You can also go on line and type in cooking for a group. Remman magazines have some good recipes as does the Canadian Food Network.

That's a lot of people, but it sure sounds like fun. I have a couple of crockpot recipes that may work for you. I've made both of them and they are really good. The Spanish rice filled my crockpot almost to the very top--and kids don't eat that much when they'd rather play :-)

CROCKPOT SPANISH RICE

2 pounds lean ground chuck
2 medium onions, chopped
2 green peppers, chopped
2 cans (14 1/2 ounces) tomatoes
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
1 cup water
2 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
2 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 cup rice, (not Minute Rice)

Brown beef in skillet and drain off fat. Put all ingredients in CROCK-POT. Stir thoroughly. Cover and cook on Low 6 to 8 hours. (High: 3 hours).

You can double this. See note at the bottom.

SLOW COOKER LASAGNA (luckygardnr@KT)

* 8 lasagne noodles, uncooked
* 1 lb. ground beef or ground turkey
* 1 tsp. Italian Seasoning
* 28 oz. jar spaghetti sauce
* 1/3 cup water
* 1 small carton of fresh mushrooms
* 15 oz. ricotta or 24 oz. cottage cheese (can use low fat)
* 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
* 1 red pepper
*1 sweet onion

1. Break noodles. Place half in bottom of greased slow cooker or use a Reynolds Slow Cooker Bag and there's no mess.
2. Brown ground beef. Drain. Stir in Italian seasoning. Spread half over noodles in slow cooker.
3. Layer half of sauce and water, half of mushrooms, half the pepper, half of the onion, half of ricotta or cottage cheese and half of mozzarella cheese over beef. Repeat layers.
4. Cover. Cook on low for 4-5 hours. (You can also double these ingredients and make 3 layers.)
**Note - the first time I made this I cooked the noodles 5 hrs. They were very perfect. However, when I warmed this up the noodles became mush. I now cook it for 4 hrs.

I have a casserole that makes a LOT
ITALIAN SHELLS CASSEROLE
2 pounds medium-size shells
1 teaspoon salt
16 ounces sour cream
16 ounces provolone cheese, sliced
2 pounds ground beef
2 to 3 quarts spaghetti sauce (your own or pre-made)
1/2 teaspoon pepper
24 to 32 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
Cook shells. Rinse, drain and set aside.
Brown ground beef. Add salt, pepper and spaghetti sauce. Simmer for 20 minutes.
Spray deep lasagna pan or large casserole dish with nonstick spray. Line with half of the shells. Cover shells with half the meat sauce. Spread half the sour cream over it and cover with half of both cheeses. Repeat for the second layer. Cover with lid or foil and bake at 350 degrees F for 40 minutes.
Uncover and bake 20 minutes more.
Serve hot.

this one can make a lot too, I add diced ham to it by you could add cooked sausage crumbles or smoked sliced sausage pieces.

Tatertots casserole

preheat oven 350%
spray 13x9 dish with pam
mix all ingredients together in a large bowl ( make
sure you get all tatertots coated
pour into pan spread evenly bake 35 to 40 mins

1 can cream of mushroom soup
8 oz sour cream ( I use 16 oz size)
1 onion chopped
1-2 cup grated cheese
1 package tatertots (I use onion ones)
some recipes call for 1 stick melted butter also. You can add chopped up ham or bacon too. Definitely use the 16 oz sour cream!

Kids love macaroni and cheese. You could add sliced hot dogs to it and that would be rather inexpensive, considering the cost of food these days. Bet you wouldn't have any leftovers!

Another idea is soup of some sort--maybe chicken noodle??? Is it still cool enough in Canada for soup?

Well, I thought of another crockpot recipe. This could easily be doubled, but I (personally) wouldn't double the green pepper.

PINEAPPLE BAKE BEANS AND BEEF (Luckygardnr@KT)

1 pound ground beef (extra lean)
28-oz can baked beans
8-oz can pineapple tidbits, drained
1 large onion, chopped
1 large green pepper
1/2 cup barbecue sauce
2 Tbs soy sauce
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

In skillet, brown beef, drain. Transfer to crock pot. Add remaining ingredients, and mix well. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours. Serve in bowls

My favorite way to eat baked beans.
And serve with texas toast!

Weiners and beans

1 lb hot dog, cut into fourths
3 (15 ounce) cans pork and beans
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup molasses **in a pinch pancake syrup will work
2 teaspoons prepared mustard

Directions:
Prep Time: 5 mins

Total Time: 6 1/4 hrs
1 Put all the ingredients into a 4-quart crock pot; stir to mix well.
2 Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours

My MIL version of texas toast

Melt butter
Lay out bread slices, brush one side with butter, then top with another slice of bread, brush with butter, etc etc.
I generally cut them in half and then wrap in aluminum boil and heat until warm.

