Looking for easy, budget-friendly meals to feed a large family? These 25 simple dinner ideas are perfect for big families! Simple recipes + inexpensive ingredients? I’ve got you!
What are the best meals to feed a large family without breaking the bank?
Coming from a big family myself (I have twelve siblings!) this is a topic I feel like I can speak to pretty easily. Whether your whole crew is as big as my family’s growing up or you’re planning on hosting a large family or another large group, this blog post is for you.
We’re going to take a look at 25 different easy meal ideas—all with simple ingredients—that will feed a crowd even on a tight budget. Whether you’re using your slow cooker, Instant Pot, or just want to cook something up with minimal effort, there are great dinner ideas here for everyone.
Big families are extra aware of the food budget—after all, just the grocery store bill for one week can be pretty high when you have a lot of family members. But don’t worry, if you’re looking for cheap family dinner ideas, you’re in the right place. (And I have lots more budget-friendly meals and easy dinner ideas here and on my YouTube channel as well!)
Best Meals to Make for Large Families
1. Million Dollar Spaghetti
This hearty pasta dish is perfect for freezing ahead of time and it makes quite a lot! This recipe calls for cream cheese instead of ricotta cheese.
2. Shredded BBQ Sandwiches
Just toss a pork loin or tenderloin in your slow cooker and let it do all the work. This meal requires very little prep and serves a crowd. Try it with homemade BBQ sauce or the bottled stuff – it’ll be yummy either way!
3. Taco Stack Up
This is a fun and flexible meal where everyone can build their own taco / taco salad plate. Set out toppings like sour cream, cheese, guacamole, tomatoes, salsa, green onions, and red onion for a meal that’s great for picky eaters.
4. Chicken Fajitas
This is our go-to dish when we have guests over. Pablo grills up a bunch of chicken and I sauté peppers and onions for a flavorful and easy meal that everyone loves.
5. Make-Your-Own Salad Bar
Let everyone personalize their dinner with a variety of toppings and dressings. You can also switch it up by doing a baked potato bar for another customizable and budget-friendly option.
6. Chicken Spaghetti
Chicken spaghetti is another great dish that makes a lot and freezes well.
7. Chicken Salad Sandwiches
Chicken salad sandwiches are great to make ahead of time. Serve them with chips, fruit, or fresh veggies and they’re the perfect easy meal for family gatherings.
8. Breakfast for Dinner
Serve up pancakes, eggs, and sausage for a crowd-pleasing meal that’s quick to make and fun for kids and adults alike. (Seriously, has anyone ever complained about breakfast for dinner?)
9. Sloppy Joes
This classic meal is filling, easy to prepare, and budget-friendly. Add some garlic salt or chili powder to give it an extra kick of flavor.
10. No-Peek Chicken Casserole
Throw everything into a baking dish, cover it tightly, and let it cook. If you grew up loving casseroles then you’ll definitely enjoy this easy recipe.
11. Baked Ziti
Use pantry staples like tomato sauce, ricotta or cottage cheese, and parmesan to make a big tray of baked ziti. It’s great for feeding a lot of people and reheats well too.
12. Taco Soup
This one-pot soup uses ground beef, corn, beans, and taco seasoning. It’s incredibly simple and makes enough to feed the whole family with leftovers. This is my kids’ favorite soup by far!
13. White Chicken Chili / Chicken Tortilla Soup
These soups are creamy, comforting, and easy to make in large batches. Top with sour cream, shredded cheese, and tortilla chips for a fun twist.
14. Ground Beef Fried Rice
This quick dish tastes like takeout and is made with ground beef, frozen veggies, and soy sauce. It’s an easy way to stretch a pound of meat into a full meal and is easily double for feeding a crowd!
15. Mexican Chicken Casserole
This yummy recipe is seriously one of the easiest casseroles you’ll ever make! (And my husband – who is not a casserole person – is a fan!)
16. Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
Use cooked chicken breasts or a rotisserie chicken to save time. Add some shredded cheese and breadcrumbs on top and bake until bubbly.
17. Poppyseed Chicken
This creamy casserole is great for making ahead or freezing. The cracker topping adds the perfect golden crunch to every bite. I usually serve this recipe over egg noodles. Yum!
18. Change Your Life Chicken
You won’t believe how crispy and flavorful these oven-roasted chicken thighs get. Cooked on top of green beans, sweet potatoes, and whatever other veggies you prefer, this meal looks super impressive but is actually really easy to make! Serve with rolls for a simple, crowd-pleasing dinner.
19. Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggies
This is an easy, one-pan meal that can be adjusted to whatever vegetables you have on hand. We like using red onion, bell peppers, and a variety of potatoes with the sausage for color and flavor.
20. Burgers and Hotdogs on the Grill
This is a no-fuss meal that’s always a winner at cookouts or family celebration dinners. Keep it simple with buns, condiments, and a side of chips or baked beans.
21. Homemade Pizza
My mom used to make homemade pizzas for our big family and we all loved them. (And you can make extra dough and freeze it for next time!)
22. Crockpot Drumsticks with Potatoes
Slow cook your drumsticks with potatoes for a meal that’s easy to prep and perfect for feeding a lot of people.
23. Baked Mac and Cheese
This creamy, cheesy comfort food is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. This is my mom’s recipe and it’s definitely my favorite.
24. Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup
This classic combo makes a cozy, budget-friendly meal. Upgrade the soup to a tomato bisque for a restaurant-quality twist.
25. Sub Sandwiches
Pick up some hoagie rolls and lay out meats, cheeses, and toppings so everyone can build their own sandwich. It’s simple, filling, and great for big families.
Final Thoughts
These easy dinner ideas for large families will hopefully save you a lot of time and stress while still delivering delicious recipes for your whole family.
Try one (or a few!) next time you’re planning meals for a crowd and let me know which ones everyone loved the most!
What are your favorite large family dinners? Let me know in the comments!
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