Need meals for a crowd on a budget? These 10 cheap, filling big-batch dinners—think lentil soup, bean chili, spaghetti, casseroles, and DIY bars—are easy to scale with recipe links and photos.
Feeding a group doesn’t have to mean blowing your grocery budget. The best meals for a crowd are built around low-cost staples (beans, lentils, rice, pasta, potatoes) and smart formats (one-pot meals, sheet-pan dinners, build-your-own bars). Here are 10 options that are affordable, filling, and genuinely crowd-friendly.
1) 1-Pot Lentil Soup (High Protein, Low Cost)
Lentils are one of the most budget-friendly ways to feed a lot of people without anyone leaving hungry. Add carrots, onions, broth, and spices—done.
Recipe: 1-Pot Everyday Lentil Soup Source
Image: Minimalist Baker Source
2) Three-Bean Chili (Big Flavor, Cheap Ingredients)
A bean-forward chili is a classic budget move: lots of fiber and protein, and it stretches beautifully with toppings.
Recipe: Easy Three Bean Chili (Vegan) Source
Image: The Simple Veganista Source
3) Sheet Pan Chicken Drumsticks + Veg (The Budget-Friendly Protein Tray)
Chicken drumsticks are usually one of the best values in the meat case—and roasting them on a sheet pan keeps prep and cleanup simple.
Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken Drumsticks and Vegetables Source
Image: Snacking in Sneakers Source
4) Baked Potato Bar (The Cheapest Build-Your-Own Dinner)
Potatoes are inexpensive, filling, and basically designed for crowd service. Put out a tray of baked potatoes plus toppings and let guests DIY.
Guide: Build-Your-Own Baked Potato Board Source
Image: The BakerMama Source
5) One-Pot Spaghetti (A Crowd Classic That Scales Fast)
Spaghetti is one of the easiest “cheap and cheerful” meals for a crowd: pasta + sauce + optional add-ins (frozen meatballs, beans, or extra veggies).
Recipe: One Pot Spaghetti Recipe Source
Image: Eating on a Dime Source
6) Big-Batch Fried Rice (The Leftover-Magnet Meal)
Fried rice is budget magic: rice + eggs + frozen veggies + whatever protein is on sale. It’s fast, flexible, and very filling.
Photo: Cooking Fried Rice Source
Image: Pexels Source
7) Tuna Noodle Casserole (Pantry Dinner for a Crowd)
A casserole is a budget host’s best friend: inexpensive ingredients, one baking dish, and it holds well on a buffet.
Recipe: Campbell’s Tuna Noodle Casserole Source
Image: Allrecipes Source
8) Curry + Rice (Budget Comfort in One Pot)
Curry is a powerful way to make low-cost ingredients taste like a full-on event. Pair with rice to stretch servings.
Photo: Curry Rice Dish in a Plate Source
Image: Pexels Source
9) Budget Taco Bar (Beans, Rice + Toppings)
Taco bars are naturally crowd-friendly and can be very affordable if you lean on beans + rice and keep toppings simple.
Guide: Taco Meat for a Crowd (Taco Bar) Source
Image: StyleBlueprint Source
10) Breakfast-for-Dinner Spread (Pancakes and a Buffet-Table Vibe)
Breakfast for dinner is one of the cheapest ways to create a “full spread” feeling: pancakes (or waffles), eggs, fruit, and whatever extras fit your budget.
Photo: Breakfast spread on table Source
Image: PickPik Source
Budget Hosting Tip: Use the “Starch + Protein + Sauce” Template
If you’re trying to keep meals for a crowd cheap, build around:
- Starch: rice, pasta, potatoes, tortillas
- Protein: beans/lentils/eggs, chicken drumsticks, tuna
- Sauce/Flavor: chili seasoning, curry paste, marinara, salsa bar
