Macaroni and Cheese for Large Group

Macaroni and Cheese for Large Group Calculator

The Macaroni and Cheese for Large Group calculator computes the amount of ingredients needed to prepare a creamy, baked mac and cheese dish for a group.

INSTRUCTIONS: Enter the following:

• (n) Number of People to be Served

Macaroni and Cheese Ingredients (MI): The calculator returns the amounts of the following ingredients:

• Elbow Macaroni
• Butter
• All-Purpose Flour
• Whole Milk
• Heavy Cream
• Cheddar Cheese (Shredded)
• Mozzarella Cheese (Shredded)
• Parmesan Cheese (Grated)
• Salt
• Ground Black Pepper
• Paprika (optional)
• Mustard Powder (optional)
• Bread Crumbs (for topping)

Ingredient amounts are given in kitchen-friendly units: cups, tablespoons, pounds, and ounces. The calculator will adjust these values based on the number of servings.

Cooking Instructions

Preparing the Pasta

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Add elbow macaroni and cook until al dente (about 7–8 minutes).
3. Drain and set aside.
4. Making the Cheese Sauce
5. In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
6. Whisk in the flour to make a roux; cook for 1–2 minutes.
7. Gradually whisk in the milk and cream. Continue to stir until thickened.
8. Lower heat and stir in shredded cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses.
9. Season with salt, pepper, paprika, and mustard powder (if using).
10. Assembling and Baking
11. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
12. Combine cooked macaroni and cheese sauce in a large baking dish.
13. Top with extra shredded cheese and bread crumbs.
14. Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes or until bubbly and golden on top.
15. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

The Math / Science

This recipe serves 9 people with the following base quantities:

The calculator will divide each amount by 9 and multiply by the number of people to serve.

Group Meal Planning Calculator

Serving food to larger groups often requires dishes that are easy to prepare in bulk, can be kept warm or cold for extended periods, and are generally well-received by a diverse audience. 

Imagine you’re hosting a party for 50 people. You want to serve lasagna, a garden salad, garlic bread, and brownies for dessert. Here's how the calculator helps:

• Step 1: Select lasagna, garden salad, garlic bread, and brownies from the menu.
• Step 2: Enter "50" as your guest count.
• Step 3: Instantly receive ingredient lists for each dish, scaled to serve 50 people.
• Step 4: Generate and print your complete shopping list.

No more guessing or manual calculations—our Group Meal Planning Calculator does it all for you. Say goodbye to the hassle of meal planning and enjoy your event stress-free!

Here are some popular options:

Main Courses

Pasta Dishes

• Lasagna
• Baked Ziti
• Spaghetti with meatballs or marinara sauce

Casseroles

• Chicken and rice casserole
• Shepherd's pie
• Macaroni and Cheese

Barbecue and Grill

• Hotdogs: Computes the number of hotdogs (sausages etc.) for a group including buns and fixings.
• Hamburgers
• Pulled pork or pulled chicken: Compute the amount of pulled pork needed for a group.
• Ribs
• Grilled chicken or sausages

Tacos/Burritos

• Taco bars with various fillings (beef, chicken, beans)
• Burrito bowls

Pizza

• Various toppings to cater to different preferences

Sandwiches/Subs

• Assorted cold cuts
• Meatball subs
• Pulled pork sandwiches

Sides

Salads

• Garden salad
• Caesar salad
• Pasta salad
• Potato salad: Computes the pounds of potatoes and amount of ingredients to make potato salad for a group.
• Coleslaw

Vegetables

• Roasted vegetables
• Green beans almondine
• Baked Beans: Computes the amount of baked beans (ounces and cans) for a group including additions to enhance the baked beans (e.g., bacon, onions etc)
• Corn on the cob

Potatoes

• Mashed potatoes
• Baked potatoes
• Potato wedges or fries

Bread/Rolls

• Garlic bread
• Dinner rolls
• Cornbread