Help! Dinners for company

NavyClan

Just found out a friend is planning a trip out our way next week. He'll be staying with us to cut hotel costs. Problem: DH and I have been living off of bare bones type dishes because we're cheap. Friend will be here Thursday through Sunday. What are some of your go-to recipes for company that aren't too difficult but still make you look like a well prepared host? 

annibes

Ham, cheesy potatoes, green-bean casserole is my go-to holiday feast. Ham sandwiches for lunch the next day, or ham pieces in the cheesy potatoes paired with a salad to use up the extra. Or omelets. Pasta is easy. Soup and sandwiches are always good! You could also do a casserole or two- make them ahead and they heat up easily. And I know my friends love to cook, so we always cook at least one elaborate meal together- it's fun! I hope the visit isn't stressful and that you can visit and relax while your guests are in town!

lwogsland

Agree on ham and cheesy potatos..easy to prepare ahead..and good for leftovers.

Also lasagna..since you could make it ahead..and cook when needed.

NavyClan

What is this cheesy potatoes you speak of? Do you have a recipe? And I like the idea of pasta, that sounds like something easy to put together. 

PolishWonder

tacos or chicken tortilla soup are easy and wicked yummy

HappyAardvark

Baked ziti for sure. Pot roast in the crock pot. My friend also takes a brisket and puts it in the crock pot with a can of Dr. Pepper and what comes out of it is pure magic. Have that with some regular old box potatoes au gratin (yeah I'm fancy like that) and DELISH.

annibes

NavyClan:

What is this cheesy potatoes you speak of? Do you have a recipe? And I like the idea of pasta, that sounds like something easy to put together. 

Truthfully, I take frozen potatoes, some sour cream, a load of cheddar, and a little salt and pepper, add a little milk for moisture, and bake until warm. I like "throw together" dishes like that. This recipe seems similar to what I've followed in the past: https://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1746,133188-253193,00.html

annibes

Or, check the frozen cubed potato bags- OreIda used to have a recipe on the bag. And there are a lot of recipes online- a search for "cheesy potatoes" will help you come up with a recipe- that way you can tweak to your tastes or get as interesting as you like.

twentyeightlegs

I made this and it was delish and pretty dang easy. You could even buy the squash pre-cut up. I used sage and rosemary on the chicken and some sage on the squash. I also just made it with breasts. 

https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/roast-chicken-with-butternut-squash 

I make a pasta dish with italian sausage (I like sweet) or hamburger, cooked, then add pasta sauce, make your own or dump out of a jar which I do because I'm lazy, then cut it was half and half or cream until it's pink, then add green peas and cook till peas are done. Serve over pasta, top with parm and torn fresh basil. SO GOOD.

And this is SUPER EASY and very very tasty. I usually just make it with shrimp b/c I'm poor and the crabs, mussels, etc get pricey quick.

https://southernfood.about.com/od/seafoodsoups/r/bl90c13.htm 

buckin

Soft Tacos/Quesidillas-Easy and cheap

Hamburgers and potato salad

baked spaghetti (cheap and leftovers are around for lunches)

Cheesy chicken cups with a side salad

cowgirltu

Anything in a crock pot.  Throw it in and forget about it.  Also, check the food network website.  I use it all the time.  They also rate their recipies in terms of easynes.

lwogsland

this is pretty close to my cheesy potato recipe..baby in an arm so i cant type up mine

https://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/recs/797/Au-Gratin-Hash-Browns123225.shtml

annibes

Oh, and DH and I made some healthy spaghetti last night that was pretty tasty. We steamed broccoli and yellow squash, tossed it in lemon juice, a little olive oil and garlic powder, then poured it over whole wheat spaghetti with a little Parmesan. We topped that with chicken breast pieces cooked in tomato (chicken breast cubes/strips thrown in frying pan with fresh tomato slices and simmered until done). It was fantastic, easy as can be, and covered all the food groups in one dish!

Disneygeek77

I make french bread pizza.  I buy a big loaf of french bread, hollow it out a little  bit to make room for toppings and then add whatever my family and the guests like.   We usually do hamburger, bacon, pepperoni, green peppers, black olives and onions. 

If I have any leftover toppings I will try to make a casserole a little later on with egg noodles.