52 Bulk Dinner Ideas to Feed a Crowd
PureWow Editors select every item that appears on this page,, and the company may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story You can learn more about that process here. Yahoo Inc. may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.
Read the original article on Purewow.
Your friend, her husband and their three kids are staying with you this weekend. Breakfast is easy, but what the heck are you going to serve everyone for dinner? Relax, I’ve got you covered. Here, 52 crowd-pleasing bulk dinner ideas you can make a big batch of and have on the table in no time. (Now, good luck choosing between roasted cauliflower mac and cheese, white turkey chili and skillet gnocchi with broccoli rabe.)
69 Big-Batch Dishes & Recipes to Feed a Crowd
1. Spicy Slow Cooker Green Chicken Chili
Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 6 hours, 15 minutes
Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
Servings: 6 to 8
In my humble opinion, there are few better ways to feed a crowd than with a big batch of chili. This version switches it up from the usual with tender shredded chicken, creamy white beans and spicy green peppers. (I like to use Hatch chiles, if you can find them.)
2. BLT Galette
Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 3 hours, 30 minutes
Why We Love It: special occasion–worthy, crowd-pleaser
Servings: 8
If you want to impress while also making dinner in bulk, I’d suggest this gorgeous, sandwich-inspired galette. Sure, you could use store-bought crust, but in my experience, the homemade kind is the best part. (Psst: I’ve also filled it with winter squash to great success.)
3. Skillet Roast Chicken with Schmaltzy Potatoes
Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 5 hours, 45 minutes
Why We Love It: special occasion–worthy, one pan, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients
Servings: 4 to 6
Roasting a whole chicken sounds fancy and finicky, but I promise it’s secretly easy to pull off. There are two key tricks: One, brine your bird in buttermilk for a golden brown exterior; and two, use the method I learned from Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat author Samin Nosrat, where you place the chicken in the hottest part of the oven, then rotate it as it cooks. Perfection every time, I swear it.
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
4. Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: one pan, <30 minutes
Servings: 6
If you haven’t tried cooking store-bought gnocchi in a skillet, I can’t recommend it enough. You don’t have to boil the pasta, and it gets crispy on the outside as it becomes soft and fluffy on the inside. (Lucky for you, this bulk dinner idea only takes 30 minutes, too.)
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
5. Ravioli Lasagna Casserole
Time Commitment: 1 hour, 25 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
Servings: 8
Skipping the traditional noodles is an ingenious shortcut that adds cheesy flavor without so much of the effort that a classic lasagna requires. You’ll still have to layer the fillings, but only a few times.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
6. Roasted Cauliflower Macaroni and Cheese
Time Commitment: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, vegetarian
Servings: 6
Pair it with a simple salad and rotisserie chicken for a complete feast. If you’re like me and don’t enjoy cauliflower, roasted broccoli would be equally delicious, or you could even experiment with squash, sweet potatoes or Brussels sprouts if you’re adventurous. Cheesy pasta is forgiving like that.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
7. Polenta Ragu Casserole
Time Commitment: 1 hour, 50 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser
Servings: 6
I get it, sometimes you’re sick of pasta. This casserole swaps in creamy polenta, which tastes fantastic and eliminates the need to fuss with fragile sheets of noodles. Add mushrooms to the ragu for a twist.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
8. Eggplant Parm Casserole
Time Commitment: 55 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian
Servings: 6
Italian cheesy goodness, coming right up. Want my advice? Serve it with a side of toasty garlic bread for the full effect.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
9. Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup
Time Commitment: 1 hour, 10 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
Servings: 8
Everyone’s three favorites (you know, sausage, pasta and cheese), together at last. This bulk dinner idea is as easy as simmering everything together until the flavors meld, then adding the cooked pasta before you serve it.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
10. Rotisserie Chicken Ramen
Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
Servings: 6
It’s waaaay better than the stuff you ate in college, but just as simple to prepare. The secret? Rotisserie chicken, naturally. A spoonful of chile-garlic sauce adds tons of flavor too, but you can skip it if you don’t like spice.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
11. Slow Cooker Stuffed Shells
Time Commitment: 6 hours, 25 minutes
Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, vegetarian
Servings: 6
“Stuffed shells” doesn’t exactly inspire visions of minimal effort meals, but since this bulk dinner idea is made in your slow cooker, it’s surprisingly hands-off.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
12. Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup Casserole
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: vegetarian, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
Servings: 8
Few things are more satisfying than pairing gooey grilled cheese with tangy tomato soup, amiright? This casserole feeds eight and is sure to become a dinnertime favorite.
