485386 Fri Feb 01 10:24:24 -0800 2008 11 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 3355920 Okay, so my girlfriend is having this potluck lunch at work for someone's going away party. Since she can't cook and I can, of course I have the chore. Well, they said they need main dishes. I am broke, don't really care about these people, don't really know them (I know that all sounds mean), BUT I don't want to spend a lot of money. But still wow them with what I make, or at least make it taste good. Any suggestions on cheap potluck main dishes. We are talkin $10 total. IT doesn't have to be something huge because there will be so much food. Thanks! Fri Feb 01 10:24:24 -0800 2008 162585 vmd1123 1 3356219 Mac N Cheese with either chipotle or green chiles usually goes over well, especially if you bake it that nice brown crust wows em every time. Chili in a crockpot is another easy one. Doesn't need to have much meat in it. Fri Feb 01 11:35:23 -0800 2008 3355920 71215 mlgb 1 3356237 How about a lasagna? Popular, reheats well at work, and not expensive if you don't load it with expensive ingredients. Add a little flavor and eye appeal with spinach and roasted garlic, and you have a cheapie winner. Fri Feb 01 11:39:15 -0800 2008 3355920 10023 Professor Salt 1 3356339 Vegetarian Chili - couple cans of beans (4 - 5 bucks, tops), 1 can of tomatoes (another buck or so), some beer, some spices - you're done. Throw in some buns - that should win you some points for the attention to detail. You can wow them by bringing 'artisan' style breads, or use different beans to make it interesting. Practical, filling, tastes good ... cheap. Fri Feb 01 12:06:31 -0800 2008 3355920 160411 morefuuud 1 3356351 People love my Greek Pasta.Get yourself some spaghetti,feta cheese,kalamati (sp)olives,tomatoes chopped in small pieces,garlic,olive oil,salt and pepper maybe some basil.Heat the ingredients-pour over pasta.Its good and cheap. Fri Feb 01 12:09:31 -0800 2008 3355920 147559 potofood 2 3356389 Thanks for the suggestions! I am thinking along the lines of some sort of bake or something in the crock pot..since she goes to work at 8am..and it will needed to be reheated or kept warm until lunch! Fri Feb 01 12:18:33 -0800 2008 3356351 162585 vmd1123 3 3357732 then i vote for chili mac. this should get you started... http://www.recipezaar.com/274544 http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/recs/56/Jims_Chili_Mac37052.shtml http://crockpot.cdkitchen.com/recipes/recs/56/Chili_Mac_n_Cheese55849.shtml but if it's your GF's deal, why isn't she footing the bill for the groceries...particularly since you're doing all the work? man, she's good ;) Fri Feb 01 20:44:47 -0800 2008 3356389 103920 goodhealthgourmet 1 3357285 pulled pork-i do it in the crock pot, use a big hunk of pork, salt and liquid smoke. Easy and cheap Fri Feb 01 17:22:59 -0800 2008 3355920 77080 justagthing 1 3357415 Make a tamale pie. Assuming your pantry's stocked, it's super cheap. (If you need to buy stuff, you can use Jiffy mix for the topping.) Fri Feb 01 18:14:27 -0800 2008 3355920 10681 piccola 1 3357460 baked ziti with tomato sauce, mozzarella and ricotta. Bring extra sauce and a fresh loaf of Italian bread from the grocery that she can pick up on the way to work...you can do half sweet sausage and have ground beef, or add cubed pepperoni if you are so motivated. Fri Feb 01 18:38:45 -0800 2008 3355920 122195 mrsbuffer 1 3357721 Baked potato soup? Never made it, but how bad could potatoes, bacon and sour cream in soup form be! Once warmed in the micro, it ought to keep in a crock pot. Or potato-corn soup (also with bacon). Fri Feb 01 20:41:17 -0800 2008 3355920 84890 nemo 1 3365362 what did you make? Mon Feb 04 18:31:03 -0800 2008 3355920 147559 potofood