47 Big-Batch Dishes to Feed a Crowd
Quick: You have eight family members coming over this weekend, and pizza isn’t going to cut it. Not to worry, friend. You can feed Uncle Bob, Aunt Suzy, Cousin Tyler and the whole crew with these delicious recipes for a crowd, from one-pan chicken dinners to big-batch breakfast dishes. Trust us: You can throw them together in no time, whether the occasion is Sunday dinner, a birthday celebration or a holiday gathering.
1. White Pesto Spinach Lasagna (10 servings)
- Time Commitment: 1 hour, 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: Under 500 calories, vegetarian, make ahead
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
3. Baked Sausage and Cheese Rigatoni (8 servings)
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: Kid-friendly, make ahead
4. Caramelized Shiitake Mushroom Risotto (8 servings)
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: Vegan, gluten free, make ahead
5. Korean Beef Tacos (12 servings)
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: Dairy free, kid-friendly
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
7. Chicken and Dumplings (6 servings)
- Time Commitment: 2 hours, 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: Kid-friendly, high protein
8. Baked Mac and Cheese Bites (10 servings)
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: Kid-friendly, under 500 calories, special occasion–worthy
9. Holy Mole Enchiladas (8 servings)
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: Make ahead, kid-friendly
10. Easy Creamy Au Gratin Potatoes (10 servings)
- Time Commitment: 1 hour, 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: Special occasion–worthy, under 500 calories
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
12. Slow-Cooker Tater Tot Casserole (8 servings)
- Time Commitment: 4 hours, 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: Slow cooker recipe, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
13. Eight-Layer Hummus Dip (8 servings)
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: Ready in <15 minutes, no cook, <10 ingredients
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
15. BLT Pasta Salad (8 servings)
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: Kid-friendly, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
16. Zucchini Ricotta Galette (8 servings)
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why We Love It: Special occasion–worthy, vegetarian, under 500 calories
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 ingredient
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
19. Ravioli Lasagna Casserole (8 servings)
- Time Commitment: 1 hour, 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: Vegetarian, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
20. Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole (6 servings)
- Time Commitment: 1 hour, 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: Make ahead, kid-friendly, under 500 calories
21. Spinach Artichoke Squares (12 servings)
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, special occasion–worthy, under 500 calories
22. Pull-Apart Bread with Caramelized Onions and Goat Cheese (10 to 12 servings)
- Time Commitment: 3 hours, 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: Special occasion–worthy, under 500 calories, vegetarian
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
24. Mini Skillet Pizzas with Mushrooms and Roasted Tomatoes (10 servings)
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why We Love It: One pan, vegetarian, <10 ingredients
25. Pomegranate-Sumac Chicken with Roasted Carrots (8 servings)
- Time Commitment: 1 hour, 20 minutes (plus marinating)
- Why We Love It: Sheet pan recipe, special occasion–worthy
26. Cheater's Italian Wedding Soup (8 servings)
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: High protein, beginner-friendly
27. Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe (6 servings)
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: One pan, high protein
28. Slow Cooker Mediterranean Frittata (6 servings)
- Time Commitment: 3 hours, 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: Mediterranean diet–friendly, slow cooker recipe, under 500 calories
29. Sheet-Pan Eggs with Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese (12 servings)
- Time Commitment: 32 minutes
- Why We Love It: Sheet pan recipe, under 500 calories
30. Sunday Morning French Toast (6 servings)
- Time Commitment: 1 hour, 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: Under 500 calories, kid-friendly
31. Quiche with Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Crust (6 to 8 servings)
- Time Commitment: 1 hour, 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: Under 500 calories, low carb, gluten free
32. Spinach and Cheese Strata (6 servings)
- Time Commitment: 9 hours, 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: Make ahead
33. Amazing Mexican Breakfast Casserole (12 servings)
- Time Commitment: 55 minutes
- Why We Love It: Kid-friendly, make ahead
34. Roasted Salmon Tacos (8 servings)
- Time Commitment: 55 minutes
- Why We Love It: High protein, gluten free, dairy free
35. Sausage and Fennel Pasta (6 servings)
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: Ready in <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
36. Pumpkin Pie French Toast (8 servings)
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why We Love It: Kid-friendly, <10 ingredients
37. Roasted Tomato Soup (10 servings)
- Time Commitment: 1 hour, 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, gluten free
38. Baked Caprese Chicken Skillet (6 servings)
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: One pan, ready in <30 minutes, kid-friendly
39. Sheet-Pan Buttermilk Chicken Thighs with Plums, Shallots and Honey (8 servings)
- Time Commitment: 8 hours, 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: Special occasion–worthy, sheet pan recipe, high protein, <10 ingredients
40. Weeknight Skillet Paella (6 servings)
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: One pan, high protein, special occasion–worthy
41. Split Pea Soup with Bacon and Beer (8 servings)
- Time Commitment: 2 hours, 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: Under 500 calories, dairy free, beginner-friendly
42. Skillet Roast Chicken with Shmaltzy Potatoes (6 servings)
- Time Commitment: 5 hours, 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: Special occasion–worthy, high protein, one pan
43. Spanish Tapas Board (10 to 12 servings)
- Time Commitment: 1 hour, 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: Special occasion–worthy, high protein
44. Swedish Cinnamon Buns Topped with Salted Caramel (16 to 18 servings)
- Time Commitment: 2 hours, 50 minutes
- Why We Love It: Kid-friendly, special occasion–worthy, under 500 calories
45. Apricot and Frangipane Cake (8 Servings)
- Time Commitment: 1 hour, 5 minutes
- Why We Love It: Special occasion–worthy, gluten free, <10 ingredients
46. 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
47. Perfect Instant Pot New York Cheesecake (8 servings)
- Time Commitment: 8 hours
- Why We Love It: Special occasion–worthy, Instant Pot recipe
RELATED: 55 Easy Finger Food Recipes Everyone Will Love
For even more great recipes, check out our first cookbook, Only the Good Stuff.