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Large Group Lunch Recipes with everything you need to Wow a Crowd

I prefer simple lunches for large groups because they’re easier during a busy day.  But simple doesn’t have to mean Hoagie sandwiches and an apple.  Instead, how about Make Your Own Burrito Bowls or Cheesy Bubble Up Bread?  Those are just two of a terrific line-up in my best-of-the-best lunch recipes for a large group.   You’ll be getting requests for the recipes.  I know.  I’ve served them all.   And now you can too.

These large group lunch recipes are designed to be very easy meals to prepare and serve.  They are are all kid and teen tested with two enthusiastic thumbs-up.   Most of the recipes can assigned to volunteers to be made several days in advance and served at room temp or simply re-heated.  The rest only require a brief prep.  You’ll love ’em.

Quick & Easy Large Group Lunch Recipes & Ideas

Most recipes can be assigned out to volunteers to make in advance. These are marked with a * below.  The rest can be brought together with a minimal amount of effort.   Just click on the name of a recipe below to link to a page with your game plan, recipe details and everything you need to WOW ’em with a delicious lunch that will leave you smiling too!

Main Dish Choices

Simply pick one of these quick and easy main dishes and one or more sides to accompany it.  (Don’t forget the chips!)

Chunky Chicken Salad *

This is fantastic Chicken Salad, if I do say so myself.  You can serve it straight up, on a croissant, or in tortilla wraps.  I created this Chunky Chicken Salad recipe for a fabulous Princess theme Girls Camp. We had 17 young women attending, ages 12 – 17 and 3 – 5 leaders.  It was amazing.  Our cooking facilities consisted of 2 large grills, 5 fire pits, 1 refrigerator (you can use coolers instead) and about 5 feet of counter space.  (That’s about as primitive as I’m willing to get.) Fortunately, the chicken salad can be made up to 2 days in advance.  The cold sweet red grapes and the chunks of chicken contrast wonderfully with just the hint of garlic.  They’ll love it!

Meatball Sub Sandwiches *

Looking for a fantastic make-ahead sandwich choice that will win rave reviews?  Here you go.  I created this Meatball Sub Sandwich for our upcoming Young Men and Young Women Camp.  It’s a great change from Wal-Mart Sub Sandwiches!

Asian Pork & Ginger Lettuce Wraps *

Who doesn’t love these! ?  A fun lunch choice for adults and kids alike.

BBQ Chicken Salad * – COMING SOON

A fantastic option for lunch!  Everyone loves this.  Romaine lettuce, black beans, corn niblets, and diced tomatoes team up with roasted chicken chunks (you can use rotisserie chicken if you’re short on time), tossed with a creamy ranch dressing and barbecue sauce topped with crunchy, salty corn chips.  It’s just a matter of a bit of chopping and you’re good to go.  What’s not to love?  They’ll be asking for seconds.  Trust me.

Salad & Cheesy Bubble Up Bread *

Crunchy. Chewy. Cheesy. Combined with a fresh green salad.  A fantastic lunch for young women or women.  This one’s a proven winner!

Cheesy Bubble Up Bread

Mixed Salad *

Ok, so I know you know how to make salad.  But I’ll help you determine the amount of lettuce, add-ins and dressing to buy.  Salad is always a great inexpensive option.  You’ll be surprised how many people will enjoy it.   By the way, did you know a trick to speeding along a large group serving line is to slightly thin the dressing with some milk?  This makes it easier to serve.  Have fun with these.

Tossed Green Salad

Ham and Cheese Sliders *

The original recipe for this is from King’s Hawaiian Rolls.  I’ve made a few slight modifications.  These are fantastic.  They can be served warm out of the oven or at room temp.  They can be made in advance and held in the refrigerator or frozen for future use.  Endlessly customizable, these are a great choice for either lunch or dinner.  Make them yourself or assign them out.  You’ll have the food on the table with minimal fuss and everyone will be thrilled!

Hot Ham and Cheese Sliders

Burrito Bowls * – COMING SOON

We’re talking a very fast prep.  Completely customizable.  Your guests can pick and choose!  Everything can be prepped in advance.  Just re-heat the rice and beans and serve.  A well-liked quick and easy lunch whether you’re serving youth or adults.  They’ll love the sauce!

Burrito Bowl

Deli Sandwiches

If you have limited cooking, prep, or re-heating facilities, or limited cooks or time then deli sandwiches are not a bad option.  Served with a bag of chips, cookie, some veggies or fruit and you’re done.

Sandwiches for a large group

Side Dishes & Desserts

Everyone of these sides and desserts is a make ahead dream. The most you’ll have to do at crunch time is drizzle on something delightful and you’re good to go.

Salad in a cup

This very fun option is a great choice for a light lunch on the go.  I’ll show you everything you need for a light, quick, make in advance, easy to prepare lunch.

Salad in a Cup

Macaroni Potato Salad *

The most requested recipe at the last 170 person Luau.  Even more than the Huli Huli chicken (although that was right up there).  This is a classic Hawaiian recipe.  In fact, that’s where this came from.  This one is well-loved.

