I personally think it sounds a little light. If you assume somewhere around 1/4 lb per person like a hamburger patty is you would be a little bit light. If I were doing it I would be safe and go with 15-20, because you will have shrinkage and loss from fat.
Will there be any other main dish items other than the ground beef bbq? I assume this is going to be served on buns like pulled pork? Because you know some people are going to be piling it on and that might cut some people short.But I always prefer to have plenty left over than none.

For recipes do you want for side dishes, appetizers, or what?
I think with that kind of bbq a good cole slaw or broccoli slaw is always good. I prefer broccoli slaw. Macaroni salad is good too.

this is really good I got the recipe from a restaurant we used to go to in Dallas. It makes a good amount.

BAKED POTATO CASSEROLE

5lbs potatoes(ready to boil)
1pt sour cream
1/2pt.chopped green onions(plus 1 oz. for garnish)
1/2pt.grated cheddar cheese(plus 3 oz. for garnish)
1/2pt.fried & crumbled bacon(plus 2 oz. for garnish)
1/4lb.margarine
1/2pt.milk
2tsp.salt
2tsp.coarse ground black pepper
*optional I always add a little cajun seasoning also
1/2 pt.= 1cup 1pt.= 2 cups

Boil potatoes until tender, then mash.
Mix all ingredients into mashed potatoes except for the garnish ingredients. Put mixture into large rectangular baking dish. Garnish, by sprinkling on top cheese, bacon and onion, and bake at 350 for 15 minutes or until cheese begins to brown.
*hint spray baking dish with pam for easy cleanup

I make this a lot too for parties and do it in the crock pot
Cheesy Potatoes1
1can cream of mushroom with roasted garlic soup
1jar Ragu cheese creations double cheddar sauce
1 1/2 lb or so of well scrubbed and washed red or gold potatoes sliced in rounds about 1/4 in.
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. pepper
1tsp Cajun seasoning (I use Tony’s)
2cup shredded cheese (I use Colby jack)
*Optional diced onion
*Optional diced ham
Spray well inside of crock-pot with Pam. Layer in potatoes. Mix soup and sauce with seasonings in a mixing bowl. Put in part of the shredded cheese on top of the potatoes then pour in the ingredients from mixing bowl. Put remaining cheese on top. Cover and cook in crockpot on high for 3 to 4 hrs till potatoes are tender. If adding onion or ham just mix it in with the soups in the mixing bowl.
I use this same recipe to make cheesy macaroni also I just replace the potatoes with cooked elbow macaroni (cooked very firm do not fully cook it) and stir it all up in the crock pot and cook.

You can do this in the oven too just cover for part of cooking time with foil(first 30 mins) and cook at 350 for about an hour till potatoes are tender. Cook in a 13x9 baking dish sprayed with pam.

This squash casserole is delish and really does not taste like squash.

SQUASH CASSEROLE

1 1/2 LBS SQUASH(or 2 cans squash)yellow
1 CAN CREAM OF CHICKEN SOUP
8 OZ SOUR CREAM
2 MED ONIONS CHOPPED
2 STALKS OF CELERY CHOPPED
1 CARROT GRATED
1 1/2 STICKS OF BUTTER OR MARGARINE
1 8OZ PCK OF HERB STUFFING MIX
SALT N PEPPER TO TASTE

PREHEAT OVEN TO 350%
SPRAY 13X 9 BAKING DISH

COOK SQUASH(drain) AND MASH ( ABOUT 30 MINS,)
COMBINE ALL INGREDIENTS IN BAKING DISH EXCEPT 1/2
STICK OF BUTTER AND HALF OF STUFFING MIX.(If you are using the stuffing mix that has separate seasoning pack use half now use the rest later)
MELT 1/2 STICK OF BUTTER AND MIX WITH REST OF STUFFING
MIX. POUR ON TOP OF CASSEROLE FOR TOPPING

BAKE AT 350% FOR 40to50MINS
LET STAND 15 MINS THEN SERVE.
YOU CAN USE THE FROZEN SQUASH ALSO.
I found it easier to mix all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl before putting in to the casserole dish.

Sorry about the capitals that is how it is saved in my files.

This post was edited by ravencajun on Mon, Mar 17, 14 at 12:30

Raven, those sound great! I am saving.
I am only taking the beef though, not even the buns which is fine with me. ;)

I'm confused by the term "ground beef BBQ". Do you mean something like sloppy Joes?

I wondered the same as rhizo... do you mean Sloppy Joes?

I agree that 10 lbs won't be enough unless it's basically all kids -- or you know they'll be serving something else too (like hotdogs).

I was wondering what it was too but thought maybe like pulled pork but with ground beef.
I know that the men I used to feed never ate only one of anything lol.

Sorry, yes sloppy joes. I guess I just never grew up calling it that.
I just found out tonight there will also be soup pasta salad and she said a big subway sub...not sure how big.
There will be 6 children...I think I will make 13 pounds, I can always freeze any leftovers.