This thread is so awesome! I am bookmarking it! So many great ideas!!
Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
You could ‘fancy’ it up by making your own soup with heirlooms and various potted herbs
Some really nice sourdough and an assortment of internationally themed, elevated cheese sandwiches
ie brie & jambon with chopped cornichons on the cheese
fontina & prosciutto with a sprinkling of basil
gruyere with grilled apple and dijon
etc
finish it off with a sweet fondue…
Pot roast. Chicken & dumplings. Spaghetti & meatballs. Meatloaf & mashed potatoes.
All of these come to mind as comfort food favorites.
I love the idea of mac n cheese, but would opt for it as a side dish instead of main.
Hmmm…I’m hungry!
Mulled wine?
Very thinly sliced tart green apple is fantastic on grilled cheese!
I would do chili, cornbread, and salad. If you serve Mac and Cheese, I’d definitely serve a salad as well or make it more of a side dish.
@momo2x2018 Grilled cheese and tomato soup is a great idea! And it’s yummy, but not too heavy.
The grilled cheese party I’m going to is having one gluton free station, several pannini presses, and the host is providing ‘starter’ things like cheese and breads, but hopes everyone will bring a few fun things. If everyone ends up with a plain old grilled American cheese on bread, that’s fine too.
I like the apple idea. With brie.
If you want to offer lighter for those trying to be healthy, a vegetable soup or veggie minestrone plus various fixings for salad/sandwich bar. Include assorted beans, humus, cheeses, meats, etc. Can have toaster oven/panini press, etc if you want to be fancier.
Enchilada casserole, rice, beans, salad. Couple of different salsas, guac and chips.
Quinoa with steamed vegetables and tofu with bean sprouts on the side. Wash it down with a big glass of prune juice.
Wow, this is the wrong thread to find when you’ve decided today is a fasting day.
Love the suggestions. Second Mac and Cheese. You can have a side of warm shredded chicken for those that would like to add some protein. Anything with mashed potatoes is food of the gods as far as I’m concerned.
Herb roasted potatoes with side of sausage (could add vegetarian option).
Lol, then stay away from other humans for a day or so. 
For vegetarians, a non-meat chili is easy and healthy.
I used to make a really good vegetarian chili - I can’t even remember which cookbook it was in, it’s been so long! I should make it again!
Five hour beef stew. Recipe on google
I do chili and cornbread pretty regularly for gatherings and I usually use half ground beef and half chuck steak.
One of my favorite things to make for dinner parties is lasagna bolognese. If you can start prepping a couple of evenings in advance and put the lasagna together that day, it makes socializing so much easier once guests arrive.
This past weekend I did grilled chicken and skirt steak fajitas for a dinner party for 8. Made a bunch of skewers with onions, peppers and zucchini. I had warm tortillas and made a three chili rice dish (very good from epicurious). And of course guacamole/chips.
@elena, or anyone else with an opinion - if you’re having 8 adults at dinner, is one pan of lasagna (13x9x2) enough? I am thinking of serving it but can’t decide, and don’t want to make 2.
I don’t like soup or beans so I’d likely do roast chicken, warm bread and a lasagna. Plus a salad because I like to be able to fill up on salad personally.
@1214mom - you would probably have just enough. Depends o how big of eaters they are and how much other food you’re serving. If it were me I’d probably make 2 just to be safe.
I don’t think I’d stretch one pan of lasagna MORE than 8 people. Do you have a deeper pan that you can sneak an extra layer? Or do you have a 13 x 9 that is a little larger? (I know, then it’s not a 13 x 9 but I have one like this!) . If I really wanted to keep to one I’d be sure to add an extra side.