Potluck!

[vmd1123]

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!

[potofood]

what did you make?

[nemo]

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).

[mrsbuffer]

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.

[piccola]

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.)

[justagthing]

pulled pork-i do it in the crock pot, use a big hunk of pork, salt and liquid smoke. Easy and cheap

[potofood]

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.

[vmd1123]

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!

[goodhealthgourmet]

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...

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 ;)

[morefuuud]

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.

[Professor Salt]

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.

[mlgb]

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.