5 Quick and Easy Church Luncheon Recipes That Taste Great – and Won’t Break the Bank!

Feed a crowd without breaking the bank! Check out these 5 quick and easy church luncheon recipes that are budget-friendly and crowd-approved! 🌐 #News #Lifestyle #Food #Recipes

ST. PAUL, MN – Jack and I were at a church luncheon here in Minnesota yesterday, and as usual, the food spread was incredible. But as I looked around at all the hungry folks, I couldn’t help but think: unless you’re Jesus with five loaves of bread and two fish, feeding a large crowd for cheap isn’t easy!

Luckily, I’ve found a few recipes that won’t require divine intervention to stay on budget. If you’re in charge of bringing a dish to your next church luncheon, these five recipes are affordable, easy to make, and guaranteed to keep everyone happy. Perfect for feeding a hungry crowd and still having a few bucks left in your wallet! Let’s dive into the recipes.

1. Hearty Slow-Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken Sliders

These BBQ pulled chicken sliders are always a crowd-pleaser, and they’re super easy to make. All you need is a slow cooker, some chicken thighs (which are way cheaper than breasts!), and a bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce. Toss everything into the slow cooker and let it cook on low for about 6-8 hours. Once the chicken is tender, shred it with a fork and serve it on slider buns.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs chicken thighs
• 1 bottle BBQ sauce (your favorite kind)
• 12-16 slider buns
• Optional: Coleslaw for topping

Steps:

1. Place chicken thighs in a slow cooker.
2. Pour BBQ sauce over the chicken, making sure each piece is coated.
3. Cook on low for 6-8 hours until the chicken is tender.
4. Shred the chicken with two forks and mix it with the sauce in the slow cooker.
5. Serve on slider buns. Add coleslaw if desired.

Cost-saving tip: Buying chicken thighs in bulk and using store-brand BBQ sauce can save you even more money. Plus, these sliders can be prepped the night before—just let the slow cooker do all the work while you sleep!

Bonus: Perfect for feeding a large group, and everyone loves the bite-sized portions.

2. Pasta Salad with Fresh Veggies and Zesty Italian Dressing

Pasta salad is a go-to for any gathering, especially when you need to make a big batch without spending much. For this dish, you can use rotini or any other budget-friendly pasta. Add in fresh veggies like cucumbers, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes, and toss everything together with a zesty Italian dressing.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb rotini pasta
• 1 cucumber, diced
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
• 1 cup Italian dressing (store-bought or homemade)
• Optional: Grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
2. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, diced vegetables, and olives.
3. Toss with Italian dressing until everything is evenly coated.
4. Chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour before serving.
5. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese before serving if desired.

Cost-saving tip: Use seasonal vegetables or whatever you have in the fridge to save on costs. Pasta is always cheap, and the dressing can be store-bought or homemade with a few pantry staples.

Bonus: This salad is great because it can be served cold, making it ideal for church luncheons where food sits out for a bit. Plus, you can easily make it the day before!

3. Deviled Egg Platter with a Twist

No church luncheon is complete without a platter of deviled eggs. This recipe puts a fun twist on the classic by adding ingredients like bacon bits or a bit of avocado to the filling. Eggs are incredibly inexpensive, making this a smart choice when you’re feeding a crowd.

Ingredients:

• 12 large eggs
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tsp mustard
• 1 tbsp vinegar
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Optional: Bacon bits, diced avocado, or paprika for garnish

Steps:

1. Place the eggs in a pot of cold water and bring to a boil. Once boiling, turn off the heat and let sit for 10 minutes.
2. Transfer the eggs to a bowl of ice water and let cool.
3. Peel the eggs, then slice them in half lengthwise and remove the yolks.
4. In a small bowl, mash the yolks with mayonnaise, mustard, and vinegar. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Fill the egg whites with the yolk mixture.
6. Garnish with bacon bits, avocado, or a sprinkle of paprika if desired.

Cost-saving tip: Eggs are usually on sale, and adding bulkier ingredients like bacon or avocado can stretch the filling further. You can make them in bulk without worrying about blowing your budget.

Bonus: These deviled eggs are easy to transport, and they’re always a hit. There’s never a single one left by the end of the event!

4. Baked Macaroni and Cheese Casserole

Who doesn’t love a good mac and cheese casserole? This comfort food classic is easy to make, and even easier on your wallet. Using a mix of cheddar and Velveeta gives it a creamy texture, while breadcrumbs on top add a nice crunch. Just mix your cooked pasta with the cheese sauce, toss it in a baking dish, and let it bake until bubbly.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb elbow macaroni
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup Velveeta cheese, cubed
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Cook the macaroni according to package directions, then drain.
3. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour to form a roux.
4. Gradually whisk in milk, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens.
5. Add the shredded cheddar and Velveeta, stirring until melted and smooth.
6. Combine the cheese sauce with the cooked macaroni and transfer to a greased baking dish.
7. Sprinkle breadcrumbs on top and bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.

Cost-saving tip: Velveeta may not be gourmet, but it’s affordable and creates a creamy consistency without using heavy cream or expensive cheeses. Perfect for large gatherings!

Bonus: Mac and cheese casseroles are super filling, meaning a little bit goes a long way when feeding a crowd. This dish is sure to satisfy without emptying your wallet.

5. No-Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars

Need a dessert that’s easy, cheap, and guaranteed to disappear fast? These no-bake peanut butter chocolate bars are just what you need. Made with pantry staples like peanut butter, chocolate chips, and graham crackers, these bars come together in no time. Simply mix, layer, and refrigerate until firm.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 cup chocolate chips

Steps:

1. In a large bowl, mix together peanut butter, melted butter, graham cracker crumbs, and powdered sugar until smooth.
2. Press the mixture into the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch pan.
3. Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth.
4. Spread the melted chocolate over the peanut butter mixture.
5. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour until firm. Cut into squares and serve.

Cost-saving tip: All of the ingredients are inexpensive and easy to find. You probably already have most of them in your pantry!

Bonus: Since these bars require no baking, they’re perfect for summer church luncheons when you want to avoid heating up the kitchen. And trust me, they’re always a hit with both kids and adults.

Budget-Friendly Recipes That Bring Everyone Together

Church luncheons are about community and sharing, and with these five budget-friendly recipes, you won’t have to spend a fortune to contribute. These dishes are easy to make, easy on the wallet, and guaranteed to make your next gathering a hit.

Next time you’re planning what to bring, give one of these recipes a try. You might just become the star of the luncheon! Got any tried-and-true recipes for church gatherings? I’d love to hear about them—share your favorites in the comments below!

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