How to Create a Menu for Your Big Family Dinner
![](https://images.pexels.com/photos/2890387/pexels-photo-2890387.jpeg)
How to Create a Menu for Your Big Family Dinner
Planning a big family dinner can be a daunting task...heck, even a dinner for three is stressful.
Written by The Stay Sane Mom Staff | See Comments | Updated 03/08/2022
Want to cut to the chase?
Weekly Meal Planner
![](/rails/active_storage/blobs/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBcVlGIiwiZXhwIjpudWxsLCJwdXIiOiJibG9iX2lkIn19--f2c43dae2022bac466525778e37f3d6821546e10/Cover%20Art.png)
How to Create a Menu for Your Big Family Dinner
This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.
Planning a big family dinner can be a daunting task. But with a little bit of organization and forethought, you can have a stress-free meal that your whole family will enjoy. The first step is to create a menu. This will give you an idea of what dishes you need to prepare and help you stay on track. Here are some tips for creating the perfect menu for your big family dinner.
1) Choose a Variety of Dishes
When creating your menu, try to include a variety of dishes such as a texas caviar. This will ensure that everyone can find something they like to eat. It also makes for an exciting meal and prevents things from becoming monotonous.
If you're not sure what to make, take a look online or in cookbooks for inspiration. There are plenty of recipes out there that are perfect for big family dinners. And if you're feeling particularly creative, why not come up with your own recipes?
Tip: If you have picky eaters in your family, be sure to include some options that they will enjoy. This could be as simple as including a few different types of pasta dishes or grilled chicken breasts.
2) Plan Ahead
One of the best ways to ensure a successful big family dinner is to plan ahead. This means doing all of your grocery shopping and preparation in advance. That way, you won't be rushed or stressed on the day of the meal.
It's also a good idea to make a list of dishes that you want to prepare. This will help keep you organized and ensure that you don't forget anything.
Tip: If you're short on time, consider preparing some dishes ahead of time. For example, you could grill chicken breasts or roast vegetables earlier in the day, so they're ready to serve later on.
3) Consider Your Budget
When creating your menu, be sure to consider your budget. Family dinners can be expensive, so it's important to make sure you're not overspending.
There are plenty of ways to save money on big family dinners. For example, you could choose to make mostly simple dishes or use less expensive ingredients. You could also ask everyone to bring a dish to share. This is a great way to lighten the load financially and ensure that there's enough food for everyone.
No matter your budget, there are ways to create a delicious and satisfying meal for your whole family.
4) Be Creative
The best part of planning a big family dinner is getting to be creative in the kitchen. You can try out new recipes or mix and match dishes from different cuisines. If you're feeling stuck, here are a few ideas to get you started:
Italian night: Serve up classic Italian dishes like pasta bolognese and chicken parmesan.
Mexican night: Whip up some south of the border favorites like tacos and enchiladas.
French night: Impress your guests with elegant French dishes like beef bourguignon and crème brûlée.
Asian night: Try out some exotic flavors with dishes like pad thai and chicken teriyaki.
The possibilities are endless, so get creative and have some fun with your menu!
Planning a big family dinner can be a lot of work, but it's definitely worth it in the end. With these tips, you're sure to create a meal that your family will love.
Start Your Next Step
Weekly Meal Planner
![](/rails/active_storage/blobs/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBcVlGIiwiZXhwIjpudWxsLCJwdXIiOiJibG9iX2lkIn19--f2c43dae2022bac466525778e37f3d6821546e10/Cover%20Art.png)
Get Sanity, Delivered to Your Inbox.
Care to Share?
About the Author
![](https://thestaysanemom.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBa1FGIiwiZXhwIjpudWxsLCJwdXIiOiJibG9iX2lkIn19--44dbbc597abe9193762ea64c59f1377a1f398b7b/Woman%20on%20Laptop.jpg)
The Stay Sane Mom Staff
Contributor
Occasionally we post blogs that are a team effort from The Stay Sane Mom staff. Fear not, these are still up to our quality standards, they just don't come from any one person (rather the team at large). As my 4-year-old says, teamwork makes the dream work.