Large family dinners

[IsThisOneFree]

Family of six, half of which are teen boys. What are your go-to buckets of slop that can be ladled out, let them come back for seconds and are protein-dense?
I’m growing weary of chilli, spag Bol, burritos, fish pie and chicken curry rotation.

Inspiration welcome, please!

Macaroni cheese is a big hit with my two teenage sons.

We’re a family of 5 - 3 sons aged 14-20. A firm family favourite is a slow cooked chicken casserole. Much cheaper than beef, and you get more meat too. I sometimes mix it up and focaccia beef or sausage casserole that they also enjoy.

I do a large roast dinner every Sunday, there’s always plenty left over.

When we do mince, some have it as bolognese, some have it in gravy with mashed potatoes. You could also turn it into a Shepard’s pie. That might shake up your spag Bol a little?

Chicken, halloumi, peppers, onions and pineapple all chucked into a big pot with rice and Nandos sauce. Goes down very well here and freezes well too

Also leave a large shoulder of pork in the slow cooker all day and then shred and top with bbq sauce. You can have this in baps, quesadillas or on top of jacket potatoes.

Big vat of beef stew and dumplings !!!!
I made a homemade meatball thing last night it's slimming world friendly but good protein and veggies u can add rice and veg I can pm the recipe to u x

I would be looking at cost and things I can batch make so one to eat, one for the freezer for next week.
Baharat Chicken - a sort of ‘koftah’ style kebab.
Chicken mince ( protein rich, £5 per kilo, fresh at Tesco)- add the spice mix to it. You can also bulk this out with squashed chickpeas, cooked onion, grated carrot.
Make into patty shapes, cooked in oven, air fryer or frying pan.
Serve with pitta bread, salads, rice/potatoes, hummus, spicy sauce.
Heres the link to the seasoning. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Baharat-Spice-Monte-Nativo-250g/dp/B0DQS9RG8X/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=2WENS5W8TZQKV&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.bATOmYCcyczPQ8isaGfylQQS2S0Pj7kohld2b6wkcsT3-l9I6mqMBCPmhBADfbrAT3sSv7w1BqFrkBmSmCZPaeq-xk9QpJ2HywRRBo-thZeYjmfqzjeHuT6e9w5X7Zyr5GEcbtkU9F5gNZBSlSU7yc15H5z0-Ep-kT_qBVkg_9Sl3GquydCEqfjASUHR9lNSuWsIRt_9ycGgSO6gXp0x-ohMu8hjpurF1D5QT06YzKR1XLf9kegnGngqVDROQD7ePlJG5_WUqaTLDMW7oVtao2SHdXYhV5KfwzUQLgffe7U.DRKLr8efvBDKRAugk79yC17VfVZL0p-clLxASF0R6xI&dib_tag=se&keywords=baharat%2Bspice%2Bmix&qid=1771341809&sprefix=Baharat%2Caps%2C241&sr=8-2-spons&aref=lxcuTgsvpN&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1
I make double the ammount, open freeze on trays with greasproof paper and the next day pop them all into a freezer bag.

I also buy Gyros mix and slice up a 1.6kg pack of chicken breast, coat it all and freeze in a bag - no need to open freeze.
Cook in oven, air fryer or pan.
Serve with wraps, French fries, taziki (Greek yoghurt is a good source of protein too) hummus (not really Greek but who’s looking!).

I make a Sausage Ragu too that is fab with gnocci or tagliatelle.
i use 2x tesco finest sausage meat packs (£5 for both) but you could use any.
Fry two chopped onions, and the sausage meat breaking it up with a spoon.
Add garlic to taste, dried oregano and a grated carrot or two.
2 x tins chopped tomatoes, 2 chicken stock cubes and a good squirt Tom puree.
Salt, pepper , spoon of sugar if needed.
Simmer till thick.

Plenty more ideas if you need any.

EDIT -sorry about the link. I’ve no idea how to make them little!

Thai green/red curry.
Fish or chicken. Use tin of coconut milk, jar of paste, veg, (Double up!)
Serve with rice.

Lloyd Grossman sauces are good - about the healthiest of the jarred sauces. I always have one in the cupboard for when we need a quick and filling dinner. They’re perfect for a pasta bake. My veggie DD loves the chilli one over pasta with a handful of olives and sweetcorn. It’s not perfect, but it’s better than a frozen pizza or chicken nuggets.

Heinz also do a non UPF pasta sauce. I always stock up on either these or LG when on offer.

Easy storecupboard dinner, jar of sauce, spaghetti, can of green lentils and whatever cheese needs using up.

Or can be used for something more interesting obviously.