8 Big-Batch Recipes You Should Make for the Long Weekend
We’ve got you covered from breakfast through dessert!
Matt Armendariz
A long weekend with the family requires careful consideration — you want to make dishes that are both big enough to feed a crowd and suitable for every taste. Plus, you definitely don’t want to be stuck in the kitchen all day. So, if you’re going on vacation (or taking a staycation) with the fam, make self-serve dishes that are easy to prepare and can feed everyone from toddlers to grandparents. These are the kinds of big-batch meals that taste great, satisfy everyone and won’t keep you glued to the stove all day.
Breakfast
Bagel Breakfast Casserole (pictured above)
Don’t spend all morning assembling individual breakfast sandwiches. Instead, take the breakfast ingredients you know and love (like bagels eggs and sausage) and turn them into one big casserole. Our advice? Prepare the casserole in advance and let it chill in the fridge overnight. The next morning, all you need to do is bake and eat!
There’s a lot to love about Ree Drummond’s yummy oatmeal. It feeds up to 10 people, it’s both filling and sweet (thanks to peaches, blueberries and raisins) and there’s only one dish to clean up at the end. Have an eater who doesn’t like almonds or coconut? No problem! They can choose their own toppings to suit their taste.
Lunch
Scott Gries
Rachael Ray loves this simple pulled pork because “it stretches a dollar and your time.” She whips up an easy barbecue sauce while the pork cooks low and slow, then mixes it all together before serving. You’re going to want to hold onto the pork drippings after it’s done cooking. Rachael likes to mix them in the barbecue sauce for extra deliciousness.
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Bring the fun into the kitchen with these DIY pizzas. Set out deli rolls (or halved baguettes), sauce and a bunch of toppings and let everyone build their own. It’s a guaranteed way to end lunch with a smile — and really, who doesn’t like pizza?
Dinner
Brian Kennedy, 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Trust us — a classic beef stew is never a bad idea. This recipe requires a bit of prep work, but it’s worth it when you taste the thick, rich gravy. Have leftover bread from the pizzas? Serve it with the stew to mop it all up!
Renee Comet, 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Like pizza, tacos are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser — especially when everyone builds their own. Plus, tacos are a great vessel for using up any leftover pulled pork or pizza toppings. Win-win.
Dessert
Matt Armendariz
When baking for a big group of people, the best desserts are the ones you can simply slice and serve. These brownie-cookie bars range from extra chocolatey to salty-sweet, offering something for everyone at the table.
Tara Donne
Warm both hearts and tummies with an ooey-gooey apple crumble. The sheet pan allows for maximum topping, so it’s ideal for those who love to steal the crumbs off the top (and chances are, your family definitely has at least one person who does). To up the cozy factor even more, serve it fresh out of the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
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