Great for sopping the beans

Mac and cheese:

Layer the mac and cheese with cubes of spam Yeah!

Beef Nacho Casserole

INGREDIENTS

1 pound ground beef
1 1/ cups fresh chopped tomatoes
3/4 cup sour cream
1 tsp chili powder
2 cups tortilla chips (crushed)
2 cups shredded cheese (colby or monterey jack)

DIRECTIONS

1. Set oven to 350f

2. Place ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat and cook breaking it up until brown. Drain grease and remove from heat. stir in fresh tomatoes and sour cream along with chili powder.

3. In a 2 quart casserole dish layer half of ground beef mixture and half of tortilla chips and half of cheese.

3. Next do the same with the other half of ingredients for a second layer.

4. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until heated through and cheese is melted and serve.

What about baked spaghetti, salad and french bread or pulled pork sandwiches with baked beans and slaw or brisket tacos, beans or rice and chips. Economical and I think most kids and adults like them.

CrockPot Mac and Cheese is a good one. You'll find dozens of recipes online. Slow cooked Pork for pulled pork sandwiches, cabbage roll casserole (prepare ahead and bake during the class), macaroni and ground beef casserole is always good.

You can put chicken breasts (or other pieces) in the crockpot and cook on high for 4-5 hours. The meat will fall off the bone and you can shred for BBQ, or Tacos, or chicken salad.

A taco or baked potato bar, with bowls of the fixings so people can help themselves.

A twist that my kids LOVE...breakfast for dinner. Only problem, you'd have to cook up whichever pancakes, waffles, french toast or scrambled eggs ahead of time and reheat? Serve with a meat (bacon, sausage), toast or fresh fruit!

Here's one I found for you:

COUNTRY CHICKEN CASSEROLE

30 servings

This is a comforting and filling casserole perfect for chicken leftovers.

FILLING
1 1/4 cups butter
1 2/3 cups flour
2 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/4 teaspoons white pepper
10 cups half-and-half
10 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules
10 cups cubed cooked chicken
5 (1lbs) packages frozen mixed vegetables , thawed

TOPPING
5 cups flour
1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1 2/3 cups butter , softened
1 1/4 cups grated parmesan cheese
5 eggs

1. Heat oven to 400�.
2. Melt 1/4 cup butter in large saucepan over medium heat.
3. Stir in 1/3 cup flour, salt and pepper until smooth.
4. Stir in half and half and bouillon granules.
5. Cook until thickened and mixture comes to a boil, stirring constantly.
6. Stir in chicken and vegetables; cook until thoroughly heated.
7. Pour filling into an ungreased 2-quart casserole dish.
8. In a small bowl, combine flour, baking powder, butter, cheese and egg; mix with fork or pastry blender until crumbly.
9. Crumble topping over chicken mixture.

10. Bake at 400� for 20 to 30 minutes or until topping is golden brown and filling bubbles around edges.

1 hours 15 minutes ( 45 mins prep time, 30 mins cook time )

Here is a link that might be useful: Cooking for 20 or more

Sloppy joes.....you could even use Manwich canned sauce and put it in the crockpot to keep it warm....

Barbequed chicken legs or wings....fried chicken....

One more: this was posted as the Duggar family tater tot casserole recipe.

DUGGAR's TATER TOT CASSEROLE
2 lb ground turkey cooked, seasoned, drained
3 2lb bags tater tots
2 cans cream of mushroom
2 cans evaporated milk
2 cans cream of chicken
Brown meat & place in large cass. dish.
Cover with tater tots. Mix soup & milk together.
Pour over top. Bake at 350 for 1 Hour.
(One of Daddy�s Favorites!) Makes 2- 9"X13" pans

Great suggestions! Thank you all so much for the ideas. I'll get started on them on Friday. :)

I have two grandsons, ages 7 & 9 - I could put ANYTHING in mac and cheese and they'd eat it! I also buy the canned beanless chili and make them chili dogs, which they'd eat every day, too.

Tacos in a Bag:
browned hamburger
individual bags of Doritos
shredded cheese
shredded lettuce
chopped tomatoes
sour cream
salsa
How to make it

fry up the taco meat with onions and add some mild salsa from home before hand. Then just warm up the mixture prior to adding to bag.
Take an individual bag of Doritos and smash them up without opening bag. Then open bag and put in what you like on a taco from the ingredients above. Hold the bag closed and mix up. Eat right out of the bag. Kids love these!

