Suggestions for easy large group dinners?

I don't know where you are but I'm in Los Angeles and we have this chain of restaurant supply stores that are open to the public (no membership required either) and they are called "Smart & Final". Anyways, they have these industrial sized cans of soup and chili. One can fits perfect in a crockpot. Also, those large trays of frozen mac & cheese and also lasagna. I'm sure if you found a restaurant supply in your town, they would sell to you as a not-for-profit. Those places have great ideas with their bulk food products too.

And, I've done a grill cheese bar. Get some electric griddles going and make some grilled cheese sandwiches with some ham, turkey, etc. and then a crockpot of chicken noodle soup (or tomato or whatever you like).

And, then you can do a nachos bar with chips and then all the sides (cheese, peppers, onions, meat, etc.).

And, a baked potato bar - bake a bunch of potatoes and then have anything you can think of for toppings - I've seen people bring guacamole, chili, and then all the traditional toppings. That's an easy one too.

French bread pizzas are easy to make and bake.

And, my daughters college does a Pancake Supper during finals. The kids like that. Inexpensive and again you can do all kinds of toppings - ice cream, jams, syrup, etc.

Good luck.

Hot dogs, pre-made appetizers can be bought in bulk.

Easy side dishes like mashed potatoes made from boxed potato flakes

You could throw together some huge salads and add in already prepared grilled chicken. The salads could be veggie or you could use tri colored pasta.

A fruit and cheese platter

Pre-made frozen stuffed potato skins

A big pot of soup or stew (canned or homemade)

Buttered noodles with poppy seeds

Pre-made frozen mozzarella sticks

Cold cuts and rolls and Italian bread

Cold salads - potato, macaroni, cole slaw

Frozen Corn on the cob

Salad & pasta. to be safe if there are vegitarians. mixed greens. portobello mushrooms, get them all ready cut & cleaned, cherry tomatoes, some sliced black olives and some grated cheese, your favorite. get 2/3 kinds of salad dressings, but leave them on the side. A simple pasta w/sauce. get 2 kinds of pastas like a ziti & a fusilli ( tri color ). Buy 2 lg cans of diced can tomatoes(look for pasta style) a sm can of tomatoe paste. in a sauce pan, slice some garlic, a small white onion, dice it. put it the garlic & onion in a sauce pan w a tble spoon of oil. add a 1/4 cup of water when it starts to brown put in the cans of tom, w/ the tom paste, keep stiring add a pinch of salt, pepper, oregeno, and some of the grated cheese. pour the sauce over the pasta, leave lots grated cheese on the side and enjoy. it should only take a 1/2hr

Spaghetti is allways delicious and easy. All you need is pasta, tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, and ground beef or sausage. I season mine with garlic powder, salt and pepper, and some oregano and basil. You can make it as simple as you like. Buy the already made spaghetti sauce, like ragu, or prego.

You could also do frozen ravioli, sloppy joes, or hamburgers and hot dogs. all easy to prepare.

How about meatballs? You can make them, but even better you can buy those big bags of frozen meatballs, grab some sauce to go with them and you're all set!

Baked potatoes.

Pasta.

Spaghetti.

Lasagna.