47 Big-Batch Dishes to Feed a Crowd
Quick: You have eight family members coming over this weekend, and pizza isn’t going to cut it. Not to worry, friend. You can feed Uncle Bob, Aunt Suzy, Cousin Tyler and the whole crew with these delicious recipes for a crowd, from one-pan chicken dinners to big-batch breakfast dishes. Trust us: You can throw them together in no time, whether the occasion is Sunday dinner, a birthday celebration or a holiday gathering.
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1. White Pesto Spinach Lasagna (10 servings)
Time Commitment: 1 hour, 15 minutes
Why We Love It: Under 500 calories, vegetarian, make ahead
Cheesy? Check. Bubbly? Check. Loaded with gorgeous good-for-you veggies like spinach and wild mushrooms? Triple check.
2. Slow Cooker Crispy Carnitas (10 servings)
Time Commitment: 8 hours
Why We Love It: Slow cooker recipe, one pot, under 500 calories, dairy free, kid-friendly
In this big-batch gem, pork shoulder is simmered in the slow cooker for eight hours, yielding tender, fall-off-the-bone meat that’s fabulous in tacos, sandwiches and even with fried eggs.
3. Baked Sausage and Cheese Rigatoni (8 servings)
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: Kid-friendly, make ahead
This family favorite packs in a pound of ground sweet Italian sausage, plus lots of ricotta, Parm and provolone. (Thanks, Coterie member, Heidi Larsen.)
4. Caramelized Shiitake Mushroom Risotto (8 servings)
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: Vegan, gluten free, make ahead
A ten-ingredient, 30-minute recipe that stores for up to a month in the freezer. (So basically, it’s fabulous in every way.)
5. Korean Beef Tacos (12 servings)
Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: Dairy free, kid-friendly
These mind-blowing tacos come together in 35 minutes and are piled high with sriracha mayo and caramelized kimchi to boot.
6. Healthy Instant Pot Turkey Chili (8 servings)
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: Instant Pot recipe, kid-friendly, make ahead, gluten free
The easiest way to cook for a crowd: Dump all the ingredients into your pressure cooker, then go live your life. In six hours, you’ve got a soul-warming dinner that's ready to serve.
7. Chicken and Dumplings (6 servings)
Time Commitment: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Why We Love It: Kid-friendly, high protein
This classic takes a little bit of patience to make (hey, homemade biscuits take time), but Coterie member Maria Lichty promises it’s worth it.
8. Baked Mac and Cheese Bites (10 servings)
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: Kid-friendly, under 500 calories, special occasion–worthy
In less than an hour, you can have 48 of these delightful little macaroni bites on the table, baked with two kinds of gooey cheddar cheese.
9. Holy Mole Enchiladas (8 servings)
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: Make ahead, kid-friendly
Tweak this easy 40-minute recipe how you see fit to make it spicy, gluten-free or vegan.
10. Easy Creamy Au Gratin Potatoes (10 servings)
Time Commitment: 1 hour, 40 minutes
Why We Love It: Special occasion–worthy, under 500 calories
A decadent side dish that pairs fabulously with roast chicken and a green salad. (Or a Thanksgiving turkey.)
11. Roasted Squash Salad with Crispy Shallot & Balsamic Reduction (8 servings)
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, vegan, dairy free, gluten free
With winter squash, pepitas, currants and macadamia nut cheese, it’s a salad even salad-haters can get on board with.
12. Slow-Cooker Tater Tot Casserole (8 servings)
Time Commitment: 4 hours, 20 minutes
Why We Love It: Slow cooker recipe, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
Layered with ground beef, sharp cheddar, black beans and tons of tots, this crowd-pleaser is guaranteed to disappear in ten minutes or less.
13. Eight-Layer Hummus Dip (8 servings)
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: Ready in <15 minutes, no cook, <10 ingredients
This nutritious, protein-rich app is loaded up with pine nuts, pesto, sweet peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, cilantro and feta cheese. (Yum.)
14. Slow Cooker Chipotle BBQ Meatballs with Garlic Toast (8 servings)
Time Commitment: 8 hours
Why We Love It: Slow cooker recipe, special occasion–worthy, beginner-friendly
These little bites can be prepped in advance and frozen until you need them.
15. BLT Pasta Salad (8 servings)
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: Kid-friendly, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
The secret to this picnic favorite (besides a pound of bacon, of course)? Dijon mustard and apple cider vinegar to make it tangy and a little bit sweet.
16. Zucchini Ricotta Galette (8 servings)
Time Commitment: 50 minutes
Why We Love It: Special occasion–worthy, vegetarian, under 500 calories
If you’re in a dinner rut, listen up: This savory summer pie will elevate any meal, from a picnic lunch in the park with a bottle of wine to Sunday supper with the whole fam on the back patio.