PHOTO: MICHAEL MARQUAND/STYLING: NISHA VORA
13. Instant Pot Spicy Thai Butternut Squash Soup
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: vegan, gluten free, Instant Pot recipe
Servings: 4 (easily scaled up)
It’s vegan and gluten-free, plus it comes together in the Instant Pot. To puree the soup, the recipe calls for using an immersion blender, but if you don’t have one, I’d suggest letting it cool slightly before using a standard blender. (Then return it to the pot to rewarm before serving.)
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
14. Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, kid-friendly
Servings: 6
A brilliant twist on an old classic, this comforting soup feeds a crowd and requires no special skill to make. Pair it with a crunchy salad to complete the meal.
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
15. White Turkey Chili with Avocado
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly
Servings: 8
While this chili is delicious served the day it’s made, I might argue it’s even better when you reheat it. (Just add fresh avocado.)
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
16. Sheet-Pan Lemon Butter Veggies and Sausage
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: sheet pan recipe, gluten free
Servings: 6
Two things I love: Hands-off dinners and zero dishes (and I bet you love them too). This easy bulk dinner idea ticks both boxes, and it’s adaptable to whatever vegetables you have hiding in your fridge.
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
17. 15-Minute Skillet Pepper Steak
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: one pan, <15 minutes
Servings: 4 (easily scaled up)
Bookmark this one for taco Tuesday or double the recipe and feed it to company. Everyone will be so impressed with how quickly you can get a flavorful dinner on the table.
HELEN CATHCART/TUSCANY
18. One-Pan Creamy Chicken Fricassee with Sage
Time Commitment: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Why We Love It: one pan, gluten free
Servings: 6
My favorite part of this decadent dish? The sauce is thickened with egg yolks and lemons, not heavy cream, so it’s glossy and rich without being heavy or gloopy. Pair it with rice or quinoa to round out your meal.
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
19. Creamy Chicken, Corn and Tomato Skillet
Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients, gluten free
Servings: 4 (easily scaled up)
Just a handful of ingredients and three simple steps are all it takes to make this crowd-pleasing skillet dish. If you use in-season corn and cherry tomatoes, even better.
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
20. Zoodle Stir-Fry
Time Commitment: 22 minutes
Why We Love It: vegan, dairy free, beginner-friendly
Servings: 4 (easily scaled up)
Spice up your weeknights with this vegan-friendly offering. If you don’t have a zoodle-maker, don’t free. What I do instead is thinly julienne the zucchini with a standard chef’s knife, but you could also use a vegetable peeler to make wide, flat ribbons.
NISHA VORA
21. Creamy Vegan Lentil and Roasted Vegetable Bake
Time Commitment: 1 hour, 25 minutes
Why We Love It: vegan, crowd-pleaser
Servings: 8
This comforting, big-batch dish is vegan and can be gluten free, if you top it with pine nuts instead of breadcrumbs. Anyone else want to dig in?
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
22. Sticky Asian Meatballs with Udon Noodles
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: high protein, special occasion–worthy
Servings: 4 (easily scaled up)
Long gone are the days of boring spaghetti and meatballs. Pile the sweet-savory meatballs and noodles onto a platter with thinly sliced scallions, sesame seeds and carrot furls and dinner for a crowd is served.
Damn Delicious
23. Spinach White Bean Soup
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
Servings: 6
I love soups for bulk dinners because you can toss a few ingredients in a pot and end up with something delicious. This one serves six, but I’d suggest making a double batch and freezing the extra for later.
Pinch of Yum
24. Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
Time Commitment: 1 hour, 15 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
Servings: 6
With plenty of Gruyère cheese, the whole family will approve of this bulk dinner. Try trading the broccoli for cauliflower if you feel like switching it up.
The Modern Proper
25. Slow Cooker Chicken Pumpkin Curry
Time Commitment: 4 hours, 15 minutes
Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe, dairy free, gluten free
Servings: 6
Pumpkin gets all the love in lattes and baked goods, but did you know it’s also a savory recipe star? Rich with coconut milk, chicken breast and crisp veggies, this curry lets the Crockpot do all the work while you relax.
