Potatoes are an inexpensive option no matter how you cook them.
Hosting a party can get expensive when you factor in the cost of decorations and drinks, so making low cost food helps keep you from going over your budget. Sometimes the foods that cost the least are also some of the easiest to make, requiring little to no preparation. Also, don't be afraid to get your guests in on the action, asking them to bring favorite party dishes or drinks.
Slow Cooker
Make a meal in a slow cooker. These pots allow you to leave something cooking for hours, finishing right as it is time to eat. Some examples of low-cost slow cooker meals are meatballs, roast and chili. Crock pots also hold large amounts of food, which is perfect if you are having a lot of people at your party.
Salad
Make a large salad for your party. All you need for this are the vegetables you want to put in it and the type of dressing you want. In-season vegetables can be inexpensive. When you make your salad make sure you have several different dressing choices for your guests, unless your salad tastes best with a certain kind of dressing. Another option is to make a pasta salad. Pasta is another low-cost, high-volume ingredient.
Chips and Salsa
Chips and salsa are inexpensive and can be bought in bulk, which makes them a low-cost party appetizer. You can also buy the ingredients needed to make salsa, which can save you money, though it takes time to prepare. Making your own salsa allows you to achieve the exact taste that you want it to have by adding things like more tomatoes, onions or jalapeños.
Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are a cheap food to make, and you can add many different spices to it to make your own flavor. A bag of potatoes is about as inexpensive as produce gets, and all you need is some butter and milk to make your potatoes light and fluffy. Some spices you can add are garlic and rosemary.
If you have a deep fryer or a Dutch oven, fry chopped up potatoes (regular or sweet) and make french fries for your guests. A baked potato bar is another option. You bake the potatoes and guests add their own toppings.
Food Competition
A very low-cost and fun idea for your party is to have some kind of competition, such as a pie competition. Make sure the food is divided so that everyone gets to have a taste. This way you don't have to worry about preparing a dessert and everyone can show off their cooking skills. Have people anonymously set out their pies and cast votes so you can find a winner.
Tags: make your, your guests, your party, your salad