RedGarnet222

We do meat ball sandwiches with mozzarella cheese on sweet French sandwich rolls. I put the meat balls into a steamer with the sauce on it and have all the rest on platters for each person to assemble the sandwich like they want it to be. I also have a fruit and veggie trays along with and chips and dips. It is a very casual but fun meal and very easy if you buy the meat balls in a big bag ready made. My family likes to come and go as they wish and this makes it easy and hot whenever they want to eat. I usually have homemade cookies and a pie or cake on hand. Add lots of different types of drinks and your set!

cjsews

I vote for the potato bar too. We do that as a family gathering with a salad. Topping can for both potato and salad.

QltrSue

Hey, these are great ideas for people with different likes/needs. Will have to file for future family gatherings. Thanks!

Pennyhal

Love the potato bar idea!

quiltingcandy

I have done a burrito bar - which is like the taco idea but I did a roast in the crockpot with burrito seasoning until it just shredded like pulled pork. And I have done the same with chicken. (For some reason I when I eat the white meat of chicken it dries my mouth so much it is hard to swallow, even when smothered in a sauce, so when i do the burrito style, I do the whole chicken.

To me it would be next to impossible to make a casserole with using onions - every tomato sauce I make has some onions in it.

Good luck in your endeavor. Have you google searched casseroles without those items?

Teacup

There are some great ideas here. A number of times I've successfully done a taco salad bar for a group and everyone makes theirs to taste. It works great. Cook hamburger with a a taco seasoning packet. If you have a big group or people who don't eat red meat, you could also do shredded chicken. A big bowl of chopped lettuce (romaine and ice berg). Separate bowls with green onions, diced tomatoes, green peppers, black beans, olives, salsa, sour cream, guacamole, shredded cheese, Fritos or tortilla chips, and a favorite salad dressing (ranch, taco ranch, french). This has always gone over well. Even vegetarians can find things to eat.