Damn Delicious
26. Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken and Veggies
Time Commitment: 8 hours, 15 minutes
Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe, beginner-friendly
Servings: 4 (easily scaled up)
Just ten minutes of prep will reward you with this crowd-pleasing (and healthy) meal. Everything gets combined in the slow cooker, so it really is foolproof.
Pinch of Yum
27. Garlic Butter Shrimp Quinoa
Time Commitment: 55 minutes
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser
Servings: 8
So easy, so full of flavor, so little effort. Serve it with a green salad or another vegetable side and dinner is done.
Half Baked Harvest
28. Creamed Spinach and Wild Rice Casserole
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, gluten free
Servings: 6
Think green bean casserole meets French onion soup. If you want, you could also use kale in place of the spinach for a nutritious twist. (Don’t worry, there’s plenty of dairy in there to offset the greens.)
Gimme Some Oven
29. Cucumber Quinoa Salad
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: <15 minutes, gluten free
Servings: 4 to 6
On the lighter side is this crunchy and refreshing salad, which takes just ten minutes to assemble. It makes a good potluck addition if you want to make it ahead and bring it to a gathering (just saying).
Well Plated by Erin
30. Crockpot Low Carb Lasagna
Time Commitment: 3 hours, 5 minutes
Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe, crowd-pleaser, low carb
Servings: 6
All of the flavor, none of the carbs—what’s the secret? Swapping pasta for eggplant. (You can also use zucchini if you’re not an eggplant fan.)
The Modern Proper
31. Broccoli Beef Soba Bowls
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: dairy free, kid-friendly, <30 minutes
Servings: 6
Chopsticks are optional (but highly encouraged) for this bulk dinner idea. It’s as easy to make as a stir fry, but with a little more intrigue thanks to the noodles.
Joyful Healthy Eats
32. Creamy Goat Cheese Asparagus Quinoa Salad
Time Commitment: 27 minutes
Why We Love It: gluten free, <10 ingredients, <30 minutes
Servings: 4 (easily scaled up)
Trust me: You’re gonna want to make a double batch of this healthy-yet-delicious salad, then serve it to a crowd. Want to make it ahead? It’ll keep for up to five days in the fridge.
Pinch of Yum
33. Crockpot Quinoa Chicken Primavera
Time Commitment: 4 hours, 10 minutes
Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe, high protein, crowd-pleaser
Servings: 8
Did you know a cup of quinoa has eight grams of complete protein? It’s true, and it makes this bulk dinner a nutritional powerhouse. Asparagus, peas and pesto add a burst of freshness.
Carlsbad Cravings
34. Lemon Garlic Shrimp and Asparagus
Time Commitment: 22 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, sheet pan recipe
Servings: 4 to 6
Cook everything on one sheet pan, then pile it on top of rice, quinoa or even romaine lettuce. Voilà, dinner is handled.
Damn Delicious
35. Slow Cooker Sausage, Spinach and White Bean Soup
Time Commitment: 8 hours, 15 minutes
Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe, beginner-friendly
Servings: 8 servings
This hearty soup is the definition of “set it and forget it.” (But with all that sausage and spinach, don’t forget to eat it.)
Pinch of Yum
36. Slow Cooker Beef Ragu with Pappardelle
Time Commitment: 8 hours, 10 minutes
Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
Servings: 8
Just like Nonna used to make, but with way less standing by a pot on the stove. You can thank your slow cooker for that.
Damn Delicious
37. Cheesy Enchilada Rice Skillet
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, one pan, gluten free
Servings: 4 (easily scaled up)
This ooey, gooey skillet would be fine on its own, but allow me to introduce you to the best idea ever: put it in a taco shell.
The Recipe Critic
38. Chicken Parmesan Casserole
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
Servings: 8
This casserole is hearty, cheesy and makes great lunch leftovers if you don’t happen to be feeding eight people at once.
Gimme Some Oven
39. Creamy Farro with White Beans and Kale
Time Commitment: 55 minutes
Why We Love It: one pot, vegetarian
Servings: 4 (easily scaled up)
I like farro because it has enough texture to hold its own against kale, but if you want to substitute something else from your pantry, quinoa or rice would work too.
