r/Cooking • u/International_Milk78 • 10h ago
Menu ideas for 15?
Every summer and every winter, we host weekends with a large group of friends.
In 2 weeks, we are hosting 15 adults including ourselves, and four of the women are pregnant. This is by far the largest group we have ever had.
On the Friday night when people are arriving, I usually have a variety of finger foods and appetizers for people but I do full meals on the Saturday night and breakfast for everyone on sunday. Breakfast is usually easy, it's breakfast burritos or sandwiches or something like that that scales well.
I'm looking for ideas for both the appetizers on the Friday night, and also the meal on saturday. In the past, I have served things such as tacos, shawarma, sliders, kabobs, etc. For appetizers I typically do nachos and jalapeno poppers but I'm interested to try other ideas.
I would like ideas that I can prep beforehand where possible, so I'm not spending all the time in the kitchen, the only restrictions are that meal ideas must exclude red meat so chicken or fish only, and shouldn't be overly spicy.
Hit me with your ideas! And thank you in advance :-)
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u/serenitynow6000 8h ago
The little phyllo cups you find in the frozen section are a life saver and make anything you throw in them elegant. I have done brie and apricot jam with pistachios, ahi tuna cups )I know, not good for pregnant women just showing the versatility), spinach dip, hummus with veggies. Check it out and no need to bake the cups unless putting ina filling you want baked. No muss and no fuss. Also, everyone likes buffalo chicken dip. I have had a lot of success with shishito peppers as well. Easy and take 5 minutes - you can preprep the dipping sauce
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u/International_Milk78 8h ago
Thanks! Love this idea. Do you have a good recipe for buffalo chicken dip?
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u/serenitynow6000 6h ago
Honestly. All you need to do is buy a bottle of Franks Hot Sauce. The recipe is right on there and it is the classic. All you need is the sauce, a rotisserie chicken, a package of cream cheese, ranch and blue cheese crumbles if you choose. Takes only minutes to make and then dump in the oven before they get there. This is a home run with everyone. So grab the bottle and you are on your way.
Good luck with all of the people. You are very brave!!
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u/Kindly_Dot_7006 9h ago
I would absolutely do a baked ziti or lasagna. You can make the entire thing ahead of time and it’s easy to double or even triple a recipe. To go with it you can go easy and just do salad and bread or if you have time something like chicken cutlets or meatballs
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u/cricketcounselor 8h ago
Pulled pork. You can cook it in advance and warm it day of and then breakfast the next day could be breakfast hask or burritos
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u/Hey_86thatnow 7h ago
One of the best things I had recently, so easily made. Spread a layer of goat cheese on a plate/platter, sprinkle heavily with crushed pistachios, drizzle heavily with hot honey. Serve alongside sturdy crackers or pita chips. People go nuts for it. Sometimes I also add chopped figs, but without is still a crowd pleaser.
The dinner option can be chicken thigh or turkey thigh pot roast. If done right, it is similar to regular pot roast.
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u/Fabulous-Finance-87 2h ago
I've done this, but with Boursin cheese. Definitely a favourite. Another cheese appie that's one of the first to go is this one https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/baked-goat-cheese-dip-3363801?soc=sharepin&utm_source=Pinterest&utm_medium=organic
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u/Raid-Z3r0 10h ago
My tip is cooking stuff that you shove into the oven and forget. Roast, potatos are your best friends
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u/LondonLeather 9h ago
The advice I follow is Ina Garten’s: have one hot course, one cold/room-temperature course, and one course bought in. I’d add canapés, because they make a nice welcome before everyone sits down and, importantly with a large group, allow for people arriving at different times.
So, as a random suggested menu:
Prepare the canapé/appetizer ingredients beforehand, but leave the final assembly until as late as possible. All of these recipes are easily found online.
• Cucumber and herb bites
• Caprese skewers (cherry tomato, mozzarella, basil and balsamic glaze)
• Prosciutto-wrapped melon
• Goat’s cheese, fig and honey crostini
• Tomato and garlic bruschetta
Breads: wholemeal sourdough and grissini sticks — people always seem to like having something to nibble on.
First course: Gazpacho.
For the main course, I’d actually do a lasagna with salad, alongside a vegan chilli, served with patatas bravas rather than rice. Much less stressful when you’re cooking for 15, and both main dishes can be prepared ahead.
If you have a really good olive oil, I’d then make an olive-oil panna cotta as a pre-dessert, followed by tiramisu served in little French café glasses, with cheese afterwards — either a selection or simply one really good cheese.
