Let’s get real—feeding a crowd of 50 people doesn’t have to feel like you’re draining your wallet dry or running a short-order kitchen. You’re here because you need cheap meals for a crowd of 50, and you want it to be doable, honestly delicious, and actually fun for everyone (including you). Is it possible? Absolutely. You can serve up warm, filling, and crowd-pleasing food on a shoestring and still have enough energy (and sanity) left to enjoy the party, reunion, potluck, or wherever all these hungry folks are coming from.
If you’re looking for the nitty-gritty on how to plan, shop, cook, and serve cheap meals for 50 with confidence, you’re right where you need to be. This isn’t about settling for bland or “good enough”—we’re here to stretch your dollar and fill some bellies, all while keeping things approachable and real.
Game Plan For Big Groups
You’re not the only one who’s stared at a grocery cart and thought, “How on earth do I pull this off?” First thing’s first—planning is your superpower here. Start by thinking about portions, preferences, and the big picture:
- How much food will you need? Don’t guess—double-check your math.
- Does anyone have food allergies or strong preferences (vegetarian, gluten-free, etc.)?
- What’s your budget? It’s okay to set a low cap—just don’t surprise yourself at checkout.
- Do you have space to make and store everything? (Trust me, you don’t want to figure this out late.)
The goal is to be realistic about what you can make in the time (and with the help, tools, and stove space) you have, not just what you dream about on Pinterest. A little honest planning now means a lot less midnight panic-baking later.
How Much Do You Really Need?
It’s easy to over- or under-shoot when you’re cooking for dozens. A quick-and-dirty rule: plan about 1 cup prepared main dish (chili, stew, casserole) per person, plus a healthy scoop of a couple of sides. For 50 guests, you’ll want:
| Meal Component | Amount for 50 |
|---|---|
| Main (e.g., chili) | 3–4 gallons (about 48–64 cups) |
| Side (rice, bread, salad) | 1 full-sized roasting pan/tray each |
| Dessert (brownies, fruit) | 2 large sheet pans or 3–4 dozen pieces |
Always round up a little—leftovers are a blessing, not a curse!
Budgeting Smarts
Your budget is the boss, but you get to call the shots on where to spend and where to save. Dried beans and rice are your best friends (seriously, they’re like magic), and bulk veggies will keep things colorful and healthy. Save your splurges for good bread, cheese, or something that makes the meal pop. Sometimes, nailing it just means sticking to the simple stuff. According to community experts, staple-based meals like stews, casseroles, and baked pasta win every time for big groups [source].
Meal Formulas That Just Work
If you’re asking yourself, “What on earth do you even cook for 50 people?!”—don’t worry, you’re not alone. The good news? There are battle-tested formulas that take the stress out of big-group cooking, whether this is your first rodeo or your fiftieth church potluck.
All-You-Can-Spoon Soups & Stews
I’d bet my last can of beans that there’s nothing as reliable as a good pot of stew, chili, or soup. You can make huge quantities in a few big pots, it’s easy to stretch a little meat or totally skip it, and you can prep it a day or two ahead—bonus! If you need make-ahead inspiration, check out these recipes for large groups make-ahead.
My Go-To Chili For a Crowd
Take a big bag of dried beans, some ground beef (or turkey, or skip it altogether), canned tomatoes, onions, and spices. Let it simmer for hours. Add corn, peppers, or whatever’s in season. Ladle it up with tortilla chips or rice, and you’re golden. This dish has saved my butt more than once when my guest list suddenly doubled!
Casseroles & Baked Pastas
If you can make it in a roaster pan, it’s your friend. Think baked ziti, lasagna (yes, even vegetarian), or enchilada casserole. Fill it out with canned tomatoes, bulk pasta, and plenty of cheese—grate it yourself, it’s way cheaper per pound. These are easy meals for large groups because you can prep them the night before and just bake the day of your event according to Taste of Home.
Budget-Smart Tip
Buy your pasta when it’s on sale and freeze extra cheese. Most baked casseroles are happy to hang out in the fridge for a day or two before baking—or even in the freezer for a month. That’s advanced stress reduction, right there!
Build-Your-Own Bars
If you want to guarantee grins at every table, set up a taco bar, baked potato bar, or even a make-your-own sub sandwich spread. These are easy meals for large family gatherings because they cut down on the plating chaos and let picky eaters pick what they like. Serve up big trays of fillings, rice, and toppings—use your slow cookers or roasting pans to keep things hot and hassle-free according to Heavenly Homemakers.
Pro-Host Secret
A taco bar lets you prepare beans, taco meat, rice, and a heap of veggies for a few bucks a head. Sprinkle a little cheese, stack some tortillas, and everyone builds their own meal. Way less stress for you, way more fun for them!
