Ideas for feeding 16 people?

[confusedlots]

We are hosting about 16 people in a few weeks time and I'm trying to figure out what to cook that won't involve me spending lots of time in the kitchen when the guests are here. There are a few vegetarians so need to cater for them too.

I'm thinking to do a bit pot of rice, ratatouille in the slow cooker, and maybe a pot of curry or stroganoff. Any other ideas?

Chilli is always good for feeding a crowd, one meat & one veggie. A few lasagnes/pasta bake/cottage pie type dishes. Sausages and mash, obviously a veggie version. Big pots of soup with some part baked rolls, you could also lay out some sandwich fillings and salady bits. I like to do a big chunky minestrone with beans in for guests.

How formal/posh/special is the occasion? i.e. do you need something just more than a casual meal?

And are they all adults? Any food issues/requirements, beyond vegetarianism?

Chilli, one meat, one veggie. Lots of sides (salsa, guacomole, cheese) and tacos/= pitta bread/ tortilla chips.
Can all.be prepared up front with nothing to do when guests are there.

Lasagne, moussaka

Chilli / Lasagne as pp have said.
Or a tagine with chicken bulked out with chick peas and apricots.
Or pulled pork with baked potatoes or bread rolls and salad?

Pulled pork, pork shoulder cooked in the slow cooker and served with wraps, salad, corn on the cob and wedges.
Could make a veggie/bean chilli served with rice.

Make sure that the veggie dish goes with the meat one, so don't do ratatouille and curry for example. Meat eaters will often have some of the veggie offering, so a lentil dhal makes more sense, and make enough for everyone to have a bit not just the vegetarians.

I would make a really good vegetarian lasagna or moussaka and a chicken casserole

https://www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/collections/vegetarian-lasagne-recipes/ lasagna is always better made up a day or two in advance

or this https://bosh.tv/recipes/daal-shepherds-pie

A red or green thai curry could be another alternative, one meat and one vegetarian or vegan - then you will not get the meat eaters taking the veggie option as a side dish

Another option would be to buy ( or make if you are that way inclined) some pies - I’d get some from the local butchers. Maybe a beef a couple of chicken pies plus a veggie cheese pie .
Then you could have the oven on to heat the pies and serve with mash ( made earlier) and an easy veg like green beans and / or roasted cauliflower .
For dessert something like a meringue or a tiramisu which you could make the day before .

How posh, how hungry (eg after a fun run or light lunch), how old, any no spice/no xxxx eaters, sit down or buffet?

Hadn't thought of Thai curry, think that would be a good one to do. It's a family get together, there will be a range of ages of adults and a couple of teenagers. It's not a formal dinner, but I want to have a couple of nice dishes, that can be prepared as much in advance as possible. It's an evening meal, so people will likely be hungry, and certainly expecting a proper dinner, not just snack type food.

I'd go to Cook ! 😊

If you do Thai curry and use a pre-made paste please check it’s vegetarian, as lots have fish in!

Is it a sit down dinner? Or would it be better for it to be a meal easily eaten with just a fork?

https://www.lazycatkitchen.com/vegan-thai-green-curry/

This is a vegan and gluten free recipe

Yes it's a sit down dinner

I buy frozen butter nut squash, it makes life easier and I hate peeling and sorting a squash

16 people and no allergies or medical restrictions, just dietary preferences? Are you sure?

Thanks @MikeRafone and good tip for the frozen butternut squash!

Oh I forgot there is a nut allergy, but no other restrictions. I wouldn't do anything too spicy as it wouldn't appeal to everyone.

Last time we fed a crowd we did pulled pork, a vat of macaroni cheese, coleslaw and salad. It went down a treat!
Otherwise, I would agree with chilli or curry as you can easily do one meat and one veggie version and cook it in advance.

I'd do something like a vegetarian lasagna or pasta bake and serve with a pile of sausages, meat and vegetarian.

Then you've catered for all tastes...not too spicy...vegetarians can have with or without sausages....teens love pasta & sausages...makes a substantial meal for hungry folks....can all be prepared ahead of time so you are not stuck in the kitchen....not too costly for 16 people.

I'd also do a vegetarian soup, something that could be served in mugs, potato & leek perhaps, and offer it when people arrived early, or before they set off for home.

If people don’t like spicy food then don’t do Thai curry! Well any curry really will be too challenging.

Paella?
Tex Mex?
Mezze?
Pie?

It would be a mild curry! But now thinking of just doing 2 main dishes to keep things simple