In a week I’m going to be invaded upon by my sis and her family (five in total) for two weeks.
I will be working all day so I’m trying to do some pre planning for meals while they are here so that I dont spend my life cooking. Any ideas, other than lasagne on meals I could pre make and freeze, then just add fresh veggies or salad to make it easier?
Anyone have a spare bedroom they want to share with me? 
We are, each of us angels with only one wing,and we can only fly by embracing one another
Well Suzie…if you have a crock pot you can fix your main dish in it such as beef stew or chicken with mushroom gravy. It can cook all day while you are at work.
Get your sis to do the cooking! (or her hubby)
How about spaghetti? Make a big pot of spaghetti sauce beforehand.
“I thought: opera, how hard can it be? Songs. Pretty girls dancing. Nice scenery. Lots of people handing over cash. Got to be better than the cut-throat world of yoghurt, I thought.” - Seldom Bucket
Not exactly on target to your original question, but if your family is visiting for two weeks, I think that qualifies for letting them fix dinner a few times so it’s waiting for you when you get home. They can do their own laundry, too.
I myself have great luck with Crockpot recipies. In fact, I personally believe that anything you can cook in an oven, you can cook in a Crockpot, if you can shove it in there.
I come from a fairly huge extended family, and it sometimes seems like a hotel around here for months at a time. After many years of playing gracious host at the expense of my nerve endings, I finally decided to turn things around.
You’d be amazed how quickly people become self-sufficient when you empty the pantry in anticipation of their visit, and come home from work empty-handed, asking innocently, “So, what did you guys plan for dinner?”
Dr. Watson
“Mankind is divisible into two great classes: hosts and guests.” – Max Beerbohm
First, I would echo the sentiment about them helping themselves from time to time, but what I’ve done to feed alot of people with a little money is making a big pot of chili. Then switch off with adding a salad on some nights, then garlic bread on other nights. I’ve even split older hamburger buns lightly buttered them and fried them in a frying pan, and sprinkled garlic powder on them, CALLING it garlic bread!
Don’t forget the ever popular, make your own pizza, use English muffins with the pizza sauce, it’s a cheap dinner, and it’s kinda fun too.
Try to have fun yourself, make that a goal rather than running yourself to pieces waiting on everyone too.
“Consider it a challenge…”
I have lots of recipes for “feed-a-bunch” casseroles, etc. that can be made ahead and frozen. I’ be hapy to send you some. Any tips on food preferences? e.g. anyone hate enchiladas, spinach, etc? And do you have a crock pot?
Warning: some of 'em are anything but fancy, but they won’t bankrupt you and are geared toward potluck type things.
Inquiring minds want to know!
Veb
Sorry, when I had this house built I ask for one without a kitchen!!! But boy can I open a can…
Girlbysea (AKA: ChiefScott’s GBS)
Thanks guys… I would love some recipes!! If you dont mind emailing them that would be great!!
Actually my sis is pretty good. Although she doesnt cook, she will make sure that the house is clean and put back together by the time I get home and in between shopping trips will even throw a load of laundry in for me.
Her one daughter is a picky eater but I’ve learned to just go with the majority and if all else fails, she will live on peanut butter. With seven of us, there is no way I’m cooking more than one meal.
We are, each of us angels with only one wing,and we can only fly by embracing one another
The hell with them.
If they can’t shift for themselves, let the freeloaders starve.
We now return you to Martha Stewart’s Recipe Corner.