Meal ideas for a large family
One-pot or one-pan dishes
One of the easiest ways to make a meal for a large family is to use one pot or one pan. This way, you can cook everything in one go, save time on washing dishes and have less mess to deal with. Some examples of one-pot or one-pan dishes are:
- Chili: You can make a hearty and spicy chili with ground beef, beans, tomatoes, onion, garlic and seasonings. Serve it with cornbread, sour cream and cheese for a complete meal.
- Casserole: You can make a variety of casseroles with different ingredients, such as chicken, broccoli, cheese, rice, pasta, cream of mushroom soup and more. Just layer everything in a baking dish and bake until bubbly and golden.
- Sheet pan dinner: You can roast your protein and vegetables on a single sheet pan in the oven. For example, you can toss chicken thighs, potatoes, carrots and onion with some oil, salt, pepper and herbs and bake for about 40 minutes.
Slow cooker or pressure cooker meals
Another way to make a meal for a large family is to use a slow cooker or a pressure cooker. These appliances can help you cook tender and flavorful dishes with minimal effort. You just need to dump the ingredients in the pot and let it do its magic. Some examples of slow cooker or pressure cooker meals are:
- Pulled pork: You can make succulent pulled pork with a pork shoulder, barbecue sauce, onion, garlic and some spices. Cook it on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours in the slow cooker or for 1 hour in the pressure cooker. Shred the meat and serve it on buns with coleslaw and pickles.
- Beef stew: You can make a hearty beef stew with beef chuck, potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, beef broth, tomato paste and some seasonings. Cook it on low for 7 hours or on high for 3 hours in the slow cooker or for 35 minutes in the pressure cooker. Serve it with bread or biscuits.
- Chicken curry: You can make a creamy and spicy chicken curry with chicken breasts, coconut milk, curry paste, onion, garlic, ginger and some vegetables. Cook it on low for 6 hours or on high for 3 hours in the slow cooker or for 15 minutes in the pressure cooker. Serve it with rice or naan bread.
Make-ahead or freezer-friendly meals
Another way to make a meal for a large family is to make it ahead of time or freeze it for later. This way, you can save time on busy days and have something ready to heat and eat. Some examples of make-ahead or freezer-friendly meals are:
- Lasagna: You can make a classic lasagna with ground beef, tomato sauce, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese and lasagna noodles. You can assemble it in advance and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours or freeze it for up to 3 months. Bake it in the oven until hot and bubbly.
- Burritos: You can make your own burritos with tortillas, refried beans, cheese, salsa, chicken, beef or whatever you like. You can wrap them individually in foil and refrigerate them for up to 3 days or freeze them for up to 3 months. Reheat them in the oven or microwave.
- Soup: You can make a big batch of soup with your favorite ingredients, such as chicken noodle soup, vegetable soup, minestrone soup or lentil soup. You can store it in an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 4 days or freeze it for up to 6 months. Reheat it on the stove or microwave.
These are some meal ideas that can help you feed your large family without too much stress. Try them out and see what works best for you and your loved ones.
