Feeding a big family is its own kind of math. You need dinners that stretch, fill everybody up, and don’t cost a fortune to pull off.
This list is built for exactly that, big pasta bakes, lasagna, pots of chili and soup, plus a few budget mains that go a long way.
Make once, feed the whole crew, maybe even land some leftovers.
Here we go…
Pesto Fish Tomato Bake With Orange Salad
A pesto fish and tomato bake that serves six right out of the gate. One pan, easy to scale, fresh salad alongside. A good way to get the family eating fish.
Creamy Shrimp Verde With Spiced Rice
Creamy green shrimp over spiced rice and beans. Stretches nicely with all that rice and fills hungry bellies. Tex Mex comfort the whole table goes for.
Black Bean Burger
This black bean burger recipe uses beans, egg, breadcrumbs, onion, herbs, and simple toppings for sturdy homemade patties.
Salmon Patties with Canned Salmon
Canned salmon patties that feed six for next to nothing. Quick, cheap and pantry friendly. The kind of supper that stretches a tight grocery week.
Best Lasagna Recipe
A proper classic lasagna from The Modern Proper. Layers of pasta, meat sauce and cheese, made to feed a crowd. Everybody’s happy, and the leftovers reheat great.
Baked Mostaccioli
Cheesy baked mostaccioli from The Modern Proper. A big pan of saucy pasta that goes a long way. Crowd food at its easiest.
Easy Bolognese
A rich meat sauce from The Modern Proper that stretches over a big pot of pasta. Make a double batch and freeze half. Family dinner, sorted twice.
Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
A from scratch spaghetti sauce from The Modern Proper. Cheaper and better than the jar, and it makes plenty. Toss it with a giant pot of noodles and feed everyone.
Easy Cabbage Rolls
Hearty stuffed cabbage rolls from The Modern Proper. A little old fashioned, very filling, and they make a big batch. Comfort food that feeds the masses.
Easy, Classic Shepherd’s Pie
Beef under a layer of mashed potatoes, from The Modern Proper. One big casserole feeds the whole table. Cozy, filling and budget friendly.
Enchilada Casserole
A cheesy enchilada casserole from The Modern Proper. All the enchilada flavor, layered into one big easy pan. A crowd pleaser for a hungry family.
Award Winning Chili | The Modern Proper
A deep, beefy chili from The Modern Proper. Make a giant pot and it just keeps giving. Cheap, hearty and better the next day.
Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe
The classic spaghetti and meatballs from The Modern Proper. Always a hit, easy to stretch, kids and grownups both happy. Family dinner gold.
Italian Wedding Soup
Tiny meatballs, little pasta and greens in a big pot of broth, from The Modern Proper. The whole family actually eats it. Easy to make a lot of.
Lasagna Soup
All the lasagna flavor in a sloppable soup, from The Modern Proper. Less work, feeds just as many. A fun big batch dinner.
Homemade Meatball Sub Recipe
Saucy meatball subs from The Modern Proper, broiled with melty cheese. Build a tray of them and feed the whole gang. Messy, fun, filling.
Zuppa Toscana
Creamy sausage and kale soup from Pinch of Yum. A big pot stretches far and pleases everybody. Bread on the side and dinner’s done.
Ang’s Creamy Tortellini Soup
Creamy tortellini soup from Pinch of Yum. Cheesy, filling and easy to scale up. Feeds a crowd without much fuss.
Carrot Soup with Spiced Ground Beef and Pine Nuts
Silky carrot soup topped with spiced beef, from Pinch of Yum. Carrots keep it cheap, the beef makes it a meal. A budget friendly bowl for the family.
Lemon Rosemary Chicken Soup
Herby lemon rosemary chicken soup from Pinch of Yum. Soothing, homey and easy to make a big batch. Good for a houseful.
Spicy White Chicken Soup with Seasoned Tots
Creamy white chicken soup with seasoned tots, from Pinch of Yum. The tots get the kids on board. Fun and filling for the whole family.
Basic + Awesome Creamy Potato Soup
Creamy potato soup from Pinch of Yum. About as cheap and filling as dinner gets. A big pot feeds everyone for pennies.
Instant Pot Spicy Short Rib Noodle Soup
Spicy short rib noodle soup from Pinch of Yum. Rich and hearty, fast in the pot. A warming bowl that satisfies a hungry crew.
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Smoky chicken tortilla soup from Pinch of Yum. Set out the toppings and let everyone build their own bowl. Easy, fun family feeding.
Sausage, Kale, and White Bean Soup
Hearty sausage, kale and white bean soup from Pinch of Yum. Rustic, filling and easy to stretch with extra beans. Big batch comfort.
Sarah’s White Chicken Chili
Creamy white chicken chili from Pinch of Yum. Cozy, crowd friendly and easy to double. A reliable feed the family dinner.
Sunday Chili
A deep, slow chili from Pinch of Yum. Makes a giant pot and just gets better with time. Cheap, hearty and built for a crowd.
Basic + Awesome Broccoli Cheese Soup
Cheesy broccoli soup from Pinch of Yum. Rich, simple and a guaranteed kid pleaser. A big batch goes fast around a full table.
Healing Chicken and Rice Soup
Nourishing chicken and rice soup from Pinch of Yum. Gentle, warming and easy to make a lot of. Good for the whole family when everyone’s worn out.
So there’s a month of dinners that stretch to feed a full house without emptying your wallet.
Big pasta bakes and lasagna for the easy nights, pots of chili and soup that just keep giving, budget mains that go the distance.
Make extra, freeze what you can, and feeding the crew gets a whole lot less stressful.