I am going to be having a lunch at my house for daughters baptism..what is a good, inexpensive lunch for 40?

Answer 1

How much do you want to cook? If not at all, how about a meat and cheese tray from the deli of your local grocery store. Put out various types of buns and breads and you can buy the premade macaroni or potato salads, chips, etc. I love the frozen dessert aisle in the grocery store - you can get all kinds of finger-friendly desserts like cheesecake bites, cream puffs, eclairs, that you only need thaw.

If you do like to cook, I'd go with chili or spaghetti or something along those lines. Easy to prepare large batches of those. Maybe some huge bowls of premade, bagged salad with various dressings. Some rolls or bread. And cookie trays for dessert.

Answer 2

Depending on how nice you want to go, a good choice is fried chicken. Believe it or not, Wal-mart actually has really good chicken for sale at their Deli counter. I hate Wal-Mart, but for chicken, their prices can't be beat. This is great for big groups because it's not nearly as expensive as restaurant take-out.

Make some kind of rice side dish, or a quick smashed potato. Take baby red potatoes, cut them in half, boil until done, then mash in butter, bacon bits, and cheddar cheese. They're delicous and easy. Buy canned veggies, Glory brand makes fantastic green beans in large cans.

Also, cook outs are always a good idea. They're inexpensive (hot dogs and hamburgers) and every one always has a good time.

Answer 3

I just had a baptism party at my house on Christmas Eve for about 30 people. I made breakfast casseroles; French Toast casserole, sausage-egg-cheese bake, cheesy hashbrowns, bagels and cream cheese, big bowl of fruit, pumpkin and banana bread, Maple Pecan Ring, OJ, and coffee. And a delicious baptism cake from local bakery. It was a HUGE hit! The casseroles were very inexpensive! I made them the night before, had the oven set to start baking while we were at Church. Very easy! When we got home from Church, all I had to do was set out the coffee creamer and take the hot casseroles out of the oven.

Answer 4

I would buy the huge frozen lasagne packs at Sam's Club. They come in packs of two and serve bunches of people. In the pack is one with meat and one that is meatless. They taste great too!

I would pair the lasagne with grated parmesian cheese, a great salad and breadsticks. That is a super easy, inexpensive lunch for a large bunch of people.

Sam's Club Bakery can also do a sheet cake where they can scan a picture of your daughter onto the cake using edible ink. I had this done for my parents' 50th wedding anniversary - I took the picture of them cutting their wedding cake and had them scan it in sepia tones onto the cake - it turned out beautifully. No distortion on the picture.

Hope these suggestions help.

Answer 5

I find that when i'm in a pinch for something to feed a lot of people for a party, BBQ is a hit. You will need about 15 lbs of hamburger and enough manwich mix to mix with it. Dice up some onions on the side and have some american cheese slices as well to go on the buns for those that like cheese on their bbq. You can also make a jello desert. In a large cake pan place torn up angel food cake and sliced bananas. Make your favorite flavor of jello and allow to set. Once it is set mix it with cool whip and pour it over the angel food and bananas. Allow to thoroughly set and your all done with it.

Answer 6

Spaghetti and Meatballs
Tossed Salad
Italian Bread
Ice tea, Coffee,
Cheese Cake

Answer 7

Well, I wouldn't depend on just one food for 40 people... 'cause everyone has different tastebuds. Make a bunch of different things in big batches like fried chicken, spaghetti, salad, sandwiches, lasagna, and maybe even soup with breadsticks. Stuff that you can just grab like chips, trail mix, and dinner rolls would be good too. A variety will make your lunch look even bigger. =)

Answer 8

A Pasta is a good lunch that you can serve buffet style..perhaps toss in some french bread cut up. You can get a LOT of pasta for very little money and feed a lot of people.

Answer 9

Finger sandwiches, Spinach salad and a fruit bowl with a cheese platter. I have a great spinach salad recipe with water chestnuts and bacon and a home made brown sugar vinaigrette. E mail me if you'd like the recipe

Answer 10

I just wen't through this myself for my daughters baptism. I did a tray of ziti and a crock pot of meatballs (Frozen bag from BJ's Wholesalers) with sauce. dips and crackers , rolls veggie platter pre-made. I also had my mom and my mother in law and whoever offered bring something. And My niece made the cake. It went great and I had leftovers!