Quick Meal Ideas for Large Families

Everyone knows that soup stretches, which makes it an ideal meal for large families. Stick with soup favorites, such as chicken noodle or split pea with ham, when you're in the mood for comfort food. If you're hankering for heartier fare, make rich beef stew or chili instead of soup. Place all of the ingredients in a slow-cooker in the morning and come home to a hot meal. Serve soup with crunchy French bread and a generous green salad with a variety of dressings for everyone to choose from.

Not only do casseroles provide generous servings, you'll only dirty a few dishes while making them. If you're on a budget, make classic tuna noodle casserole with frozen or canned peas and a salad dressing mix for seasoning. A flavorful taco casserole featuring seasoned ground beef, shredded cheese and crushed tortilla chips is faster to prepare than tacos and is sure to please your entire family.

Making spaghetti for a crowd is as simple as boiling a pot of noodles. The meal is both filling and inexpensive, making it ideal for large families. Make your own sauce from scratch with canned tomatoes and Italian seasonings to allow you to prepare as much as you need. Serve the marinara sauce with or without meat, depending on your family's preference.

Hot shredded beef or pork sandwiches is a casual meal idea that will satisfy a large family. Make the meal in a slow-cooker by combining a beef or pork roast with a simple homemade barbecue sauce, featuring ketchup, brown sugar and cider vinegar. Serve the meat on buns or slices of bread, depending on what you have on hand.