<p>I’m back pedaling and saying I like the Lasagne idea better than Pizza. I do the Lasagne for casual, don’t know how I forgot that!</p>
<p>I was going to suggest Lasagna too. Even easier than that would be a baked penne with meatsauce…</p>
<p>Thanks for all of the ideas. They all sound so wonderful and I’m sure whatever I decide will be fine. Given the people coming, they will all just be happy it isn’t at their house and I’m sure they will eat whatever I serve. </p>
<p>Lasagne, garlic bread, salad. Yum.</p>
<p>Personally, I think pizza sounds great! I am sure a lot has to do with individual tastes, but I would enjoy a nice pizza more than a lasagna or a quiche or a taco (I do live in the place with some of the best pizza in the world, so that might color my view a little).</p>
<p>I think good-quality, local pizza (as opposed to some chain pizza) is a fantastic dish to serve. Probably one of the most appealing casual foods.</p>
<p>I am always happy with guests who are happy with whatever you serve. ;)</p>
<p>Charcuterie-cheeses, smoked meats, cut fresh fruit, dried fruit, assorted bread sliced,crackers, pate, caviar, fig jam, honey
Hot artichoke dip in bread bowl
Gooey topped onion soup
Mulled wine
Hot spiced apple cider</p>
<p>beerme: sounds wonderful…I think a bit labor intensive…but I love the menu.</p>
<p>the last time i served pizza to neighbors, I also made an eggplant parm. nice salad with it. My sister was surprised how the eggplant disappeared. She’s not a fan, but others were. When invited to their big party, they requested the eggplant.</p>
<p>You mentioned meatballs. My “party” ones are prockiss (SP?), meatballs wrapped in cabbage. I can make them ahead.</p>
<p>Lots of easy short ribs or flanken recipes.</p>
<p>Lasagna is always my go-to because both the salad and the main meal can be prepared hours before hand (or even before that). Add some garlic bread and maybe brownies with vanilla ice cream for dessert and you are good to go! Easy peasy.</p>
<p>Funny because I had just started trying to get ideas for D’s graduation party and have decided to go with 3 different pasta dishes that can be prepared early (mac n/ cheese, baked ziti, lasagna) with crockpot(s) of meatballs, 2 different salads (caesar and green), garlic bread and dessert table. They’ll be about 60 people there and this is looking like the easiest, cheapest, and best way to feed all age groups and interests. Of course, when I say 3 pasta dishes, I don’t mean just 3, I mean 3 different types. I’m actually thinking of asking close family to help out if I reimburse them for the products 
</p>
<p>I like to make stromboli and serve with salad. I’ve done the appetizer buffet idea and although I love to eat appetizers I find that sometimes they are more work than making a meal. </p>
<p>I have too many friends that don’t eat red meat. DH is a low carb guy so I never do lasagna or pizza or most casseroles any more. </p>
<p>Probably my go to main dish is salmon - grilled on a plank is super easy. </p>
<p>Otherwise there’s always chicken. Roast chicken is good and people are often unreasonably impressed. I love chicken cacciatore - the Splendid Table cookbook has a great version, but my youngest is not a big fan of red wine and olives so it’s off rotation currently. On the other hand he loves chicken with apricots with Morrocan spicing. It’s from Mark Bittman’s The Best Recipes in the World and is super simple. Your rub about 3 pounds of chicken pieces (I use thighs) with cinnamon, cumin, coriander, ground ginger and a little cayenne and brown it 10-15 minutes , add 1 chopped onion and saute another 5 minutes. Remove the chicken and pour off some of the extra fat. Then add 1/2 lb of dried apricots (pre-soaked in 2 cups of hot water),1/4 cup of liquid (stock, wine, water) plus the apricot liquid and about 2 tsp of lemon juice or vinegar. Bring to a boil then cook till about half the liquid is gone. Put the chicken back in and cook another five minutes. I often don’t bother to remove the chicken since I like the flavor to soak in more. Finally there’s a really delicious chicken and rice dish in Jerusalem - I make it with less rice. <a href=“Chicken With Cardamom Rice From ‘Jerusalem’ - The New York Times”>http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/23/dining/chicken-with-cardamom-rice-from-jerusalem.html</a></p>
<p>Chicken cacciatore is very easy done in the crock pot. Cook up the pasta just before ypunare ready to eat. Salad, a nice bread, and poof…dinner.</p>
<p>We have also done pulled chicken…like pulled pork but you use boneless breasts and thighs. Nice rolls, some Mac and cheese, a relish tray, and it is done. Borrow a second crock pot, and you can do the pulled chicken in one and the Mac and cheese in the second.</p>
<p>@leftrightleft…I’d love to have your stomboli recipe if you are up to sharing!</p>
<p>Lasagna or a taco bar sounds great. Most of these suggestions sound great, actually.</p>
<p>Okay can I just say I’d love to be invited to any of your houses? Seems like I’m usually the host, not the attendee. </p>
<p>If there are a few choices people will find something they like. </p>
<p>Honey Baked Ham!</p>
<p>We make mochi rice frequently. It keeps well in the insulated rice pot and is hearty enough to be a significant portion of the meal. We use chicken broth instead of water and add rehydrated dried mushrooms as well as cooked sausage. Yum!</p>
<p>Personally, I like dishes that are appetizing at whatever temperatures that people may be eating it. I personally dislike pizza cool or cold, but some folks are fine with it, including my kids. </p>
<p>Lettuce wraps with teriyaki meatballs (can be purchased at Costco & just heated–fully cooked) are delicious, especially if you include a dipping sauce that you think would be appetizing.</p>
<p>H always makes a nice smoked turkey, but it’s a major effort–takes at least 5 hours to cook plus some time to cool and carve.</p>
<p>I’m liking the baked potato bar too. With a spiral ham!</p>
<p>I’ve never seen teriyaki meatballs at Costco - I’d like to try those! Frozen foods? I think ours has had lettuce wraps on occasion, but not in a large quantity.</p>