17. Baked Brie with Figs, Pistachios and Orange (10 servings)
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: Special occasion–worthy, vegetarian, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredient
Let us fill you in on a little secret: This sweet and savory baked cheese looks fancy, but it couldn’t be easier to make. And with all those fancy toppings, it's prime for your holiday table.
18. Korean Grilled Steak with Toasted Sesame Chimichurri (8 servings)
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: Under 500 calories, gluten free, special occasion–worthy
Food blogger Tieghan Gerard tells us the key to a great flank steak is marinating it in something delicious for at least a few hours. Done and done.
19. Ravioli Lasagna Casserole (8 servings)
Time Commitment: 1 hour, 25 minutes
Why We Love It: Vegetarian, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
Forget lasagna noodles. In this dish, we layer ravioli (meat, cheese, mushroom—whatever kind you're feeling) for the most epic baked pasta dish ever. This recipe will be your new favorite big-batch dinner, trust.
20. Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole (6 servings)
Time Commitment: 1 hour, 15 minutes
Why We Love It: Make ahead, kid-friendly, under 500 calories
The whole family will approve of this decadent dinner. Even your kids won't mind the veggies, thanks to all that crumbled bacon and melted Gruyère.
21. Spinach Artichoke Squares (12 servings)
Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, special occasion–worthy, under 500 calories
We’re artichoke dip fans through and through. Add puff pastry, and we’re positively swooning. They’ve got the same cheesy goodness as the retro dip, without the need for crackers or chips.
22. Pull-Apart Bread with Caramelized Onions and Goat Cheese (10 to 12 servings)
Time Commitment: 3 hours, 10 minutes
Why We Love It: Special occasion–worthy, under 500 calories, vegetarian
Monkey bread is tasty, but we’ve made it 2 billion times. Enter this remix that boasts all the fun of monkey bread and twice the class. Make it for weekends, game days or dinner parties, but always serve warm.
23. Delicata Squash Rings with Garlic-Lemon Sauce (8 servings)
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: Vegetarian, under 500 calories, special occasion–worthy
Onion rings better watch out: These easy, elegant squash bites are certain to steal the show. Set out a plate at your next cocktail party and watch them disappear in five minutes flat.
24. Mini Skillet Pizzas with Mushrooms and Roasted Tomatoes (10 servings)
Time Commitment: 50 minutes
Why We Love It: One pan, vegetarian, <10 ingredients
Two things everyone loves: pizza and mini food. In other words, this recipe is bound to be a hit. Use store-bought pizza dough and your guests will be none the wiser.
25. Pomegranate-Sumac Chicken with Roasted Carrots (8 servings)
Time Commitment: 1 hour, 20 minutes (plus marinating)
Why We Love It: Sheet pan recipe, special occasion–worthy
Now that it’s cool enough to turn on your oven, it’s time to embrace the sheet pan meal. This one’s packed with warm Middle Eastern spices and will have your guests begging for the recipe.
26. Cheater's Italian Wedding Soup (8 servings)
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: High protein, beginner-friendly
Parmesan, pasta, beans, kale and juicy meatballs…all in one bite? Say no more: We’re already on our way to your place.
27. Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe (6 servings)
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: One pan, high protein
You had us at gnocchi, and again at one-skillet dinner. Thanks to a few smart shortcuts (store-bought pasta, for one), this big-batch dinner takes a mere 30 minutes to make.
28. Slow Cooker Mediterranean Frittata (6 servings)
Time Commitment: 3 hours, 30 minutes
Why We Love It: Mediterranean diet–friendly, slow cooker recipe, under 500 calories
Brunch should always be this easy. You basically drop all the ingredients in the Crockpot and go about your business until it's ready.
29. Sheet-Pan Eggs with Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese (12 servings)
Time Commitment: 32 minutes
Why We Love It: Sheet pan recipe, under 500 calories
Eggs are a breeze to cook for one, but they’re tough to make for a crowd. Consider this recipe your secret weapon. It’s tasty with toast and a mimosa—and even more so on a bagel sandwich.
30. Sunday Morning French Toast (6 servings)
Time Commitment: 1 hour, 15 minutes
Why We Love It: Under 500 calories, kid-friendly
An entire batch of French toast made in a single dish? Yeah, we’re making this gem on Christmas morning, too.
31. Quiche with Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Crust (6 to 8 servings)
Time Commitment: 1 hour, 20 minutes
Why We Love It: Under 500 calories, low carb, gluten free
Quiche is a breakfast classic. But quiche with a sweet potato crust? Wait for the crowd to go wild. Serve it with crusty bread and fruit salad.
