What can I cook at my friends house today?

[Gonewiththemadness]

Going to see a friend later on and have said I would cook, she’s had a really horrible week and lost somebody very close to her so I’d like to cheer her up if I can and be there for her and I thought going up and cooking a meal for everybody might be nice.
I will be getting a train and then walking the 30 minutes to her house so will have to carry with me the ingredients for what I’m making and using her cooker so something nice but easy as I’m not confident with other people’s cookers, I know how mine works!
Cooking for 7.
Any ideas hugely appreciated!

Spaghetti and garlic bread?

Are you at home or work? Could you prepare something now that you finish cooking at her home eg cottage pie, lasagne, boeuf bourguignon, casserole, gratin dauphinoise? Then you'll be able to relax and chat when you are there. If you want to make something there to keep you both busy and distracted, you could prepare the main course at home and take something to prepare that takes no cooking, such as fruit salad, Eton Mess.

That sounds like hard work - I'd get a takeaway delivered.

Make some soup at home and transport in a couple of flasks?
Or just take some nice picnic type stuff, bread, cheese, olives, sliced meat etc which you might be able to pick up on the way lightening the load for some of the journey and nothing to carry home. That’s what I would do!

Oh, sorry, just seen it’s for 7 people. That might be too much to carry! Definitely some pasta and a sauce you can make, an arrabiata which can all be fried up and simmered in one large frying pan.

Spaghetti Carbonara and a green salad would be my choice, I think.

Nigella’s quick chilli. Takes about 5 mins to put together with not that many ingredients and is delicious! Also not spicy in case some of the 7 are kids

Honestly I'd get a takeaway. If I was the friend I'd rather a takeaway too.

I couldn't be doing with someone in my kitchen asking where's this or that. Making a mess or just being in there in general. It wouldn't be relaxing at all.

Sitting chatting together with a cup of tea and then ordering a takeaway would be my idea of lovely.

Having someone else 'doing' in my house.... no!

Thank you for the suggestions!
I’m not at home but not at work, currently sat at the park freezing slowly whilst DS plays football with his friends!
I think I’m going to go with either cold meats, cheeses, olives, nice breads etc or just get takeaway.
I’ll probably be a pain in her kitchen and not actually get to spend any time with her if I cook anyway, I’d not thought of that.
Of the 7, it’s me her, her partner, my 2 DC and her 2 DC.
I’m leaning more towards the cold food this evening to be honest. More my budget at present than a takeaway for 7, 3 being adults, one being my almost 14 yo DS and one hungry 10 yo boy who’s playing football and working up a good appetite currently
I just want to be there for her to chat and provide a stress free evening with food included.

It'd be chippy tea then. Less fuss the better.

A big chicken and potato traybake. Quick to prepare and will tolerate any quirks of their oven. This is my fave www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.cityline.tv/recipe/dinner/indian-spiced-chicken-potato-tray-bake/amp/

I would go simple and buy a supermarket lasagne and garlic bread and salad. Easy, just bung it in the oven while you chat to your friend.

Bring a dessert and a bottle of wine and you're sorted

How about getting a roll of ready rolled puff, then you could throw together a quick tart when you get there,Mediterranean veg with a drizzle of pesto and mozerella would be good. Then you could serve that alongside other cold picnic bits as suggested. Sort of a half way house.

Simple chorizo tomato pasta (Chorizo, passata, garlic, onions, herbs, linguine). garlic bread and salad.

The ingredients are cheap to get (probably £10-15 for everything), sauce takes 15 mins max and pasta and bread cook during that time. More filling, warm and easy to get without buying loads of sides. Add a pre made desert like a tart/cheesecake from supermarket fresh section or profiteroles, everyone likes them including kids.

When you get there leave ds in charge and you and her go to the supermarket and get finest / taste the difference lasagne and garlic bread, bags of salad and lots of wine

You sound like a lovely friend.

I agree with PP - A couple of big lasagne or 2 big pizzas, with a few garlic breads & a bag of nice salad. Cake for dessert.

Carb them all up - good for comfort & growing boys, and probably about £15 the lot.

Buy some fresh filled pasta and some ready made fresh pasta sauce, garlic bread, green salad, quick and simple but filling and comforting.

Thank you all, the replies have been very helpful and I’ve also got some lovely meal ideas!
I do love cooking and home cooked food but I think time together is more important this evening.
I’ve gone with lasagne! I’ve bought a few nice ready made refrigerated lasagnes, 4 lots of garlicky bread and a few bags of mixed salad leaves which I’ll dress at hers.
Then I’ve gone with a big toffee cake which when heated will melt and create its own sauce and some custard.
Would have got wine too but my friend is currently 7 months pregnant (and I don’t like wine.)
Thank you all again

A simple crowd pleaser in a real rush.
Chop up chicken breasts and fry in olive oil.
Add two small jars of supermarket pesto green or red.

Mix with the chicken.
Add at least a litre of passata, and rinse out the containers with a bit of water and add that too.
Add 500ml of cream
Add lots of black pepper.
Bubble up and serve with whatever pasta.
Bulk up with a salad and large green salad.