Hot buffet ideas

[JustAnotherWhinger]

I’m looking for suggestions. I’m doing chilli and macaroni, but would like one more hot main.

Sides atm will be garlic bread, rice, Doritos and jacket potatoes.

Needs to be something that I can make either the night before or early in the morning and then reheat later on as food will be after a life celebration service.

Have 30 definite attending. May have up to 50, so looking for easy to scale up ideas.

Macaroni is a definite as all the kids like it. Chilli seems an easy option. But think I need something for folks who don’t like chilli.

bologneise?
Lasagne?
Sweet and sour chicken (if you’re doing rice with the chilli this would save you having to make another accompaniment)?
Some kind of curry?

I would do ratatouille, as that caters for vegetarians even if all the macaroni gets hoovered up by children.

I’d do a vegetable chick pea curry, or maybe a Thai vegetable curry. That will pair with the rice !

That’s very carb heavy. I’d add a veggie and meat dish personally. Thai green curry can go either way or katsu. Also add some roasted veggies.

honey mustard chicken. Chunks rather than whole thighs, padded out with some extra carrots/green beans/white cabbage

https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/slow_cooker_honey_95731

There are lots of different versions but the basics are chicken stock, sometimes some cider, honey, mustard, usually a little cream or philly. Nigella has a version where you stir in lettuce and peas right at the end which actually works really well, but might be a bit faffy for a buffet.

I'd go with a mild chicken curry or a beef stew/casserole. Both can be made the day before, reheat really well, and are easy to scale up for a crowd. A mild curry is especially good as it gives people another option if they don't fancy chilli, and it goes perfectly with the rice and jacket potatoes.

It is carb heavy but tbh round here funeral food is always very carb heavy - usually steak pie or macaroni with potatoes and garlic bread - so given the occasion is sort-of similar I’m planning sticking to the same style of food.

Beef stew is a great shout. Steak pie would be the traditional option but I don’t have the time to faff with pastry so stew is a good shout

Thank you for the suggestions.

i had thought about curry but I think something that isn’t remotely spicy/hot would be a better option alongside the chilli.

is the chilli beef? If so I’d go with a non spicy chicken dish, maybe Tuscan chicken

Lemon chicken
mushroom lasagne
hot pot

A selection of hot pies, with mash.

I agree, something creamy/chickeny...tuscan chicken a good shout. Perfect with rice /jacket spuds/garlic bread. You can cook ahead and reheat on the day.

Boeuf bourguinon or carbonade de boeuf. Both easy