Freezer meal for 30 people

[Fridakahlofan]

I am hosting a family gathering for about 30 people in September over 3 nights. We have hired yurts for people to sleep in but will be eating meals all together at a long table a few times too (as well as a bbq if weather allows).

On one of the days I’d love to just pull something straight out the freezer as we have an all day activity booked (steam train) and will be back around 7pm.

Let me know if you have ideas for a big batch that I can whip up in advance! I’m a pretty good cook and up for a challenge if need be.

Pudding ideas very welcome too.

Thanks in advance!

[IABUQueen]

If you are willing to venture with cultural things, then meditarranian stuffed vine leaves is the best freezer meal I find for huge gatherings. Takes ages to prepare however but you can do 20 mins a day. And then all you have to do is cook it slowly from the morning in a pot.


Others are mossaka, prep the mince and fry the Auvergne and freeze. On the day just put in the tray and and cook in oven for 45 mins with chopped.

Chili concarne is good. Not much prep.

Lasagnas is good. Prep the white sauce and the mince separately and freeze. On the day or night before just put the layers in trays and shove in oven 45 mins before. (You probably need 5 trays for that many people! Unless you do a variety of foods).

Falafels freezes very well.

[UnderPompeii]

Two or three big lasagnes.
Meatballs cooked in sauce, just need to cook pasta and maybe garlic bread.
Homemade fishcakes, serve with salad.
Fish pie (could be expensive for that number though)

[IABUQueen]

For puddings I haven’t been adventurous but :

Cookie dough freezes very well and you just need 10 mins in oven. Have ice cream with it?

[MustardScreams]

Second moussaka, really good with a green salad and so easy if you use the frozen aubergine slices.

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

For pudding, you could make up and freeze a big batch of crumble topping, and another of apple and cinnamon - part cook the fruit before freezing, then assembling a crumble would be very easy when you got home.

[Fridakahlofan]

Thanks so much everyone. Excited at the prospect of getting some of the hostessing admin out of the way in advance!

I’m thinking a Mediterranean mesh of options so far...

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

Nigella’s honey semi-fredo is easy to make, and gorgeous.

[Mac47]

Second SDTG's pudding suggestion, best dessert I have ever eaten!!

[Fridakahlofan]

Ohh great - will try the honey semi-fredo too!

[InterestingShipNames]

I usually do a big batch of bolognese or chilli con carne, but if you have oven space then roasted sausages with roasted Mediterranean veg (new pots, peppers, whole mushrooms, chunks of courgette, quartered red onions, cherry tomatoes etc) also works well.

[Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/jun/09/meera-sodha-recipe-tomato-pistachio-saffron-tart-vegan This is absolutely delicious and easy to do in advance and with quantities scaled up. I made it for a party last year and froze some of the leftovers, which worked well. It's also vegan if you use vegetarian puff pastry. Just needs a simple green salad accompaniment.

[OhioOhioOhio]

I'd do shepherd's pie.

[CottonSock]

Id do something requiring least freezer space.
Or something you can prep but not freeze. Arabella chicken I like doing for guests.

[CottonSock]

Sorry I mean marbella chicken. Loads of garlic, wine and oregano. It's easy peasy.