the class. Make it for weekends, game days or dinner parties, but always serve warm.
23. Delicata Squash Rings with Garlic-Lemon Sauce (8 servings)
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegetarian, under 500 calories, special occasion–worthy
Onion rings better watch out: These easy, elegant squash bites are certain to steal the show. Set out a plate at your next cocktail party and watch them disappear in five minutes flat.
24. Mini Skillet Pizzas with Mushrooms and Roasted Tomatoes (10 servings)
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why We Love It: one pan, vegetarian, <10 ingredients
Two things everyone loves: pizza and mini foods. In other words, this recipe is bound to be a hit. Use store-bought pizza dough and your guests will be none the wiser.
25. Pomegranate-Sumac Chicken with Roasted Carrots (8 servings)
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes (plus marinating)
- Why We Love It: sheet pan recipe, special occasion–worthy, high protein
Now that it’s cool enough to turn on your oven, it’s time to embrace the sheet pan meal. This one’s packed with warm Middle Eastern spices that will have your guests begging for the recipe.
27. Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe (6 servings)
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: one pan, high protein, beginner-friendly
You had us at gnocchi, and again at one-skillet dinner. Thanks to a few smart shortcuts (store-bought pasta, for one), this big-batch dinner takes a mere 30 minutes to make.
29. Sheet-Pan Eggs with Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese (12 servings)
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: sheet pan recipe, under 500 calories, special occasion-worthy
Eggs are a breeze to cook for one, but they’re tough to make for a crowd. Consider this recipe your secret weapon. It’s tasty with toast and a mimosa—and even more so on a bagel sandwich.
30. Sunday Morning French Toast (6 servings)
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegetarian, one pan, kid-friendly
An entire batch of French toast made in a single dish? Yeah, we’re definitely making this gem on Christmas morning.
31. Quiche with Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Crust (6 to 8 servings)
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: under 500 calories, low carb, gluten free
Quiche is a breakfast classic. But quiche with a sweet potato crust? Wait for the crowd to go wild. Serve it with crusty bread and fruit salad.
32. Spinach and Cheese Strata (6 servings)
- Time Commitment: 9 hours and 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: make ahead, beginner-friendly, vegetarian
Stratas are the fancy casseroles of the brunch world. This one features plenty of gooey cheese, and it happens to be a great way to use up any leftover greens you have in the fridge.
33. Mexican-Inspired Breakfast Casserole (12 servings)
- Time Commitment: 55 minutes
- Why We Love It: kid-friendly, make ahead, crowd-pleaser
What makes this dish so amazing, you ask? It could be the fact that it’s a breeze to prepare ahead…or it could be the copious amounts of avocado on top. We can’t decide.
34. Roasted Salmon Tacos (8 servings)
- Time Commitment: 55 minutes
- Why We Love It: high protein, gluten free, dairy free
Not only is the flaked salmon bursting with smoky chipotle and cumin, but it's also topped with grilled pineapple salsa and cashew lime crema. (Might we also suggest a mound of pickled red onions?)
35. Sausage and Fennel Pasta (6 Servings)
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
Italian sausage has a ton of built-in flavor, so this pasta barely needs any additional zhuzhing—though a sprinkle of grated Parm never hurts.
36. Pumpkin Pie French Toast (8 servings)
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why We Love It: kid-friendly, <10 ingredients, special occasion-worthy
Name a better way to use up leftover pumpkin pie, we'll wait. It tastes just as festive on Halloween morning as it does on Black Friday.
37. Roasted Tomato Soup (10 servings)
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, gluten free
You're only a handful of ingredients away from ditching canned soup forever. It's *that* good.
39. Sheet-Pan Buttermilk Chicken Thighs with Plums, Shallots and Honey (8 servings)
- Time Commitment: 8 hours and 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: special occasion–worthy, sheet pan recipe, high protein, <10 ingredients
The beauty of stone fruit season. Be patient while the chicken marinates—the buttermilk is the key to tender meat, crispy skin and extra savory flavor.
41. Split Pea Soup with Bacon and Beer (8 servings)
- Time Commitment: 2 hours and 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: under 500 calories, dairy free, beginner-friendly
This cozy recipe is a far cry from your grandma's split pea soup. Chalk it up to the homemade croutons, sherry vinegar, smoky bacon and a whole can of pale lager.
