Planning an event for 50 guests can feel daunting when you’re on a tight budget. If you’re wondering how to cater for 50 people cheaply, here’s some good news: you can create an impressive spread by focusing on simple recipes, smart portioning, and affordable serving styles. According to Food52 (https://food52.com/story/10980-how-to-cook-for-a-large-group-on-a-budget), a potluck or build-your-own station lightens both your workload and your costs. Let’s explore practical strategies to feed your crowd without emptying your wallet.
Plan the essential details
Before diving into the menu, think about your event specifics. Will it be a relaxed backyard party, a daytime office gathering, or a wedding reception? Pinning down the setting helps you decide if a buffet works best, or if a more formal plated service suits the occasion. Also, note any dietary restrictions and the time of day. This early planning plays a big role in saving money on both ingredients and extra staffing.
- Check your guest list for any allergies or special diets (gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan)
- Decide if you can serve all-in-one meals that fit multiple diets
- Factor in the event’s timeframe, so you know if a light brunch or hearty dinner is needed
Use smart menu strategies
When it comes to affordable meal ideas, the simplest dishes can be the biggest crowd-pleasers. You might pick a pasta bar, a taco buffet, or hearty casserole-style recipes. For example, large trays of baked penne or a mild veggie chili can easily feed 50 with minimal fuss. If you’d like to lower meat costs, consider potluck-style sides or DIY build-your-own pizza stations. Guests can add their own toppings, and you won’t be tied to an expensive, meat-heavy menu.
Some budget-friendly ideas (inspired by Food52 and Thriving Home) include:
- Big-batch soups or chilis that use beans, lentils, or vegetables
- Grain salads (farro or quinoa) with grilled veggies and nuts
- Bulk pasta (baked penne, macaroni and cheese) or layered dishes like lasagna
- Lightweight finger foods, such as sandwiches or sliders, combined with a hearty side soup
Size portions with care
Estimating how much food to serve can be tricky. If you’d like a deeper dive, you might check our resource on how do you estimate food for a party?. Generally, caterers recommend around half a pound to one pound of total food per person at a buffet (Evolved Events Catering). Salads can go quickly, so aim for about two gallons of pasta or potato salad per 50 guests (Faze Caterers). As for appetizers, 3–4 pieces per person for each hour typically works if you’re also serving a full meal.
Here’s a quick portion guide based on external data:
| Menu Item | Amount for 50 People |
|---|---|
| Appetizers (if meal) | 3–4 pieces per person, per hour |
| Pasta/Grain Salad | ~2 gallons total |
| Leafy Salad | ~50 cups |
| Dessert | 1 serving per person |
| Fruit | ~25 cups if served as a side |
Feel free to round up by 10–15% to avoid running out (Catering Zone), especially if you have a few bigger eaters on your guest list.
Shop and store ingredients strategically
Bulk buying is a favorite among caterers because it saves money and helps ensure consistency. Essentials like rice, pasta, flour, sugar, oil, and canned tomatoes store well and give you flexibility if plans change at the last minute (Restaurant and More). Here are some tips:
- Choose shelf-stable staples such as dried beans, canned goods, or frozen vegetables
- Pick large bags of rice or pasta, then portion out what you need
- Stock up on cooking oils, vinegars, and sauces that can create dressings or marinades in a pinch
- Freeze leftover meats for future events, or cook them in bulk to form the base of your menu
Offer an interactive twist
DIY sandwich or taco bars let you reduce waste and adapt to guest diets without spending a fortune. Food52 suggests setting up a shish kebab station, so everyone assembles their own skewers. You can also do a baked potato bar with various toppings. These interactive elements spread out the cost of add-ons (cheese, veggies) rather than forcing you to cover specialty versions for every single person.
- Set up labeled stations for each filling or topping
- Provide both meat and vegetarian protein choices
- Encourage guests to “build their own,” so they choose their perfect flavor
Pick a cost-effective serving style
Eating buffet-style can cost 10–30% more in total ingredients than plated service, but you’ll often require fewer staff members and can pre-cook items (Evolved Catering & Events). Decide what works best for your event flow:
- Buffet: Fewer servers needed, but you’ll want a bit more food variety
- Family-style plates: Serves multiple people at a table with shared dishes
- Plated meals: Fewer menu items overall, but might require more staff to serve quickly
If you want more tips on determining the best format, check out our article on how much does a buffet for 50 people cost? to see how buffets stack up in price.
Wrap up with sweet finishes
Desserts can blow your budget if you’re not careful. Sticking to a simple option like sheet cake or a big fruit cobbler will satisfy most sweet cravings without the cost of a fancy pastry spread. According to Faze Caterers, you usually need one dessert serving per person, or around 50 total for your group.
For an even cheaper approach:
- Bake two large sheet cakes rather than multiple smaller ones
- Offer make-your-own sundaes if you can store ice cream, so guests portion out how much they want
- Include a fresh fruit platter if it fits your budget, or skip fruit entirely to save costs (Kitchen Stewardship)
Quick recap and next step
The key to staying on budget is planning carefully and choosing meals that stretch ingredients. Remember to:
- Map out your event details and guest preferences.
- Pick cost-friendly dishes like big-batch pasta or chili.
- Estimate portions accurately by using guidelines or checking how do you estimate food for a party?.
- Shop in bulk for maximum savings.
- Use interactive stations to accommodate everyone’s tastes.
- Decide if a buffet or plated style works for you, or see how much should you charge for catering a party? if you’re helping someone else plan.
Choose one approach and have fun with it. Good news: guests rarely remember how much you spent, but they always remember a warm, satisfying meal. You’ve got this, and each small strategy keeps your budget in check. For additional guidance on overall expenses, stop by how much does food cost for 50 guests?. Enjoy your event planning, knowing that a little creativity truly goes a long way.