Easy lunch ideas for 8 people

[BetternutSquish]

I've got 8 people coming for lunch on Saturday. I'm working full time and am out tomorrow night. I have got a shopping order coming stupidly tomorrow before work which I can edit until 9pm which is good coz I've no idea what to serve.

I need some inspiration. Needs to be easy - I don't mind it taking a while like slow roasting something. Needs to be delicious and warming but not stodgy. Main course only. No dietary requirements.

slow roasted shoulder of lamb- cook potatoes and veg in with lamb.

Lasagne salad and garlic bread ?
pizza with salad ?
curry ?

I’d go with lasagne/salad (maybe try a different lasagne recipe if you fancy a change like chicken/roast veg or one with a white sauce like chicken/leek/mushroom.

Otherwise the hairy bikers sausage casserole with crusty bread is delicious and will cope with being left on low in the oven.

This https://observer.co.uk/food/recipes/article/nigel-slaters-kitchen-diary-haricot-beans-and-sausages

Boeuf bourgignon, jacket potato, green salad
Chili con carne with corn bread
Fish pie with green beans and peas

I always plonk the meal on the table and let people help themselves. One friend if 6ft7 and he will eat 3 plates worth a food, so I just find it easier if he can feed himself.

-Fajitas
-Whole chicken and/or thighs but brine overnight. It adds flavour and moisture to the meat. You could then do 2 flavours- say a spicy peri peri on half and a lemon/garlic dressing on the others. Brining also reduces the cooking time. https://www.recipetineats.com/chicken-brine-recipe/
-Nachos
-Shepherds or cottage pie
-Chicken pie
-Coq au vin

Chilli in the slow cooker, serve with tortilla chips, pittas and / or rice

Gammon joint in the slow cooker, dauphinois potatoes, greens.

or chilli and rice and tortilla chips with guacamole etc by the side.

Are you looking for something dinner party like (e.g slow roasted shoulder of lamb, chicken cacciatore, roast venison etc) or something everyday family dinner like (e.g.spaghetti bolognese, chilli con carne, fajitas)?

It feels like a sausage casserole kind of week I think but love these ideas. Thank you!

Chilli con carne + sides - tortillas, rice, avocado, sour cream

Steak pie, cook the beef in slow cooker then either suet crust pastry or buy some pastry and serve with some oven roasted veg.

Chicken and chorizo casserole is dead easy. You can have it with rice or baked potatoes or just add spuds to the pot while it's cooking.

If you fancy a bit of a twist on a sausage casserole this https://www.olivemagazine.com/recipes/one-pots/nduja-pepperonata-stew/ Is delicious.

Another idea- shakshuka with crusty bread and a salad. You could make the the main part a day or so ahead, then on the day- re heat it and cook the eggs in it. Not traditional, but I add small cubes of chorizo which I brown with the onions and also add a tin of chick peas.