You could make beef chowder. In a large pot (iron), brown beef (cut into small pieces) ground beef will work also, then added potato cut into small pieces (diced), chopped celery and carrots. Also add diced onion if you are adventous. Add other canned vegtables to bring the mix up to the desired volume. Canned corn, peas, and tomato come to mind. To add liquid, use tomato juice. The V8 brand is a good mix for this. Later on, if more liquid is needed, you may use low fat malk or water.

Heat and add spices to your liking. Lightly salt. Let the consumer add more salt if he wants. One can add salt just before eating, but you can not take it out if it has too much. Other spices - your choice: chili powder; Louisana Hot Sauce.

Bring the mix to a boil and reduce heat to simmer. Simmer until the raw vegtables have softened ( edible). The chowder is done at this point. It can be kept hot for several hours before serving without ruining the mix, or it can be allowed to cool and reheated before the meal.

Serve with a goodly supply of oyster crackers. Mmnnn, Smacking good. (Regular soda crackers work, too.)

Make enough for two servings per person. They will come back for a second bowl.

You can modify the taste a bit by adding a pinch of brown sugar while the mix is heating up. Add sparingly. Add a bit, stir in and taste test before adding more. a little goes a long way, and too much ruins the batch.

This recipe is a real keeper :-) Makes a full 2 1/2 qt. casserole. So easy, you can double or triple and divide into casserole dishes. Can be made ahead, can be frozen. I omit the cup of cheese over the top. There's plenty mixed in as it is.

Here is a link that might be useful: Pioneer Woman Chicken Spaghetti

There's plenty of inspiration at the site that gives recipes for 50 or more.

Here is a link that might be useful: Cooking For 50

Quiche
Baked potatoes with toppings
Hot dogs with toppings
Tacos with toppings
Pulled Pork Sandwiches (if you can get a good sale on pork shoulder)
Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Meat Loaf
Hot Tuna or Ham and cheese sandwiches

I make tator tot casserole too, but mine is slightly different, but kids still love it.
Spray 9x13 with non-stick and put a single layer of tator tots and bake at 350.
While tots are baking, brown 1 pound ground beef, when done, mix in 1 can cream of mushroom soup (sometimes I will use up some leftover sour cream with the soup, too)
Pull out tator tots, cover with beef/soup mix and top with 2 cups of shredded cheese
return to oven for 15 minutes or until cheese is melted.

I have made this many, many times for family reunions.

pizza casserole

everyone likes this one especially kids.

pasta
pizza sauce mixed with ground beef browned
pepperoni
monzarella shreded cheese

mix all of the above

heat to melt cheese.

this is always a big hit...

Chalupa
This is a great recipe for large crowds.....I always make this when my family comes from California for a visit.

3 to 5 lb. pork roast (the cheaper the better)
1 lb dry pinto beans (cleaned)
2 pods garlic, minced
2 tblsp. chili powder
1 tbsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. ground oregano
2 small cans diced green chilies (these are mild)
1 tbsp salt
1 tbsp pepper

Put all ingredients in a large pot and cover with water. Cook covered on a low heat. Add water as needed as beans will soak up the water. Cook for about 6 hours or until the roast falls off the bone. when done remove roast from the pot careful to remove all the bones. Chop up the meat and add back to the pot. Simmer with the lid off until thick (about 30 minutes) making sure to stir occasionally so it won't stick.

Serve over a bed of Fritos and add the following:
grated cheese
lettuce
onion
tomato
sour cream
salsa
guacamole.

Leftovers make great burritos.

I really love this one. It's a Cuban Roast. I served with garlic mashed potatoes and veggies.
http://www.oprah.com/food/Cuban-24-Hour-Roast-Pork

Nicole, I just came across this site. It was posted over in the Recipe Exchange forum. Maybe you can find some recipes here for your large group.

Here is a link that might be useful: recipes that are easy to increase or make ahead recipes.

I made this last night...took me about 30 minutes to prep.

Slice potatoes very thin (enough to fill about about 1/2 a casserole dish) and fry for a few minutes. After they are about half cooked - dump into casserole dish and into 400 oven to keep cooking.
Then brown 1 lb loose sausage and 1 onion. When done add 1 can cream of mushroom soup, mix well. (I also added some leftover peas, just because I needed a veggie and didn't want to throw these away) Take potatoes out of oven and pour sausage mix over potatoes. Top with a little cheese (I used a cheddar blend) and put back in oven for 15 minutes or so.

This is one of my stand-by easy to make meals. I almost always have the ingedients, everybody loves it, its inexpensive, and it is only 2 dishes to clean.
This amount will only serve about 4 hungry people.

nicole_ont, What did you end up making, was everyone happy?
Post the recipe if you would.