Quick...need menu ideas for family gathering!

[pinkytoe]

Our house got picked once again as the location for a small (12) family gathering this coming weekend. I need to come up with a menu for feeding everyone. It can't be potluck because some are from out of state or driving long distances. We are not big meat or dessert eaters but they are. In the past, we did a lasagna/salad and another time, BBQ and sides so I'd like to do something different but not sure what that would be. Some sort of casserole? Any other ideas would be appreciated.

[SteveinMN]

Chili. Maybe two kinds so the meat-lovers can have theirs and you can have a version you prefer. Serve with a green salad and cornbread or crackers. Dessert? Whatever you like, I guess. Bars/brownies/pound-cake-like loaves.

Taco or enchilada casserole with a cole slaw or finger vegetables ("baby" carrots, broccoli/cauliflower florets, etc.). Or if you're up to the putzy work of prep, a taco bar at which everyone makes their own.

Roast chicken (probably not turkey; too close to [American] Thanksgiving). Mashed potatoes, green beans or some other steamed vegetable; a classic.

[CathyA]

Chicken and noodles? Maybe a chicken pot pie casserole? Salad, bread.
For desert, you could make a big pumpkin sheet cake with cream cheese icing.
The Chili and corn bread is a good idea too. A veggie tray and a fruit bowl is always nice too.

[puglogic]

My go-to is a do-it-yourself taco bar. We make something like fajita chicken, shrimp, sometimes carnitas, then lay out a spread with warm tortillas, guacamole, shredded cheese, a hot and a mild salsa, some chopped red onion and cilantro, maybe a spicy cabbage slaw or some black beans. Add cold beer, each creates their own preferred taco, no guesswork involved :)

[Jilly]

There is not any reason why the out-of-towners cannot stop at the market on the way to your home and buy all the meat they want. Just coordinate with them regarding your menu and somebody's your uncle.

[Jilly]

And, many desserts travel well for long distances in a car.

[catherine]

I don't usually weigh in on these topics because cooking is NOT my forte, but for my DH's big party I ordered a chicken marsala dish from my local Italian deli/restaurant and everyone raved. The chicken was in chunks right on the marsala gravy, so it was easy to eat. You could probably do egg noodles or pasta on the side.

I don't have a good recipe for chicken marsala, but here's one that looks kind of like the one I served. I would even cut the breasts up smaller than this though.

http://savorysweetlife.com/2010/03/chicken-marsala/

[Aqua Blue]

baked potato bar and ice cream sundae bar

[Dhiana]

My go-to is a do-it-yourself taco bar. We make something like fajita chicken, shrimp, sometimes carnitas, then lay out a spread with warm tortillas, guacamole, shredded cheese, a hot and a mild salsa, some chopped red onion and cilantro, maybe a spicy cabbage slaw or some black beans. Add cold beer, each creates their own preferred taco, no guesswork involved :)

+1
Make it soft tortillas for less messy eating.
Add cream cheese and fresh fruit such as strawberries and blueberries to the bar for dessert tortillas.