Feeding the Youth Group Dinner (20 People - Make Ahead)

[ladypit]

I have volunteered to make a dinner for the youth towards the end of February. It's on a Wednesday night for about 20 people. There are a few potential problems. #1 being that Wed. is the only day of the week when I work all day (get home at 4) so most of the prep needs to be done ahead of time so that I can just cook it before I take it up there. (I can walk it in 5 minutes so the drive takes no time.) #2 is that I know the youth director well (we share an office) so I know that he has given up meat, generally. He doesn't make a big deal about it and will eat it without saying anything at Youth dinners because he believes it is rude to turn down food the congregation has donated. Knowing this, though, I'd like to make something with a meat/no meat option. Or something where it is easy to make it meatless without anyone noticing.

I am responsible for a main meal, some sort of healthy side, a dessert, and drinks.

For dessert I am going to make Fruit Loop Rice Krispie Treats because they are easy, can be made ahead, and one of the youth requested them.

The only other things I was told are that they are trying to get away from pizza and hot dogs, and that they have had a lot of sloppy joes recently. I don't like Frito Chili pie (a biggie here in Oklahoma) so I wouldn't make that. Other then that I'm open.

Thoughts?

I'm posting this in the "To Go" forum and kid friendly because I feel like it works in both forums.

Any help is much appreciated

[JillAZ]

My first thought was some kind of pasta dish. Maybe a regular lasgana and a vegetable lasagna? Tossed green salad and garlic bread. All of these are easy to do ahead. I'll search out some recipes for you.

[JillAZ]

http://www.recipezaar.com/r/q=Lasagna

Here are a bunch of recipes. Maybe a couple of these would work?

[MommyMakes]

Jen,

I'll add some ideas in a bit but I would definately post this in the OAMC forum for some good input too.

[MommyMakes]

I agree, a pasta dish is the best for a large group with meat/no meat eaters.

I think On the Go Ravioli Lasagna would be great. You could use cheese ravioli for the nomeaters and meat ravioli for the meat eaters. It also looks like it would freeze great ahead of time (since the ravioli is already frozen and unthawed).

As a side dish bread and salad would go well. Shred 10 heads of lettuce (cheap, too) and toss lightly with an italian dressing (you can buy huge containers of this at Wal-Mart, etc...). Purchase or bake and freeze large french bread loaves and whip up a bound of butter for people to spread.

Hope this helps I have NEVER entertained!!

[Aroostook]

What about a "make your own sandwich/salad" bar"and a great big pan of baked mac and cheese. (I usually make a cheese sauce from scratch but I found that a jar of Ragu cheese sauce from the store doctored up with a bit of parmesan/romano works just fine! =)
This was the last sandwich bar I put together for kids...
Pita bread
sub rolls
a dark bread
olives
pickles
ham salad
tuna salad
sliced chicken breast
sliced deli ham
a couple different lettuces
onion
peppers
tomato slices
and a variety of dressings.
and sugar cookies...
Christmas Butter Cookies recipe #106361
I know ....Christmas in February...
Good luck!!!

[MommyMakes]

Jen, have you decided?

[ladypit]

MommyMakes wrote:
Jen, have you decided?

Not yet...

(I still have 2 more weeks.)

I love the idea of the sandwhich bar but I always over-buy and I don't want to spend $100 to feed the youth group. (I mean, I love the kids and all but.... )

I think they get a lot of pasta, so I'm still trying to decide. Definitely the rice krispie treats, and thinking maybe a fruit salad.... still thinking

[GrannyHen]

Mexican pile on!!! Chips, seasoned meat, beans or refried beans and the toppongs -- lettuce, tomato, sour cream, salsa. We have fed TONS of kids this -- this way the meat is optional and the toppings are the "side" dishes. It's hard to know how much to prepare. Our findings are that you should SERVE the meat and everything else is self-serve. That way you have some control over the expensive part!!

The meat can be made ahead and kept warm in a crock pot. All of the other things can be prepped on the weekend and will be fine on WED night.

Good Luck and God bless YOU

[chef FIFI]

Broccoli and Cheese Twice Baked Potatoes recipe #101144
Could be made ahead and then reheated.
Copycat Taco Bell's Chicken Enchilada Bowl recipe #87880
Could be made ahead...warmed up and assembled in a large foil pan.
Cookies With a Hug recipe #104074
Chai Tea Cupcakes recipe #113220

[dianegrapegrower]

Teens generally like Chili - you could even make it vegetarian. It's inexpensive, filling, and pretty healthy. And you could make it the night before, and just reheat before serving. Toppings could include grated cheese, diced onion, and chile peppers. Offer a vege assortment on the side, with ranch dressing for dipping.

[ladypit]

Tonight was my dinner for the youth. I decided on a taco bar. I made up a big pan of taco meat, a big pan of pinto beans, and I had containers of cheese and lettuce, plus salsa. I had tortillas (soft) and hard taco shells, plus corn chips. I also made Fruit Loop Rice Krispie Treats for dessert. I did forget sour cream, but no one seemed to mind!

Thanks for all the ideas!!

[MommyMakes]

Good Job, I'll bet they were thrilled!

[caraleanne]

Roast (beef or pork) with a package of onion soup mix in the Crock Pot while you are at work.....pull apart when you get home. BBQ sauce and buns & chips. Easy, easy!