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having a potluck at work this week and i need inexpensive ideas or food suggestions that will cost about $20 or less. alittle more would be ok as well.

2006-11-14 04:40:47 · 18 answers · asked by tooxswt 2 in Food & Drink Cooking & Recipes

i didnt know that it meant that everyone bring a normal sized serving... i thought i had to bring something to feed like 50+ people (which we have at our office). the thing is alot of people aren't bringing food. they just donated money which is only $5 per person. i dont think that'll be enough to buy alot.
but anyways, another thing is that my oven doesnt work at home. im not a cook. i dont know how to make anything but i can follow good directions.

2006-11-14 04:56:28 · update #1

18 answers

This site has some great ideas

http://allrecipes.com/howto/potluck-show-stoppers/detail.aspx

unless it is a potluck for hundreds of people I can't imagine spending 20 for ingredients. I have used this recipe for potlucks and I always get asked for the recipe


Chicken Ritz Casserole

Ingredients:
5-6 chicken breasts, cooked
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cheddar broccoli soup
about 1/4 soup can of milk
1-1/2 c. sour cream
2 c. cooked minute rice (1 c. prior to cooking)
dash salt and pepper
30 to 40 Ritz crackers, crumbled
Butter
Cooking Instructions:
Cook chicken and remove chicken from bone and cut up. Place chicken in casserole dish. Mix together remaining ingredients. Pour mixed ingredients over chicken. Top with crushed Ritz crackers; dot with butter. Bake at 350F. for 45 mins.

2006-11-14 04:57:16 · answer #1 · answered by scrappykins 7 · 1 0

Totally.

What is your food type?
If you make a casserole in an aluminum tin (throw away) you will save a lot more money than actually buying chips and dips..
If you don't have a oven, then get a microwavable dish to use.

Three ideas, same idea, just change the main ingrediant.
Broccoli, cheese and rice {frozen chopped broccoli}
Chicken, veggies and rice {canned chicken, next to the tuna}
Beef tips, veggies and rice. [hormal readyto eat meat in Beef tips]

Get the chopped veggies in the frozen food section. defrost then mix it into the the meal.
Get a large can or two of Cream of Mushroom soap.
Get a cheap can of chicken stock (boil the rice with it)

Get shredded cheese for dish or decoration or velvetta. ( for B & C dish use the whole container of velvetta melt it in a glass bowl and mix in rice and brocelli.

Make lots!
Make it the night before- sitting tastes better.

Cook a large potion of rice several cups, you want about 8-10 cups. White rice is cheaper, but brown is nice too. Season that rice with dried parsley and then mix the other ingrediants then bake it.

Oven preheat to 350, Let it bake for about 20minutes. I would sprinkle some Fried Onions on top to brown it up or yellow cheese.

You will need to print this out and look it over. These are all great yummy meals and cost under $25 to make. They are tummy fillers for sure. Have a great party.

2006-11-14 12:55:02 · answer #2 · answered by Denise W 6 · 0 0

Veggie platters are boooooring! And somebody will probably bring one already anway.

Your stove doesn't work....

I say you should buy a pack of 12 -18 inch skewers, buy some red and green grapes, strawberries and maybe a musk melon or pineapple chunks....go for different colors.

Wash the fruit, then make fruit ka-bobs alternating between all the different fruit...Maybe green grape, strawberry, red grape, pineapple, etc....make a colorful pattern.

Everyone loves fruit salad and at a potluck people forget to bring fruit!

Each person can just grab a skewer and the fruit won't roll all around or get mixed with the other food on their plate. No utensils are needed, no special sauce, no special bowl and I guarantee that it will be a hit.

You won't go home with any leftovers!

2006-11-14 15:11:24 · answer #3 · answered by ssssss 4 · 0 0

A normal sized serving is usually 6-8 people for a main course and 15-25 for an appetizer. I would recommend an appetizer and this one is super easy, cheap and healthy!
Humus
1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained
2 garlic cloves
2 lemons, juice of
1/4 cup fresh parsley
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
salt
pepper

In a food processor fitted with a steel blade, process the beans, garlic, lemon juice, parsley and sesame oil until ground and smooth.
Slowly add olive oil in a stream until humus is smooth and creamy.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve with chips or pita triangles.

This can easily be doubled and served with cut up veggies as well. I bring this to potlucks all the time and it is always a big hit! Good Luck!

2006-11-14 13:07:51 · answer #4 · answered by Walking on Sunshine 7 · 0 0

Bless your heart for wanting to spend $20 + (& folks contributed $5), and you don't have an oven & don't cook much.

Suggestions:

Tortilla roll ups

Chips, pretzels and dip (spinach is a good one - directions are on the Knorr soup mix or Lipton onion soup box)

Pick up an X-large pizza

Crackers and cheese, crudites (the market has an assortment already cut up - carrot sticks, celery etc.)

Make a deli/cheese platter.

Buy a big bag of frozen - pre-cooked shrimp. Let it thaw, serve on a disposable platter over ice, with a cocktail sauce.

This time of year the market has great take out platters - chicken wings, burritos, shrimp, big deli subs, egg rolls, etc. Check your local market for party trays.

2006-11-14 13:48:18 · answer #5 · answered by MB 7 · 0 0

Since you have little experience at cooking, I would suggest that you get a tray of cold cuts, cheeses, olives, pickles, tomatoes, lettuce, etc.. You can also get several types of bread for people to make sandwiches with. Before I did anything, it would be best if you can find out what the others that are bringing food are actually going to bring so that you don't have duplication. If you have several bringing something, it is much easier to stay within your personal budget.

2006-11-14 17:36:11 · answer #6 · answered by Doug R 5 · 0 0

Make pita pizzas!! They're healthy (low carb!), affordable, and great finger foods.

Preheat your oven to 400. On a sheet pan, lay our a few whole wheat pitas. Dabble some cottage cheese (my fav), some pasta sauce, fresh cut veggies (or try the jarred roasted red peppers!), some chopped garlic (or garlic salt/pepper) and toss on a few fresh basil leaves and some shredded cheese.

Cut into triangles. Delish!

You can also try goat cheese, pepperoni, whatever!

2006-11-14 12:52:21 · answer #7 · answered by NYC Tim 2 · 0 0

1 box of elbo mac about a dollar
1 lb ground beef about 2 dollars (1.98 per pound)
1 bag of shredded mozzerella cheese about a 1.67 but less than 2 bucks
1 lg can of tomatoe sauce about $1 - 1.40
onion (fresh or powdered) about 50 cents

Brown the ground beef add salt, pepper, garlic, onion to taste.
Add tomato sauce

In seperate pot cook the elbo macaroni noodles. Drain and add to the beef mixture.
Sprinkile entire bag of mozzerella cheese to the mix and stir.
Serve.

2006-11-14 12:59:01 · answer #8 · answered by AVA 4 · 0 0

A rellish tray with a veggie dip is always good. I also like to melt velveeta cheese with browned hamburger and salsa into a crock pot for a great tortilla dip. Summer sausage, cheese, and crackers is always a hit. Chocolate chip cookies or bars are a good choice as well.

2006-11-14 12:44:26 · answer #9 · answered by scorpio6 2 · 1 0

CREAMY CUCUMBER SALAD
6-8 cucumbers, peeled and sliced
1 red onion, cut in half, sliced thin
1 bottle Hidden Valley Ranch or Cucumber Ranch dressing

In large bowl, combine all ingredients, tossing to coat the vegetables. Place in refrigerator and chill before serving.

2006-11-14 13:12:38 · answer #10 · answered by Freespiritseeker 5 · 0 0

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