Big-Pot Energy: 28 Dirt-Cheap Crowd Meals I Actually Rely On

I enjoy cooking meals that can be made in large quantities, but I don’t enjoy calculating how much the ingredients will cost. I value the skill of making meals that can be easily adjusted with the addition of some beans and rice, or even some plain noodles, and can be quickly scaled up in size.

These are the meals I enjoy making so I don’t have to pay the exorbitant prices for dinner at concerts. Just like you would put on a decent and comfortable pair of shoes, the meal isn’t fancy.

1) Big-Pot Chili

I will admit that chili is my social crutch. If I’m unsure what everyone will eat, I still know that chili will land. As long as the seasonings are good, and someone adds in a second can of beans, no one will ever complain. Canned kidney, pinto, or black beans are the easiest to use. However, if you are using dried kidney beans, remember to soak and boil them before you add them to the chili.

He was able to, suitibly and steadily, relay to those in proximity to him that he “really wasn’t that hungry.” The truth is the underlying reason for all of these meals is to make sure that no one is left hungry, and with some rice or a piece of cornbread, you can easily feed the whole extended family.

2) Baked Ziti

Pasta bakes are basically edible insurance policies. They’re cheap, filling, and hard to ruin. Marinara can also be mixed with cheeses like ricotta or cottage cheese along with a good amount of shredded mozzarella (or whatever shredded cheese is on sale).

This seems easy in theory. Corner pieces of the box get eaten before dinner. To make it feel a little healthier, throw in a bag of frozen spinach.

3) Red Beans and Rice

If using dried red or kidney beans, soak them first, then drain and boil them in fresh water before simmering in the dish. If using canned beans, you can put them in as is.

If you have some, a little smoked sausage or a ham hock will make the pot smell good. And the best part is that it improves with time, which makes leftovers feel special.

4) Lentil Soup

Lentils are fast cooking, very inexpensive, and somehow make people feel taken care of. Personally, I prefer brown or green lentils because they hold their shape better than red lentils, which have a tendency to soften and break apart.

Lentil soup also scales really well for large group, as long as you keep an eye on the pot. Just little lemon juice enhances flavor you’d expect from simple ingredients. Most don’t seem to notice about the absence of meat in this dish when served with toast.

5) Sheet-Pan Sausages and Potatoes

This dinner recipe is for evenings when you’d prefer if food appeared by magic instead of having to ‘cook.’ Potatoes do the heavy lifting, and sausage brings the flavor without needing much else.

Before guests arrive, I chop the veggies, spread everything on a sheet pan, and I put it in the oven. Prep takes about ten minutes. Some consider offering mustard or hot sauce to be above and beyond.

6) Egg Fried Rice

Fried rice is how I turn random bits from the fridge into a meal that feels intentional. If you can, use the rice you cooked yesterday. Day old refrigerated rice works best. If you are cooking rice for the day, do so, and then spread it out to cool quickly, refrigerate it, and then use it once it is chilled.

First, you want to scramble the eggs and set them aside. Then stir-fry the rice with frozen peas and carrots, onion, soy sauce, and a little sesame oil if you have it. Lastly, add sesame oil (if you have it) and soy sauce. This recipe is also a great way to use that half an onion that you keep shifting around in the crisper drawer.

7) Breakfast for Dinner

I used to think breakfast-for-dinner was a cop-out, then I watched how happy it makes people. Pancake batter is a way of stretching eggs and milk into a cheap and filling meal. There is no denying how many Saturday mornings during childhood that are unforgettable. You can add fruits, but they should not be the main ingredient. There is barely any syrup.

8) Garlic Oil Spaghetti

This is the pasta recipe I have that reminds me I have food in my cupboard. I make the pasta and then in a pan I add some oil and then the bread crumbs until they get browned and smell good. Then like a top chef I put them on the garlicky noodles.

If you can get real parmesan, great! But, the crumbs also add a satisfying crispy texture. Considering how desperate the recipe was, it’s good.

