Food ideas for a party at home for 20 that won't break the bank

mrsb83_2

It's my birthday in a couple of weeks and I'm having a party at home for around 20 people.

I want to serve something substantial to eat as there'll be a lot of drinking.

I don't really want to do a buffet as it's a lot of work and I don't have much time. I will if I have to though. I'm struggling to think of good ideas that aren't just a big pot of curry/stew. As it's August these just seem wrong.

Also, must be easy to eat with one hand and no fish/seafood.

Thank you in advance!

crazygirl

How about some big home made pizzas with different toppings on each?

vasseur

I was thinking chilli with lovely french bread but then saw you didn't like the idea of a stew. Then jacket potatoes but they're not so easy to eat.

Looks like sandwiches then!

vasseur

crazygirl wrote: »

How about some big home made pizzas with different toppings on each?

Great idea! Quiche maybe and some big bowls of salad?

mrsb83_2

polesalot wrote: »

I was thinking chilli with lovely french bread but then saw you didn't like the idea of a stew.

My first thought was also chilli, but would it be OK in August? Seems like a winter party food to me (although I eat it all year!).

lilac_lady

Scottish stovies (google recipes) are great for mopping up alcohol. They're very popular at Hogmany. (google that word too).

rubyru

What about a couple of big lasangna's and a chicken pasta bake, crusty bread, garlic bread, salads and coleslaw and things and make two/three desserts like cheesecake, big chocolate cake, pavlova. Have you access to somewhere like costco?

mrsb83_2

rubyru wrote: »

What about a couple of big lasangna's and a chicken pasta bake, crusty bread, garlic bread, salads and coleslaw and things and make two/three desserts like cheesecake, big chocolate cake, pavlova. Have you access to somewhere like costco?

Baked pasta sounds good, would do well being prepped in advance, and makes meat stretch further.

I'll be baking a layer cake and cupcakes too.

cat_smith

Pasta salad. No worrying about it being hot. Easy to put in bowls.

louise3965

I'd do couscous and a morrocan tagine or something - loads of lovely cheap lentils and lots of spices. Serve wuth hummus and baba ganoush and salad x

mrsb83_2

louise3965 wrote: »

I'd do couscous and a morrocan tagine or something - loads of lovely cheap lentils and lots of spices. Serve wuth hummus and baba ganoush and salad x

Ooooh that sounds great! Thank you!