Sarra Ina Garten recipes for a crowd are designed to be made ahead, served in big batches, and enjoyed without keeping you stuck in the kitchen. These 20 favorites include hearty casseroles, slow-braised mains, big-pot soups, shareable dips, and buffet-ready sides and desserts.
1. Beef Bourguignon
Tender beef chuck braised for three hours in a full bottle of red wine with bacon, carrots, onions, garlic, and quartered mushrooms. The sauce turns silky and deeply savory, and the meat falls apart with a fork. Serves a crowd straight from the Dutch oven.
2. Baked Ziti
Italian sausage, crushed tomatoes, ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan layered with ziti pasta and baked until golden and bubbling. Ready in about an hour and fifteen minutes, this feeds a table of hungry guests without any fuss. Assemble it the night before and bake when company arrives.
3. Chicken Enchiladas
Shredded chicken rolled into flour tortillas with black beans, diced tomatoes with green chilies, cumin, and smoked paprika, then smothered in cheese and baked until bubbly. Done in about an hour and easily doubled for bigger groups. A hands-off crowd pleaser that holds well on a buffet.
4. Mushroom Lasagna
Layers of sautéed mushrooms, creamy béchamel, ricotta, Gruyère, Parmesan, and mozzarella stacked between no-boil noodles and baked for an hour. The filling is savory and earthy with a hint of nutmeg, and every slice holds together beautifully. A vegetarian main that satisfies everyone at the table.
5. Jambalaya
Chicken thighs, Andouille sausage, shrimp, bell peppers, celery, and rice simmered in one pot with paprika, cayenne, and oregano. Bold Cajun flavor and ready in just over an hour. Everything cooks together in a single pot, which makes cleanup painless.
6. Beef Tenderloin With Gorgonzola Sauce
Seared beef tenderloin roasted to a perfect medium-rare and served with a rich cream sauce made with crumbled Gorgonzola and a pinch of nutmeg. Done in just 40 minutes and impressive enough for a holiday table. Slice it thin and let guests serve themselves.
7. Standing Rib Roast
Garlic-and-herb-rubbed bone-in prime rib coated with rosemary, thyme, and olive oil, then slow-roasted until the center is perfectly pink. At eight to twelve pounds, this is built to feed a big group for the holidays. Allow about two hours and forty-five minutes from start to table.
8. Chicken Chili
Ground chicken simmered with crushed tomatoes, white beans, chopped bell peppers, cumin, and cayenne for a lighter take on classic chili. Ready in under an hour and easy to keep warm on the stove all afternoon. Set out bowls of sour cream, cheese, and cilantro and let everyone top their own.
9. Spaghetti And Meatballs
Three-meat meatballs made with beef, turkey, and veal, mixed with fresh breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and parsley, then simmered in a rich tomato sauce and tossed with spaghetti. Ready in one hour and universally loved. Double the meatball batch and freeze the extras.
10. Mexican Chicken Casserole
Corn tortillas layered with shredded chicken, black beans, diced tomatoes, green chilies, sour cream, and cheddar cheese, then baked until golden and melty. Done in about 55 minutes with minimal hands-on work. A one-dish dinner that travels well to potlucks.
11. Truffle Mac And Cheese
Gruyère and white cheddar melted into a buttery béchamel with a drizzle of truffle oil and finished with an optional Panko-Parmesan crust. Ready in 45 minutes and rich enough to serve as a main alongside a simple salad. Kids and adults fight over the crispy top.
12. Scalloped Potatoes
Yukon Gold potatoes sliced thin and layered with heavy cream, whole milk, garlic, Gruyère, and Parmesan, then baked until the top is deeply golden and the center is creamy. Needs about an hour and a half but is almost entirely hands-off once it hits the oven.
13. Spinach Gratin
Creamy spinach baked with butter, onion, garlic, Parmesan, Gruyère, and a hint of nutmeg, topped with golden Panko breadcrumbs. Done in 45 minutes and scales up easily for a holiday buffet. Pairs perfectly alongside roast beef or turkey.
14. Orzo Salad With Feta
Bright and tangy orzo tossed with cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, crumbled feta, fresh dill, parsley, and a lemon-Dijon vinaigrette. Ready in 25 minutes and served at room temperature, which makes it ideal for buffets. Tastes even better after sitting for an hour.
15. Confetti Corn Salad
Sweet corn sautéed quickly in butter and olive oil with red bell pepper, red onion, and torn fresh basil. Done in under 20 minutes and vibrant enough to brighten any spread. A colorful side that pairs with everything from grilled chicken to barbecue ribs.
16. French Onion Soup
Slow-caramelized onions simmered in beef broth with white wine, thyme, and bay leaf, then ladled into bowls and topped with toasted baguette slices and a thick blanket of melted Gruyère and Parmesan. Allow about an hour and fifteen minutes total. A rich, warming starter that makes any gathering feel special.
17. Tuscan White Bean Soup
Cannellini beans, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, crushed tomatoes, and a Parmesan rind simmered with rosemary and thyme until thick and hearty. Ready in 45 minutes and tastes even better the next day. Serve it with crusty bread and let the pot do the work.
18. Spinach Artichoke Dip
Warm, bubbly spinach and artichoke hearts folded into a creamy base of sour cream, mayonnaise, cream cheese, Parmesan, and mozzarella, then baked until golden on top. Done in 45 minutes and disappears fast once it hits the table. Serve with crackers, bread, or tortilla chips.
19. Bruschetta
Ripe plum tomatoes tossed with garlic, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and fresh basil, then spooned onto toasted baguette slices rubbed with a whole garlic clove. Ready in just 20 minutes and always the first appetizer to vanish. Make extra topping because guests always go back for seconds.
20. Texas Sheet Cake
Rich chocolate batter made with cocoa powder, buttermilk, and a full cup of butter, baked in a sheet pan and topped with a warm, fudgy chocolate icing. Done in 40 minutes and feeds a huge group from one pan. The crumb is incredibly moist and the frosting sets with a slight shine.