Cheap But Tasty Menus
Don’t worry—you don’t have to invent the wheel. Here’s a cheat sheet with ideas inspired by pros and home cooks alike (39 cheap meals for large families has more picks to riff on):
- Classic chili with cornbread
- Baked ziti or lasagna (with or without meat)
- Taco rice bowls—rice + seasoned beans or meat + toppings
- BBQ pulled chicken on buns, with slaw
- Vegetarian lentil stew, served over rice or with crusty bread
- Shepherd’s pie (bulk up with mashed potatoes and seasonal veg)
- Loaded baked potato bar (finish with beans, cheese, veggies, and a little bacon for flavor)
- DIY sandwich trays: hoagie rolls, lunch meat, sliced cheese, and fixings
- Easy meal for 10 people—just multiply the portions
- Big-batch soups (vegetable, chicken noodle, minestrone, split pea)
For sides? Rice, roasted veggies, simple salads (bulk greens, chopped veg, light vinaigrette), and bread always win. And for dessert, nothing beats sheet pan brownies or a mountain of fresh fruit.
Easy Steps: Feeding 50 Without Losing Your Mind
1. Choose Food That Scales
Pasta, rice, beans, potatoes, and stews are easy to expand for bigger groups. Don’t pick recipes that need endless last-minute assembly—go ahead and give yourself a break!
2. Shop Smart
Bulk warehouses, discount grocers, and ethnic food markets can save you big money. When possible, buy in-season produce or take advantage of grocery store markdowns for bread and cheese. Want more on this? There are lists of tried-and-true tips at easy meals for large family gatherings.
3. Do As Much Ahead As Possible
Many cheap meals for a crowd of 50 are awesome make-ahead options—chili, baked pastas, and casseroles get better after resting. Prep what you can the night (or even the week) before, then just heat and serve. Your future, less frazzled self will thank you.
4. Set Up A Buffet (Or “Bar”)
Buffets are a lifesaver, especially with big groups. It’s easier for you (less serving), plus everyone gets just what they want. It’s a win-win for picky eaters and seconds lovers alike.
5. Lean On Simple, Bulk Sides
A huge green salad, roasted veggies, or piles of garlic bread are hard to mess up and always crowd-pleasers. If you’re feeling brave, buy one giant watermelon and cube it—easy, cheap, and refreshing!
What About Special Diets?
I get it. Cooking easy meals for large family gatherings on a budget can be daunting enough…but then throw in gluten-free, vegetarian, or dairy-free diets and you might feel like throwing in the towel. Take a breath! Go for base recipes (like rice bowls or baked potato bars) that can be dressed up or down, and keep all the toppings and extras on the side. Nobody goes hungry, nobody feels left out.
Menu Example: Real-World Meal For 50
Need an example? Here’s how I fed 52 (counting a few last-minute stragglers) at this wild family reunion last summer—
- Main: Triple-batch chili (10 lbs beans, 5 lbs ground beef, three big cans tomatoes, all the veg I could fit in the pot)
- Side: 5 pans cornbread (yes, baked the day before and reheated)
- Salad: Three bulk bags of mixed greens with chopped cucumber, red onion, and shredded carrot
- Dessert: Giant tray brownies, cut small
- Drinks: Lemon water (because, you know, sticky punch on carpet…)
My biggest tip: enlist helpers! The team effort made it fun (trust me, chopping 20 onions is way better with a friend or three). And when we ran a bit short on cornbread, folks just loaded up on salad and chili—no complaints, just laughter and some seriously full bellies.
Save More: Substitutes And Smart Swaps
Use canned beans if dried is too much hassle. Substitute veggies for half the meat. Fresh is lovely, but frozen works just as well for most recipes. The tastiest meals for large groups come from a mix of creativity, flexibility, and not being afraid to make swaps when the budget (or the pantry) demands it.
Satisfy, Save, And Savor
Most importantly: don’t stress about being perfect. Feeding 50 or more is a challenge, yes, but it’s also a chance to get creative and gather your people around the table. Remember, nobody’s expecting a five-star restaurant—just warm, filling food, good company, and a host who isn’t hiding in the pantry by dessert time. So gather your pots, round up your helpers, and trust that with these easy meals for large groups, you’ve got what you need to wow your crowd without busting your budget.
If you’ve pulled off a winning meal for a crowd—on a tight budget or with a magic trick of your own—what worked for you? Maybe you’ve got that unbeatable bean chili recipe, or a hack to keep all the casseroles warm without a commercial oven. I’d love to hear your stories and ideas! And if you’re still on the fence about which dishes to make or how much to plan, just reach out—there’s a whole community of seasoned cooks and first-timers out here rooting for you.
Remember, big-hearted meals don’t always need big budgets. Happy cooking, and may your crowd leave the table happy and full!