The Recipe Critic
40. Slow Cooker Chicken and Mushroom Stroganoff
Time Commitment: 5 hours, 5 minutes
Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe, <10 ingredients
Servings: 4 (easily scaled up)
Double it up for a bulk dinner idea that’s ideal for cozy nights. Bonus: It makes the whole house smell amazing.
The Recipe Critic
41. Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon
Time Commitment: 9 hours, 20 minutes
Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe, crowd-pleaser
Servings: 6
Eat your heart out, Julia Child. This classic French dish has a modern twist: It’s made in the slow cooker for the ultimate convenience.
Cotter Crunch
42. Tuna Green Chile Zucchini Casserole
Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: keto-friendly, gluten free, dairy free
Servings: 6
Not only is this tuna casserole crowd-pleasing, it’s also dietary restriction friendly to boot. (Yep, it’s keto, gluten-free, dairy-free and even paleo.)
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
43. Skillet Steak with Asparagus and Potatoes
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: one pan, gluten free, special occasion–worthy
Servings: 2 (easily scaled up)
Never be nervous to cook steak at home again. This one looks (and tastes) fancy, but comes together in a single pan. The recipe serves two as is, but if you have a large enough skillet, you can cook multiple steaks for a crowd.
Gimme Some Oven
44. Everyday Thai Red Curry
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <30 minutes
Servings: 8 to 10
Super quick and easy to make, this Thai-style curry can serve a gaggle of guests in just 30 minutes. Customize it with whatever vegetables you have on hand, like asparagus, bell peppers, broccoli or snap peas.
The Recipe Critic
45. Slow Cooker Lemon Chicken Piccata
Time Commitment: 4 hours, 30 minutes
Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe, beginner-friendly
Servings: 4 (easily scaled up)
A family favorite made simple thanks to that ever-reliable slow cooker. If you’re nervous about the pasta getting overcooked, just make it as you typically would on the stovetop.
The Creative Bite
46. Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Bake
Time Commitment: 55 minutes
Why We Love It: high protein, <10 ingredients
Servings: 5
Easy enough for Monday, impressive enough for Saturday—that’s kind of my dinner recipe ideal. If you, like me, are not the biggest fan of quinoa, try swapping in rice, farro or another grain.
The Modern Proper
47. Slow Cooker Crispy Carnitas
Time Commitment: 8 hours, 15 minutes
Why We Love It: gluten free, dairy free, kid-friendly, slow cooker recipe
Servings: 10
This tender, fall-off-the-bone meat is ideal for tacos, sandwiches and even with fried eggs, plus it makes enough to serve ten people, so it’s a bulk dinner no-brainer.
So Much Food
48. Drunken Noodles (Pad Kee Mao) with Chicken
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, special occasion–worthy
Servings: 4 (easily scaled up)
Who needs takeout? Not you, if you make this homemade version of pad kee mao. The lengthy ingredient list looks intimidating, but it’s as easy to make as stir fry.
Cotter Crunch
49. Risotto-Style Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Time Commitment: 37 minutes
Why We Love It: gluten free, dairy free, low carb, vegetarian
Servings: 4 (easily scaled up)
Meatless never looked so good. This bulk dinner idea features “riced” cauliflower and broccoli that are baked with stock and topped with cheese for a risotto-like effect.
Gimme Some Oven
50. Chicken Enchilada Casserole
Time Commitment: 50 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
Servings: 8
Want to know my trick for effortless, last-minute dinners? Made a casserole like this one, then slice and wrap each square in tinfoil and store it in the fridge. Pop it in the oven when you’re ready to eat.
Gimme Some Oven
51. Vegetarian Gumbo
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: vegetarian, crowd-pleaser
Servings: 8 to 10
Close your eyes and you’re in New Orleans, just minus the usual sausage, chicken and shrimp. I don’t think you’ll miss the meat in this bulk dinner recipe, thanks to cauliflower, mushrooms and (of course) okra.
Feasting at Home
52. Jade Noodles
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, vegetarian
Servings: 4 (easily scaled up)
Pile on the veggies and tofu in this lean, green noodle bowl. It can be served warm or chilled, and even made gluten-free if you use rice noodles.
50 Appetizers for a Crowd That Are Easy, Tasty and Unexpected
