Lasagna for Large Group

The Lasagna for Large Group calculator computes the amount of ingredients needed to prepare lasagna for a group.

INSTRUCTIONS: Enter the following:

• (n) Number of People to be Served

Lasagna Ingredients (LI): The calculator returns the amounts of the following ingredients:

The amounts of ingredients above are given in common kitchen units such as pounds of ground beef and Italian sausage, cups of cheese, ounces of tomatoes, and teaspoons of seasoning.  These can all be automatically converted to compatible units via the pull-down menu beside each ingredient. 

Cooking Instructions

Preparing the Meat Sauce

1. Chop the yellow onions and mince the garlic cloves.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
3. Add ground beef and Italian sausage, cook until browned, and drain excess fat.
4. Stir in onions and cook until soft. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
5. Pour in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste. Stir well.
6. Add red wine (if using), basil, oregano, salt, black pepper, sugar, and red pepper flakes.
7. Simmer on low for at least 30 minutes.
8. Preparing the Ricotta Mixture
9. In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, parsley, and salt.

Assembling the Lasagna

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Spread meat sauce in the bottom of a baking dish.
3. Layer lasagna noodles over the sauce.
4. Spread ricotta mixture over the noodles, then sprinkle mozzarella cheese.
5. Repeat this process for multiple layers.
6. For the final layer, top with noodles, the remaining sauce, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese.

Baking the Lasagna

1. Cover with foil (tent slightly to prevent cheese from sticking) and bake for 25 minutes.
2. Remove foil and bake for another 20-25 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.
3. Let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing.

The Math / Science

The recipe used is for a serving of 9 people as follows:

The calculator will use these amounts, dividing by 9 and multiplying by the number of servings to determine the correct ingredient quantities.

Large Group Dishes

When serving larger groups, it's best to choose dishes that are easy to prepare in bulk, keep well, and appeal to a wide range of tastes. Some of the most common dishes include:

Buffet-Style & Family-Style Meals

• Pasta Dishes – Baked ziti, lasagna, spaghetti with meatballs, or macaroni and cheese.
• Tacos/Fajitas – DIY taco or fajita bars with meats, tortillas, toppings, and sides.
• BBQ Platters – Pulled pork, brisket, ribs, or BBQ chicken with coleslaw and cornbread.
• Casseroles – Shepherd’s pie, enchiladas, or chicken and rice casseroles.
• Roast Meats – Roast chicken, turkey, ham, or prime rib with sides.
• Vegetables - Baked beans, potato salad

Finger Foods & Appetizer Platters

• Sliders – Mini burgers, pulled pork sliders, or chicken sandwiches.
• Wings – Buffalo, BBQ, or garlic parmesan wings.
• Cheese & Charcuterie Boards – Assorted meats, cheeses, crackers, and fruits.
• Spring Rolls & Dumplings – Asian-style finger foods with dipping sauces.
• Nachos & Chips with Dips – Guacamole, salsa, queso, or hummus platters.

Comfort & Homestyle Meals

• Chili & Soups – Served with bread or cornbread.
• Mashed Potatoes & Gravy – With meatloaf or roasted meats.
• Breakfast Platters – Scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, and hash browns.
• Pizza – Easy to order or make in bulk.
• Baked Potatoes – With assorted toppings like cheese, bacon, sour cream, and chives.

Camping and Picnic Foods

• Meat: Hotdogs and Hamburgers
• Veg: Baked beans, potato salad
• Desert: Smores

Drinks

• How much Coffee to Serve a Group: Computes how much ground coffee (grounds) needed to brew a large volume of coffee based on the serving size and number of servings.
• How much Lemonade to Serve a Group: Computes how much powdered lemonade mix needed based on the serving size and number of servings.
• How many Bottles of Wine for a Party: Computes number of bottles of wine are needed for a group based on the number of people and the duration of the event (dinner party, get together).
• How many Bottle of Beer for a Party: Computes number of bottle of beer are needed for a group based on the number of people and the duration of the event (party, get together).
• How many Bottles for a Champagne Toast: Computes the number of bottles of champagne you'll need for a toast and the cost based on the number of people, ounces per glass, and ounces per bottle and price per bottle.