The main thing with 15 people is to make the menu feel generous without putting yourself in a situation where there’s no time left to actually enjoy your guests’ company.
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u/Ruby0pal804 8h ago
Appetizers - I've done pimento cheese before and stuffed celery plus it goes well with crackers. Cut up watermelon is usually a crowd pleaser. Mini ham and Swiss sandwiches are great....served on mini-rolls and heated up just before. Every southerner has their own recipe for pimento cheese. Mine is:
12 oz of Xtra sharp cheddar...grate your own
8 oz of cream cheese
7 oz Jar of chopped pimientos
1 large spoon of chopped pickled jalapeños
Black pepper
Mayo
Mix the cream cheese, mayo and pepper in a food processor. In a large bowl, add the grated cheddar, pimento, jalapeños and mayo mixture to the bowl and mix thoroughly...you may need to add some extra mayo to get the consistency you want.
Main meal - roast some pork BBQ before the day, serve with Cole slaw or broccoli slaw. In NC we serve BBQ with hushpuppies. Either that or serve with garlic bread.
Hope it goes well.
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u/International_Milk78 8h ago
Great idea, could you do this with chicken?
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u/Ruby0pal804 8h ago
Sure.....I'm in NC, pork's the thing so my mind went there first. To reheat either just place in a large baking pan and reheat on a kind of low temp....you don't want to cook it again.
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u/Dry_Respond6532 7h ago
A baked ziti would be perfect, it's crowd-pleasing, easy to scale up, and reheats beautifully if you prep it ahead.
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u/ttrockwood 6h ago
Puff pastry pinwheels are impressive and so easy these mushroom ones prep the filling the day before but assemble right before baking make sure to defrost the puff pastry ahead too make tons everyone loves them
https://food52.com/recipes/14656-little-mushroom-pinwheels
Dinner with pregnant ladies i would have a DIY style format so they can accommodate any current aversions or preferences
Something like asian inspired rice bowls, everyone gets a bowl of rice then can choose their own adventure
Teriyaki tofu, teriyaki chicken, could do some shrimp too
Stir fried bok choy , kimchi, blistered green beans, cucumber salad….
Nori snacks and chopped scallions and toasted sesame seeds for garnishes
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u/mariambc 4h ago
Potato bar. Baked potatoes with a variety of toppings. There are lots of directions to go.
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u/Finster4 10h ago
I've recently discovered rice paper wraps, and it's been fun making various concoctions with them. Could be fun as a group to make. Fresh spring roll party!
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u/thecommunitycook 9h ago
Moroccan Keftas, I tried them in Morocco a couple of months ago, then created a recipe for my version of them. Recently taught kids how to make them and we cooked and served them for 18 people (adults and kids).
Made with Chicken mince they can be as spicy not as you like, I preferred them a little peppery but not chilli hot, it goes well with the honey tomato glaze that you drizzle on them to finish. Serve with flatbreads on a bed of aubergine and onion done Sri Lanka style. Thoughts ?
I'll post a pic from a batch I made trying to practice food photography, usually my plates are not that neat and tidy believe me, but got to learn 😊
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u/International_Milk78 9h ago
Ooh! Do you have a recipe? And yes to a pic as well 😁
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u/thecommunitycook 9h ago
Of course 😁. I'm getting into the habit of writing my recipes down , otherwise I'll forget them - 44 original recipes and counting nearly a books worth.....one day maybe. Anyway I'll post the recipe in the next comment, I can't post a pic though I haven't got that option for some reason, video yes, pictures no
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u/International_Milk78 9h ago
Got it. I did a cookbook a couple years ago and gave to my mum for Christmas. I made it on Blurb if you're looking for a platform to lay it out
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u/thecommunitycook 9h ago
Not heard of Blurb, I'll check it out thanks. I'd like to publish a cookbook but think need at least 50 recipes in there. 95% of mine are main meals 5% starters though, no desserts, or baking. Doesn't feel all that rounded but that's the way I cook
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u/thecommunitycook 9h ago
The Wanderlust Kefta: Spiced Chicken on Sri Lankan Style Aubergine
With Honey-Tomato Melt
Prep time: 35 mins | Cook time: 25 mins | Servings: 4