9) Tuna Noodle Casserole

I get that tuna casserole has a bad reputation, but it can be done right and is really comforting and is classically Midwestern. With peas, a white sauce (or a cream soup if that’s not the mood), and a crunchy topping.

I have served this to adults who claim they “don’t eat casseroles.” I have seen people give up without saying a word. It will include a generous amount of black pepper, and a not sad level of baking.

10) Split Pea Soup

Split peas are a great ingredient since they are very cheap, and they thicken up nicely on their own. And, if you happen to have a ham bone, you can throw that in as well!

If not, a bit of smoked paprika and some sautéed onions are a nice replacement. With this soup, you have lady luck on your side! Along with some buttered bread, you have a complete meal.

11) Black Bean Tacos

Taco night is crowd-friendly because everyone can fuss over their own plate. Chili powder, cumin, and garlic will satisfy all but the most extreme of meat lovers. With sliced onions and lime wedges, it’s easy to elevate the meal from looking like a ‘budget dinner’. It’s safe to say that the cheddar cheese bowl is going to be the first container to be emptied. Always.

12) Chickpea Curry

Chickpea curry is quick and easy to make, and it doesn’t take much time to prepare. It is easy to make in under an hour, and I like the simplicity of recipes that involve opening a can, especially if it is a recipe with canned chickpeas.

13) Classic Mac and Cheese

Macaroni and cheese is the peace treaty at a mixed-age table. To make a cheese sauce, you’ll need to use butter, flour, and milk along with whatever cheese is available; sharp cheddar is a good and inexpensive choice. I also sometimes add mustard powder, but that is a secret. Baking this dish, in addition to eating it with a simple green salad, will make you feel like a saint.

People are fed better with the addition of rice and the meal won’t be just a beans fest. Given that people have differing tolerances for spiciness, it would be sensible to place hot sauce on the side.

Simmer with curry powder (or a mix of turmeric, cumin, and coriander), onions, and canned tomatoes; add coconut milk if you have it, but it isn’t mandatory.

14) Stuffed Baked Potatoes

Baked potatoes are inexpensive, and oddly festive when you let people control what goes on top. Provide chili, butter, cheese, and sour cream, or plain Greek yogurt for people to use as toppings. I’m grateful for the days when I have nothing to do and I watch previously selective eaters top their potatoes in three different ways.

15) Cabbage Sausage Skillet

Cabbage is one of the most undervalued vegetables. Properly stored, cabbage keeps well in the fridge.

First slice the smoked sausage. Once done, add it to the pan with the onion and cook until the onion caramelizes. If the sausage is too expensive, you can also use white beans to make it more filling. This just reminds me of my grandma’s and it just smells right.

16) Minestrone Soup

Minestrone is one single recipe, but for me, it is also a method that helps you use up a bunch of random stuff from your fridge. Start with some onions and carrots, then add canned tomatoes and beans, then toss in any other veggies you have and a small handful of pasta.

It’s also filling, and can be made really quickly. Last event, I saw a lot of people crowding around the pot like it was a campfire.

17) Sloppy Joes

Sloppy Joes are gloriously unpretentious, and that’s the point. You can stretch the ground beef with cooked lentils, and most people will still find it hearty and satisfying.

To balance the tangy sauce, serve with sweet pickles or bread-and-butter pickles. Get some napkins in case it gets messy.

18) Roasted Veggie Pasta

To stretch my food budget, I roast cheap veggies like zucchini, onions, bell peppers, and carrots to mix with pasta. I also use sausage, however, chickpeas or white beans would also be good protein substitutes.

I add a bit more olive oil to make the pasta glossy and a little richer. To call this a meal prep would be an understatement. I also like that the leftovers work for lunch the following day.

19) Quesadillas

Quesadillas are a simple and inexpensive meal idea! They can be entertaining to make, especially as you learn the right way to do the prep, flip, and sizzle. If you’re looking for a protein source but don’t want to layer on too much cheese, black or refried beans are a great option.