Macaroni Potato Salad

Tropical Fruit Salad with a Ginger Lime Dressing *

This is wonderful.  Serve it as a side dish for your next lunch and be prepared to hear, “Delicious!”  Everything but the kiwi can be prepped the day before.

Tropical Fruit Salad with Ginger Lime Dressing

Potato Salad *

This is my classic go-to potato salad.  You can’t beat it.  Truly, it’s wonderful.  Enjoy.

Fruit Salad with an Orange Vanilla Bean Dressing *

Ree Drummond has the best, and I mean the very best, Vanilla-Orange dressing for a fruit salad.  I. Wished. You. Could. Smell. THIS.  Wow. Just, Wow. It smells like you have been plopped down in the middle of an orange grove with a basket of vanilla pods. Wow.  You have to try this.  It’s so simple and so easy.  I’ve switched out the sugar for powdered sugar, but WOW!

Large Group Fruit Salad Orange Vanilla Bean Dressing

Dip and Veggies * – COMING SOON

Dill Dip and Vegetables

Chips

Alright, I admit these are not a recipe.  But a day without chips is like a day without a good book.  It just ain’t happenin’. I mean, who can resist a lot of few chips!  Not me. I’d pick these any day over chocolate.

Large Group Lunches

Fruit Pizza *

Doesn’t this look fabulous?   It’s easy.

Dessert Pizza

Sweet & Salty No Bake Marshmallow Bars *

If you love sweet and salty and crunchy, these are for you!  Teens and kids love them.  Adults too.  They couldn’t be simpler to assemble.  You can store up to three days at room temperature in airtight container.  They also freeze well.

Sweet and Salty Marshmallow Bars

Strawberry Shortcake Kabobs *

These are SO good, and SO easy.  And did I mention these are SO able to be made in advance.  Just pick up a pound cake, strawberries, kabob sticks, and white chocolate chips and you’re SO there.  These can be assembled in the morning and refrigerated until ready to serve.  So what are you waiting for?  It really couldn’t be easier – or more delicious!

Strawberry Kabobs

Like Those? You’ll love these.

Drop in often.  I’ll be adding more!

Dutch Oven Peach Cobbler

This lovely summer dessert combines sweet juicy peaches with a crunchy, buttery, golden brown cobbler. I served this at our Young Men and Young Women Church Camp, but it’s just as perfect for your family’s summer dinner cooked in the oven!

Marvelous Meatball Sandwiches

Want a wonderful ooey-gooey, saucy, savory Freezer Meal Sandwich Recipe? These little meatballs are baked in the oven, heated with a great time-saving spaghetti sauce, and place on a crunchy hoagie roll slathered with garlic butter and melty Provolone cheese! And you have a Fan-‘freakin’-tastic sandwich (to quote Jeff).

Easy Oven Rice for a Crowd

Don’t miss this one! Now you can make perfect rice EVERY TIME in just 30 minutes with this easy and proven recipe to cook rice in the oven. You’ll want to add this to your recipe box for sure.

Butter Pecan French Toast Breakfast Casserole

Looking for an over-the-top delicious breakfast for your family this holiday season? This wonderful overnight Butter Pecan French Toast Casserole won’t fail to delight. Nestled in between the velvety pieces of cream-soaked bread are bits of buttery, suger-y crunchy pecans. Heaven!

Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole for a Crowd

You’ll love this Delicious Easy Make Ahead Breakfast Casserole. They don’t get any quicker or easier than this! The great thing about this dish is that it comes together easily in 20 minutes night before and is simply the best Breakfast Casserole I’ve ever had. It’s the perfect Breakfast Casserole for your Crowd this holiday season. I’ve also included a smaller version which serves 12.

Asian Lettuce Wrap for a Crowd

If you’re looking for a healthy recipe for your family but are tired of salad, these Pork & Ginger Lettuce Wraps are for you. They are really easy and really fast, on the table within 30 minutes from start to finish. But the best part of all is they are REALLY good! Whip up a batch for your family this week, they’ll LOVE them.

Sausage, Egg and Cheese Sliders for a Crowd

You'll love this sweet and salty breakfast. It will have your house smelling so good your family will be waiting at the table, at least mine was! A few simple ingredients and a few minutes in the kitchen give you an extraordinary breakfast big enough to feed a crowd.

Ham and Cheese Sliders

These mini Ham & Cheese Sliders are easy to make and your family will love them! Whip some up this week. They will be DEVOURED faster than you can imagine.

Aloha Dreams

Welcome to Aloha Dreams!

I'm so glad you dropped by.  I'm Betsy.  Here you'll find my favorite fabulous, trusted recipes - everything from delicious, quick meals for your family to wonderful classics made easy.

I'm also here to help you with large group recipes from 20 to 200.  So next opportunity you get to cook for a large group - Say 'Yes!'  Then relax. I've got your back.

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If you've been asked to cook for a large group activity, be it a Girl's Camp or a Graduation Party, say Yes!  I'm here to help.  From Menus to Game Plans to Recipes, I'll help you keep on schedule and turn out amazingly delicious food if you're cooking for a crowd!  My recipes are tested and trusted.    Let's cook! 

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Tropical Salad

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