I enjoy hosting gatherings at our home. Making these memories mean so much to me. It is so nice that our family has these times together. But sometimes I do have to get creative so that I can feed a crowd on a budget. Here is a how to feed a crowd on the cheap this fall guide. This helps me to prepare for these great times and not go over budget.
I used to think that having a meal for a crowd meant that it had to be expensive. I've since learned that it does not have to be and that it can still be delicious too. By planning ahead you can score some great deals at the grocery. You can also come up with great meals that naturally do not cost a lot of money either.
It is nice to be able to get together with family and friends. Food is a popular focal point at many gatherings. This can be a big expense. But it does not have to be. There are several different things that can factor into what will determine the cost of a meal. In our example I will be discussing tips on how to feed a crowd on the cheap this fall.
If you are thinking about having a gathering but reconsidering because of the cost, these tips may be of help to you. Lets dig in.
- When to feed a crowd
- How can I feed a crowd for cheap
- Good and cheap meals for a large crowd
When to feed a crowd
There are so many different occasions to celebrate. But you do not always have to celebrate something in order to have a get together. Simply being together with loved ones and friends is a wonderful reason to get together.
The fall is a nice time to host a get together. The weather is cooling down and it can be a fun time to host a meal outside even. Depending on what you are serving, lunch or dinner, could be a good choice for an outdoor gathering. There are options that could be considered to serve for either one of these times.
By hosting a lunch you are still able to enjoy the fall by being outdoors. You can still even roast marshmallows. By hosting a dinner you have all these great options along with the cooler night air and enjoying the night sky.
How can I feed a crowd for cheap
A meal can be expensive whether you are hosting a few people or a lot of people. Spending some time carefully planning will help determine your costs. Here are some tips on how to feed a large crowd for cheap.
- Make a budget
It is very important to make a budget and stick to it. Determine an amount that will best fit your budget and then work within in that budget.
- Plan your menu
Choose a meal to cook on a budget when determining what you are going to serve at your gathering. There are definitely food options that cost more than others do. Look to see if you have anything at home that you have enough of to serve. This will be very cost effective if you happen to. If you do not have a main dish on hand, do you have any side items that you would like to include? Also think of desserts. Do you want to serve them? If so, do you have some boxed brownies or cupcake mix on hand already?
Don't forget about paper products. Do you have some already to use? They do not have to be a certain theme if you do not want them to be. A solid color would work just fine.
If you do not have anything on hand that you could serve then we need to think of some cost friendly ideas. I will share that in the next section.
- Track your expenses.
When you do decide on your menu, remember to track your items that you purchase. Then deduct the costs from your total budget amount. This will help to ensure that you will not go over budget.
Good and cheap meals for a large crowd
When it comes to fall a couple of ideas to feed a crowd come to my mind. One is chili and another is tacos. These can be very budget friendly meals. Also a little can go a long way. Depending on if you want to ask people to bring something or if you would like to provide everything yourself will determine the cost as well. Let's take a look at these options.

Chili
There are different varieties of chili to make. A more cost saving type would be a meatless chili. If you would like to add some meat, adding just a little bit can go a long way and add some extra flavor. Adding canned beans and tomatoes can make for a hearty dish. These canned goods can be purchased on sale or at a usually lower price if purchasing the store brand. You can serve crackers and set out toppings for the chili. Some toppings may include cheese, sour cream and onions.
For dessert you could make cupcakes, cookies or brownies. Another festive treat would be roasted marshmallows.
For drinks, you could ask your guests to bring their own drinks. Or if you would like to provide them, there are many times when stores will run sales on their pop.
Another fun idea for chili would be a chili cook off. Each family that is invited could bring their own homemade chili . You could make a contest out of it for some added excitement. There would not only be one kind of chili, but several for everyone to enjoy. Set up a ballot box next to each one and ask your guests to vote on their favorite.
Taco bar
A taco bar can be another cost effective meal idea for feeding a crowd. You can offer hard and soft tacos with taco meat and refried beans. Toppings for a taco bar may include: lettuce, sour cream, cheese and tomatoes. A side dish could be chips and salsa.
You may be able to score some taco shells at really inexpensive prices. If they are not on sale, opt for the store brand. Same for the refried beans, salsa, cheese, sour cream and chips. Rather than buying bagged lettuce, consider purchasing a head of lettuce and washing and dicing it yourself. These small savings can add up to be bigger savings.
Conclusion
These are very simple ideas that can be enjoyed by many. Feeding a crowd cheaply does not mean it cannot be a hearty and delicious meal. You do not have to have an elaborate meal for it to be nice. You can feed a crowd easy and on a budget. When it comes down to it, you can provide everything or you can ask your guests to bring a side, dessert or drink to share. Please share what your favorite meal is to have at a get together.
Carolyn M says
Some great suggestions..I kike the idea of a chili cook off!
smith7577 says
Thank you so much.