42. Skillet Roast Chicken with Shmaltzy Potatoes (6 servings)
- Time Commitment: 5 hours and 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: special occasion–worthy, high protein, one pan
Nothing wows a crowd like a golden-brown whole chicken. Pro tip: Position the chicken so its legs point toward one of the back corners of the oven, where it runs hotter than the center of the oven. This will keep the breast meat from drying out.
43. Spanish Tapas Board (10 to 12 Servings)
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: special occasion–worthy, high protein
When in doubt, a massive charcuterie spread of meat and cheese always satisfies. And this one has a few bonus appetizers, like heirloom pan con tomate and patatas bravas with saffron aioli.
Katherine Gillen
44. Spicy Slow Cooker Green Chicken Chili (8 servings)
- Time Commitment: 6 hours and 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe, crowd-pleaser, high protein
Behold: the definition of cozy. Not only does it require a mere 15 minutes of active prep, but you can also freeze the leftovers for up to three months.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
45. Cuban Sliders for a Crowd (15 servings)
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, one pan, <10 ingredients
It sure beats frying a million chicken wings on game day. We nixed the roast pork so the sammies were low-lift, but feel free to add it to make them more authentic and filling.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
46. Eggplant Parm Casserole (6 servings)
- Time Commitment: 55 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegetarian, special occasion-worthy, kid-friendly
Tell chicken to sit this one out—crispy slabs of breadcrumb-coated eggplant will be just as delicious. Pass the garlic bread.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
47. Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken (6 servings)
- Time Commitment: 7 hours and 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe, high protein, special occasion-worthy
Pile it onto rolls, add it to salads, use it to fill burritos or spread it on a quesadilla. The options are endless.
Meseidy Rivera/Weeknight Gourmet Dinners
48. Instant Pot Risotto à la Carbonara (8 servings)
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, Instant Pot recipe, beginner-friendly
BRB, swimming in a sea of pancetta- and wine-kissed cheese sauce. You could serve the risotto as a side, but we think it's decadent enough to stand on its own.
49. 3-Cheese Pumpkin Pasta Casserole with Spinach (6 servings)
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, vegetarian
If you don't serve this creamy, soul-warming dish for Halloween or Thanksgiving dinner, you're doing it wrong. (And since it's made with canned pumpkin, you can whip it up whenever.)
50. Polenta Ragu Casserole (6 servings)
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 50 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, high protein
This fun twist on lasagna is just as easy to pull off, but feels way fancier. Go ahead, make a guest list: You're having a dinner party.
51. Slow Cooker Pulled Pork (6 servings)
- Time Commitment: 7 hours and 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe, high protein, make ahead, crowd-pleaser
You can use this sweet-and-tangy main in salads, burritos, quesadillas, grilled cheeses and, our favorite, sandwiches, piled high with vinegary coleslaw.
52. Swedish Cinnamon Buns Topped with Salted Caramel (16 to 18 servings)
- Time Commitment: 2 hours and 50 minutes
- Why We Love It: kid-friendly, special occasion–worthy, under 500 calories
FYI, most of the cooking time is hands-off, so you can sit back and bask in the glow of that drool-worthy caramel sauce.
53. Apricot and Frangipane Cake (8 servings)
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 5 minutes
- Why We Love It: special occasion–worthy, gluten free, <10 ingredients
Thanks to five juicy, in-season apricots, you don’t even need to frost this beauty. It's naturally gorgeous as is.
54. Deep-Dish Chocolate Chip Cookie with Caramel and Sea Salt (8 servings)
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, one pan
Remember those incredible cookie cakes your family would order every year on your birthday? Well, now it can be your birthday every damn day of the year.
55. Perfect Instant Pot New York Cheesecake (8 servings)
- Time Commitment: 8 hours
- Why We Love It: special occasion–worthy, Instant Pot recipe, crowd-pleaser
A beautiful cheesecake is great for every occasion. And honestly, a group setting is best for this easy-to-make dessert, because the leftovers are dangerous.
Taryn Pire is PureWow’s associate food editor. A former bartender and barista, she’s been writing about all things delicious since 2016, developing recipes, reviewing restaurants and investigating food trends at Food52, New Jersey Family Magazine and Taste Talks. When she isn’t testing TikTok’s latest viral recipe, she’s having popcorn for dinner and posting about it on Instagram @cookingwithpire.
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