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Easy Cheap Party Food for 50 Guests Everyone Will Love

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A collection of simple, affordable, and crowd-pleasing recipes designed to feed 50 guests with minimal fuss and maximum flavor. Includes meatballs, pasta salad, cheese and veggie platter, and dessert.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 5 pounds ground beef or turkey
  • 3 cups breadcrumbs (plain or Italian seasoned)
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 3 pounds rotini or penne pasta
  • 3 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 large cucumbers, diced
  • 1 cup black olives, sliced
  • 2 cups Italian dressing
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil or parsley, chopped (optional)
  • 3 pounds assorted cheeses (cheddar, mozzarella, pepper jack)
  • 5 large carrots, peeled and cut into sticks
  • 1 bunch celery sticks, trimmed
  • 2 cups ranch or hummus dip
  • Brownies for 50 servings (store-bought or homemade)
  • Optional: whipped cream or berries for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, beaten eggs, chopped onion, minced garlic, grated Parmesan, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
  2. Roll mixture into 1.5-inch balls and place on parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake for 20–25 minutes until browned and cooked through (internal temperature 160°F/71°C).
  3. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente, about 9–11 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
  4. In a large bowl, toss pasta with cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, black olives, Italian dressing, and fresh herbs if using. Chill until serving.
  5. Cut assorted cheeses into bite-sized pieces. Arrange cheese, carrot sticks, and celery sticks on a platter. Place ranch or hummus dip in small bowls. Keep refrigerated until serving.
  6. Slice brownies into 50 small squares. Garnish with whipped cream or berries if desired.
  7. Before serving, warm meatballs slightly if needed. Arrange all dishes attractively on the serving table with napkins and plates.

Notes

Keep hands wet when mixing meatballs to prevent sticking. Do not overcrowd baking sheets for even cooking. Rinse pasta under cold water after cooking to prevent sogginess. Toss pasta salad with dressing while pasta is slightly warm for better flavor absorption. Prepare ingredients ahead to save time. Meatballs reheat well in a low oven or microwave. Leftovers store up to 3 days refrigerated; freeze meatballs for longer storage.

Nutrition

Keywords: party food, cheap party food, easy party recipes, crowd-pleaser, meatballs, pasta salad, cheese platter, veggie platter, budget-friendly, feeding a crowd

Find it online: https://zorbmeal.com/easy-cheap-party-food-for-50-guests-everyone-will-love-recipes/