What do you normally serve at parties/large gatherings?

We are having about 25 people at our house next weekend for my DH's 30th birthday. In addition to appetizers, I normally make some baked ziti, meatballs and sausage, salad, bread, and chicken wings. I like the meat options here because I can crockpot them the night before or during the day and have everything all set. I also know most people will eat a pasta dish.

So my question is - what do you usually make for dinner when you are having a large gathering? I was thinking about branching out, but I am not sure what to make.

TIA!!

Re: What do you normally serve at parties/large gatherings?

I have to be honest, for a party that size I never cook myself. I cater. It's just too much for me to cook on that scale.
Anything more than 6-8 for dinnet is my limit for cooking myself.
I love to cook, but just not on that scale.
I would make my own apps and snacks though

Message edited 10/5/2013 8:58:54 AM.

Re: What do you normally serve at parties/large gatherings?

When I have that many people (or more) I usually do Italian food............ziti, sausage and peppers, meatballs etc. Sometimes I add a chicken cutlet and fresh mozzarella hero. I think Italian dishes are the most easy to prepare for large parties.........and most affordable. I cooked for my DD's bday, 65 people, and while it was time consuming it was soooooo much cheaper than catering.

Re: What do you normally serve at parties/large gatherings?

Re: What do you normally serve at parties/large gatherings?

I cook for around 30-35 people every Easter, and I do the following for the main dinner:

Turkey breasts, baked ham, and London broil -- I serve all of the meats sliced on platters and at room temperature. I order good rolls and put out a lot of different condiments and a platter of sliced cheese, so people can make sandwiches, and I also serve hot gravy for the turkey in case people want to eat it hot with gravy. But I make the turkey breasts the night before and slice them right before the party, and the meat stays juicy. The London broils, I marinate a day in advance, and then cook the morning of the party (usually in the broiler, but we sometimes grill them, too).

Then I have a bunch of sides -- twice baked potatoes (they are easily made in advance and just reheated in the oven), large green salad of some sort (tossed salad, Caesar salad, I've ordered Iavarone's Gigi salad in the past). I make Paula Deen's corn casserole and my family's recipe for carrot soufflé. Sometimes I make quiches.

I always have lasagnas and sauce, too. And sometimes eggplant parmesan.

It works out well because people always like pasta/Italian dishes, as you say, but then there are meat options that can be served room temp and made into easy to eat sandwiches or can eat the meat with the side dishes.

Re: What do you normally serve at parties/large gatherings?

I only like to do parties in the summer months because we have a really small house and hate having that many people packed in standing room only.


So it's usually burgers, dogs, chicken----stuff like that.

I had a party a few weeks ago and had a 6ft sub with salads ordered, made a few salads and apps myself and then family brought burgers, dogs and chicken wings.

If people offer to bring stuff, I take them up on it to cut cost. Especially if it's not desserts.

I threw so many desserts out that weren't touched because they had fruit on them and molded overnight.