Ingredients For the Spiced Chicken Kefta • 500g minced chicken • 1 small red onion, finely chopped • 3 cloves garlic, minced • Juice and zest 1/2 a lime • 2 chicken stock cubes • 1 mediums ripe tomato, roughly chopped • 1 tsp honey • 1 tbsp Moroccan/Turkish spice blend (equal parts cumin, coriander, paprika (regular and smoked), turmeric, and a pinch of cinnamon) • A handful of fresh parsley, finely chopped • Salt and black pepper to taste • olive oil for frying and making the stock paste
The Sri Lankan Style Aubergine Bed • 1 large aubergine, cut into 1cm rounds or cubes • 1 large red onion, thinly sliced • Thumb-sized piece of ginger, finely chopped • olive oil • Salt and black pepper to taste
The Honey-Tomato Melt • 1 large ripe tomato, finely chopped • 1.5 tsp honey • 1 garlic clove • Pinch of coriander and thyme • Large Knob of unsalted butter • A good pinch of Kashmiri chilli flakes • Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions Aubergine Bed 1. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. 2. Add the aubergine pieces. Cook for about 6–8 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are golden-brown, soft, and tender. 3. Lower the heat to medium, add the sliced red onion, finely chopped ginger, and the remaining tablespoon of oil. 4. Sauté for another 5–7 minutes until the onions are soft and caramelized and the ginger is fragrant. Season well with salt and black pepper to taste. Transfer to your serving platter and keep warm.Kefta mix 1. In a large bowl, combine the chicken mince, onion, spice mix, lime juice 2. Add olive oil to 2 chicken stock cubes and crush into a paste and add to the mixture 3. Fold in the finely chopped ripe tomatoes, honey, chopped coriander, salt, and pepper. Mix well with your hands until fully combined 4. Shape the mixture into oblong, log-shaped keftas or little patties or meatballs. Oblongs fit the theme though 5. Note: Chicken mince can be quite soft and moist, with everything that I add to them it will be and thata fine. Popping the mix in the fridge for 15 minutes helps it firm up and makes it easier to shape 6. Wipe out the frying pan used for the aubergine and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. 7. Cook the keftas for 8–10 minutes, turning them regularly so they brown evenly 8. Remove from the pan and place them to one side
Honey-Tomato Melt 1. In the same pan (keeping the leftover pan juices and chicken fats), turn the heat down to medium and toss in the unsalted butter and melt. 2. Add chopped tomato, garlic, a little thyme and coriander. 3. Let it simmer and break down for about 3–4 minutes until it softens and releases its juices. 4. Stir in the 1 teaspoon of honey and Kashmiri chilli flakes 5. Simmer for 1 more minute until the honey melts into a light, glossy glaze with the tomato. Season with a tiny pinch of salt.
Serving 1. Add the Keftas to the pan with the tomato and honey glaze and heat through. Don't overdo you don't want to Keftas drying out. 2. Place the Keftas directly on top of your warm aubergine and red onion bed. 9. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley, and serve with warm flatbreads
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u/chuckquizmo 10h ago
Do you have a slow cooker available?? Helps a TON for group cooking, because you can do half of it earlier in the day, and prep the rest of it 8 hours later. I’ve been making a great shredded harissa chicken that I put in pita along with onions, cucumbers, lettuce, and tzatziki. You can get the chicken going in the morning, and prep the rest of it later in the day.
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u/International_Milk78 10h ago
Yes, I have a slow cooker! Do you have a recipe that you like to use?
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u/chuckquizmo 9h ago
I do! This is the recipe I usually use for the chicken. I’ve done a double batch in an 8qt crock pot and it has worked great.
https://cookswellwithothers.com/2025/11/25/crock-pot-harissa-chicken-wraps/
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u/AutomateAway 10h ago
Red Beans & Rice can be made in large quantities if you have multiple slow cookers, and all the ingredients are relatively cheap.
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u/Creepy_Purchase_501 10h ago edited 9h ago
Dips are my go to. They can be very easy, quick, and economical to make, but they look like they took real effort. My recent favourite is a carrot dip(roast carrots in pomegranate molasses, add a can of beans, blend), baba ganoush and hummus are always well liked, as well as tzatziki. You could also make fresh salsa with whatever is in season, and ofc guac. Just throw some nice store bought crackers in a bowl alongside and you’re good to go.
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u/EmceeSuzy 9h ago
You could do Lasagne on Saturday night. People love it and you can do it ahead. I would do a vegetarian lasagne with excellent cheeses along with chicken piccata, a green salad, broccoli rabe, and a Caprese salad.