What inexpensive dish can I make for 100 people?

Question

I offered to bring something to a friend's wedding reception because I felt sorry for her since she couldn't afford catering. I then found out that there are over 80 guests who have RSVP'd that they are coming. Plus I am sure some will come who did not RSVP. She had previously told me it would be a small wedding iwth not more than 20 or 30 people. Now I need to take something for 100+/- people I guess. Does anyone know of any inexpensive dishes I can make for that many people?

Answer 1

pans of lasagna or casseroles-you can buy cheap aluminum pans to bake them in and they can be frozen so you can make them in advance
Mexican Chicken Casserole

4 lb chicken; cooked
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can Rotel tomatoes
1/2 cup chicken stock
2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 pkg corn chips
2 onions; finely chopped
3 cup sharp cheese; grated

Cut chicken in bite size pieces. Combine soups, tomatoes, chicken
stock, salt and pepper. In a 3 qt casserole, layer corn chips,
chicken, tomato mixture, onions and cheese in the order given. Bake
at 350F for 45 mins. May be frozen. Makes 8 servings.

Answer 2

Sweetie,in this case pastas come in handy.Spaghetti,or lasagna would be your best bet.You can make a large quantity for an inexpensive amount per portion(Not to mention the quality of the product).Beans and rice are also some cheap ideas.When is this wedding?Soups may also be a good idea.Find a really filling soup such as patato soup.Patatoes are inexpensive for the quantity you get.You will also need cheese,i would suggest velveeta for this but as much as you have to make,i would use a basic American Cheese.You also will need onion,celery,cream or milk,salt and pepper.Soup may be a good idea if the wedding is soon,and the weather is cold.Soup and/or pasta are probably your most inexpensive dishes for large quantitys..You control the ingredients and you really want to try dishes that fill up people rather than have them snacking,because if you snack you eat more,if you have foods that fill them up,theyll eat smaller portions and your food will go further.Either of those are good ideas.Good luck hun and have a good day!!

Answer 3

WOW - you are a good friend! I would have made a dish to serve 20 since that's the original number she gave me :)

A rice dish would be the easiest since you can make it ahead of time and reheat it - like paillea (I don't know how to spell Pie-a-ah)
sorry!
Basically it's a lot of rice with some chicken or sausage, peppers onions, some people add shrimp - basically it a lot of rice with good flavor but doesn't have a lot of expensive ingredients in it!

The only bad thing about spagetti is the keeping the noodles from getting too soft - and you have to cook it there. A rice dish you can cook and then reheat at the reception.

Answer 4

Boiled Rice with a choice of curry sauces (1) Chicken (2) Beef (3) Pork (4) Fish (5) Prawn (6) Shrimp (7) Turkey (8 ) Plain

Make on large pan of any curry sauce and divide into 8 separate serving bowls and add the ingredients 1-8. Make sure they are ready cooked.

Answer 5

The cheapest thing I can think of would be to get a few Boston Butts (pork roasts) and simmer those till very tender. Shread the meat and add BBQ sauc for BBQ beef sandwiches. Ask your friend to supply the rolls since she changed the number of guests. Or if youre real nice you will supply the rolls. Good luck!!

Answer 6

Pasta is always really cheap for large numbers. You could even have multiple choices such as spaghetti with marinara sauce, penne with a meat sauce, and possibly fettuccine with alfredo sauce. All are easy and fairly cheap. Making garlic bread from several loaves of french bread and basic salad with Italian dressing can also be cheap if you buy the ingredients from Costco or a warehouse club.

Answer 7

GO TO WALMART! They have VERY inexpensive snack and finger foods! It's still going to cost something but hey what are friends for! Go to the deli area of a walmart that has hot foods. They do sandwiches, chicken , meats, cheese and they don't charge you outrageous prices! then you can just set it up your self! So you don't have the cost of the caterer! And you are not asking guests to provide food. That is a little rude:)

Answer 8

first of all your friend should not expect you to foot a bill for over 100 people & how can she afford a wedding of 100+ when she can't afford 20-30 people. that being said, maybe she or you could talk to some other friends & make it like a pot luck . maybe sandwiches. a couple of people can use the 12 in. french breads they sell in the stores & make different sandwiches then slice them @ the recep. someone could make salads & someone else could make a veggi tray, maybe someone could bring chips & dips or even nachos. good luck

Answer 9

That depends on if the item can be warmed up or stay at room temperature. I would probably make a few large salads with lots of color. Mix several types of greens, tomatoes, cukes, onions, carrots, red and yellow pepper strips and toss them with a real nice dressing about 30 minutes before serving.

Answer 10

Your a great friend! Two questions - is a sit down dinner, cocktail reception or buffet? formal or casual? Here's some suggestions. If it's undecided go for the casual cocktail reception. And if you can go to a Price Club or restaurant supply stores (some are open to the public) as you can get large quantities cheaply. Also look into rentals for your plates (you get to send them back dirty)

Cocktail - Set up stations around the room
Meat balls with sweet & sour sauce (bite size with toothpicks)
Veggies and dip (cool idea is to use small cups with dip in the bottom and veggies sticking up out.
Small crackers with a cream cheese spread and a little red pepper
Bruschetta

Buffet
Pasta - A tomato sauce with inexpensive vegetables like broccolli
Chicken
Veggies

Sit Down - Recruit a bunch of your friends to help with plating and serving (have some serving while others are plating)
Pasta
Roast Chicken (you can get whole chickens on sale cheap) - serve with roast potatoes and steamed veggies (combo of carrots, turnip, brocolli, cauliflower is cheap and looks good)
Pork Scaloppine (get uncleaned cryovac tenderloins at priceco) - serve with roast potatoes and steamed veggies (combo of carrots, turnip, brocolli, cauliflower is cheap and looks good)

Good luck!

Answer 11

Well when you are talking about 100 people you are talking about a lot of food which is not cheap in the first place... i would make like chicken salad sandwhiches cut up in squares...get veggies and dip...trays of crackers and cheese...not a meal just like appetizers...that would be easier to do good luck