32. Spinach and Cheese Strata (6 servings)
Time Commitment: 9 hours, 20 minutes
Why We Love It: Make ahead
Stratas are the fancy casseroles of the brunch world. This one features plenty of gooey cheese, and it happens to be a great way to use up any leftover greens in the fridge. Win-win.
33. Amazing Mexican Breakfast Casserole (12 servings)
Time Commitment: 55 minutes
Why We Love It: Kid-friendly, make ahead
What makes it amazing, you ask? It could be the fact that it’s a breeze to prepare ahead…or it could be the copious amounts of avocado on top. We can’t decide.
34. Roasted Salmon Tacos (8 servings)
Time Commitment: 55 minutes
Why We Love It: High protein, gluten free, dairy free
Not only is the flaked salmon bursting with smoky chipotle and cumin, but it's also topped with grilled pineapple salsa and cashew lime crema. (Might we also suggest a mound of pickled red onions?)
35. Sausage and Fennel Pasta (6 servings)
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: Ready in <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
Italian sausage has a ton of built-in flavor, so this pasta barely needs any additional zhuzhing—though a sprinkle of grated Parm never hurts.
36. Pumpkin Pie French Toast (8 servings)
Time Commitment: 50 minutes
Why We Love It: Kid-friendly, <10 ingredients
Name a better way to use up leftover pumpkin pie. We'll wait. It tastes just as festive on Halloween morning as it does on Black Friday.
37. Roasted Tomato Soup (10 servings)
Time Commitment: 1 hour, 45 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, gluten free
You're only ten ingredients away from ditching canned soup forever. It's *that* good.
38. Baked Caprese Chicken Skillet (6 servings)
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: One pan, ready in <30 minutes, kid-friendly
Store-bought basil pesto does most of the heavy lifting in the flavor department. It'll pair wonderfully with additional summer vegetables too, like zucchini or corn.
39. Sheet-Pan Buttermilk Chicken Thighs with Plums, Shallots and Honey (8 servings)
Time Commitment: 8 hours, 30 minutes
Why We Love It: Special occasion–worthy, sheet pan recipe, high protein, <10 ingredients
The beauty of stone fruit season. Be patient while the chicken marinates—the buttermilk is the key to tender meat, crispy skin and extra savory flavor.
40. Weeknight Skillet Paella (6 servings)
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: One pan, high protein, special occasion–worthy
How did we pull off this iconic Spanish staple in one hour, you ask? We reduced the seafood to shrimp and littleneck clams for speedy cooking. We'll bring the sangria.
41. Split Pea Soup with Bacon and Beer (8 servings)
Time Commitment: 2 hours, 15 minutes
Why We Love It: Under 500 calories, dairy free, beginner-friendly
This cozy recipe is a far cry from your grandma's split pea soup. Chalk it up to the homemade croutons, sherry vinegar, smoky bacon and a whole can of pale lager.
42. Skillet Roast Chicken with Shmaltzy Potatoes (6 servings)
Time Commitment: 5 hours, 45 minutes
Why We Love It: Special occasion–worthy, high protein, one pan
Nothing wows a crowd like a golden-brown whole chicken. Pro tip: Position the chicken so its legs point toward one of the back corners of the oven, where it runs hotter than the center of the oven. This will keep the breast meat from drying out.
43. Spanish Tapas Board (10 to 12 servings)
Time Commitment: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Why We Love It: Special occasion–worthy, high protein
When in doubt, a massive charcuterie spread of meat and cheese always satisfies. And this one has a few bonus appetizers, like heirloom pan con tomate and patatas bravas with saffron aioli.
44. Swedish Cinnamon Buns Topped with Salted Caramel (16 to 18 servings)
Time Commitment: 2 hours, 50 minutes
Why We Love It: Kid-friendly, special occasion–worthy, under 500 calories
FYI, most of the cooking time is hands-off…so you can sit back and bask in the glow of that golden-brown caramel sauce.
45. Apricot and Frangipane Cake (8 Servings)
Time Commitment: 1 hour, 5 minutes
Why We Love It: Special occasion–worthy, gluten free, <10 ingredients
Thanks to five juicy, in-season apricots, you don’t even need to frost this beauty. It's naturally gorgeous as is.
46. Deep-Dish Chocolate Chip Cookie with Caramel and Sea Salt (8 servings)
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: Kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, one pan
Remember those incredible cookie cakes your family would order every year on your birthday? Well, now it can be your birthday every damn day of the year.
47. Perfect Instant Pot New York Cheesecake (8 servings)
Time Commitment: 8 hours
Why We Love It: Special occasion–worthy, Instant Pot recipe
A beautiful cheesecake is great for every occasion. And honestly, a group setting is best for this easy-to-make dessert, because the leftovers are dangerous.
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For even more great recipes, check out our first cookbook, Only the Good Stuff.