Plus, adding spinach gives a nice nutritional boost and this green will be perfect for kids or people who don’t like greens as it gets hidden in the quesadilla. I can make a lot of them and still have time to socialise.

20) Eggs in Tomato Sauce

I acknowledge the work that went into making this meal. Though, to be fair, a majority of the ingredients were cupboard staples. Simmer canned tomatoes with onions, garlic, and peppers (if you have them) and then nestle eggs in and cover until set.

Someone can get some bread to soak up that sauce. If you’re unsure about timing the eggs for a large group, you can always stir some beaten eggs into the sauce and cook it until the eggs are set. It may not be the most appetizing option, but it is the best choice.

21) Chicken and Rice Bake

Chicken thighs tend to stay juicy but make sure to cook them to an internal temperature of 165°F for safety. Use cheap ingredients, roast the chicken so it drippings flavor the dish and serve it over rice.

Lastly, add a handful of frozen peas for color and a little sweetness. Chicken-and-rice bake seems like comfort food without requiring much work.

22) Hamburger Helper Skillet

I love the boxed product’s simplicity, but I enjoy even more making a simple version myself. Brown ground beef (or turkey), add macaroni, broth, some tomato paste, and then add cheese at the end.

The goal is to be more substantial and comforting, not artisan. I watched the adults devour it like it was an act of love.

23) Enchilada Casserole

I really don’t enjoy rolling enchiladas for a large number of people, so I just make them in the form of a big lasagna. Using salsa is an easy way to add moisture to the casserole. My family loves it because it oozes like a casserole and cuts like lasagna. This dish will be gone as soon as I set out a jar of pickled jalapeños.

24) Broccoli Rice Casserole

It’s amazing how many home cooks have made this dish, and it’s amazing how many more will surely do. The sauce and the combination of broccoli and rice will always be comforting.

The dish is definitely filling, and although it may sound unassuming, I appreciate how much it feels like a warm blanket. If the budget allows, shredded rotisserie chicken is a fantastic addition.

25) Pasta E Fagioli

Pasta e fagioli is the kind of soup that can elevate a simple lunch to something special. This soup has all the components to warm you up and keep you going: wholesome beans, flavor-packed tomatoes, and enough pasta to help your mind race.

If you have one lying around, toss in a Parmesan rind for extra flavor. It’ll be fun to see the loud table go quiet as everyone gets a big bowl of this soup.

26) Pulled Pork

Pork shoulder is great for budget friendly, easy meals for large groups. It just needs to be cooked until it’s pull apart tender and can be used for sandwiches, tacos, or served over rice. I’ve noticed that people tend to head towards the slow cooker. For those in the group who may be less tolerant to spice, the base meal can be made milder.

27) Green Salad and Grilled Cheese

Make a huge salad, then slice grilled cheese sandwiches into strips and treat them like crunchy, melty croutons. While the addition of meat will increase costs, there are several topping alternatives that can help contain expenses.

28) Potato Soup

Potato soup is a fantastic choice if you need to feed a large crowd while on a budget. It is so simple to make. You just need to cook some diced potatoes and onions with broth.

Cheap Crowd Tips

I buy basic builder ingredients like rice, pasta, potatoes, and beans; then add one thing that is a bit more interesting to really make it feel like a meal, like sausage, cheese, a special spice blend, or even just caramelized onions.

I keep the main pot at a lower spice level since it’s a mixed crowd, and I also provide guests with a spice bar, an herb bar, and a crunchy toppings bar to customize their portions.

I try to provide at least one starchy side because that gives people an easy way to take seconds without needing to double the expense. I have learned that it is always a good idea to have excess food.

Someone will always drop by “just to say hi” and somehow end up staying for dinner. Just make sure leftovers are packed into shallow containers and cooled quickly; most cooked leftovers should be eaten within 3 to 4 days.