16 Cheap Recipes To Feed A Crowd, Since It’s Gathering Season

16 Cheap Recipes To Feed A Crowd That Are Perfect For Parties & Family Gatherings

Use when the whole gang’s in town and they’ll be here at 6 o’clock.

Whether your relatives are visiting, your book club is meeting, neighbors are stopping by for the big game, or your teenager has friends over for a project, you need affordable meal ideas that won’t strain your budget or keep you in the kitchen for hours. When planning for large groups, I prioritize recipes that produce high volume with minimal ingredients to keep grocery costs down. I also look for crowd-pleasing options, such as burger bowls, where I can set out various toppings and let guests customize their own plates. These recipes accomplish all of that while remaining as budget-friendly as possible.

If you find yourself with leftover turkey and houseguests a few days after Thanksgiving, Princess Pinky Girl’s turkey biscuit stew offers an affordable way to repurpose your poultry. It transforms the meat into a simple, pot-pie-style dish that feels like a brand-new meal.

I am a fan of chicken thigh recipes, especially since they are frequently on sale at local grocery stores. These red curry chicken thighs from All The Healthy Things require only a few seasonings to elevate the flavor, and they are served alongside simple garlic rice and a spicy cucumber salad.

If you need a large batch of shredded chicken for tacos, enchiladas, or rice bowls, this recipe from Princess Pinky Girl is an excellent solution. You simply need a slow cooker, two pounds of chicken breasts or tenders, taco seasoning, two cups of salsa, and the juice of one lime, though the lime is optional.

04 Sheet Pan Garlic Butter Tilapia

Tilapia is among the most affordable fish options, particularly if you purchase frozen filets. This sheet pan recipe from Damn Delicious pairs the fish with simple roasted vegetables, resulting in a meal that feels slightly elevated while remaining very cost-effective.

Ground beef is a staple in most households, making spaghetti, tacos, or burgers reliable go-to meals. For a slight variation, try these burger bowls from All The Healthy Things, which offer all the classic flavors of a burger served over greens rather than on a bun.

This spaghetti aglio e Olio from Damn Delicious is incredibly inexpensive. It is a 30-minute pasta dish topped with breadcrumbs, garlic, Parmesan, olive oil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Serving it with a side salad makes for a complete and satisfying meal.

For a heartier take on pasta, try this baked spaghetti from Tessie’s Table. It produces a full baking dish of cheesy, meat-sauced noodles that will easily satisfy a hungry group. The ingredients are affordable and few in number, yet the final result is delicious.

While many food websites suggest that guest-worthy salads require exotic ingredients, the best ones are often the simplest. Princess Pinky Girl’s lemon Parmesan salad captures the appeal of a classic restaurant-style salad. It requires very few components and pairs perfectly with almost any main course.

Think of this as a elevated version of Hamburger Helper with the added crunch of tortilla chips. This one-pot nacho beef skillet from Damn Delicious has a somewhat long ingredient list, but it mostly consists of common seasonings, and you can easily stick to one type of cheese to save money.

10 Hawaiian Roll Chicken Parm Sliders

Using boneless skinless chicken tenders, Hawaiian rolls, and a jar of marinara, the ingredient list for this recipe from Fresh Apron is both short and affordable. You end up with a full tray of mini chicken parm sandwiches that provide all the saucy, cheesy comfort you want.

11 15-Minute Barbecue Chicken Skillet

This barbecue chicken skillet from Averie Cooks is remarkably simple, requiring only 15 minutes to transform a handful of items into a full meal. It can be served over mac and cheese, alongside roasted potatoes and green beans, or tucked into a wrap.

12 Chorizo Sweet Potato Skillet

This one-skillet dish from Averie Cooks features a short ingredient list and takes only 20 minutes to prepare. Since the recipe yields four servings, you may want to double the batch for a larger crowd, as guests will likely want seconds of this sweet and spicy combination.

There is arguably no dish more budget-friendly than beans and rice. It provides a complete nutritional profile with protein, fiber, and carbohydrates. Whether used as a base for meat, a side dish, or a standalone meal, this recipe from Tessie’s Table ensures the result is flavorful and tender.

14 Slow Cooker Turkey & Bean Chili

Ground turkey is typically more affordable than ground beef, though it can dry out during cooking. Simmering it in a chili, however, solves that issue perfectly. This turkey and bean chili from Fresh Apron is a popular, low-cost option that allows guests to customize their bowls with various toppings.

Baked potatoes are universally liked and very inexpensive. You can prepare individual potatoes and set out bowls of butter, cheese, bacon bits, and other toppings so guests can assemble their own dinner. Princess Pinky Girl’s recipe provides instructions for using an air fryer.

Sheet pan nachos, such as these from My Casual Pantry, are a fun way to feed a group and encourage everyone to dig in. You can use leftover shredded chicken or any cut of chicken found on sale. The level of complexity for the toppings is entirely up to your preference and budget.

Whatever you serve your guests, they’re sure to taste the love in every bite.