How much food for a crowd?
Twelve adults, five kids and one uncle who always goes back for thirds. Enter who’s coming, pick what you’re serving, and get how much to cook and how many packs to buy.
Free party food calculator
- Dried pasta1.3 kgBuy 3 × 500 g packets.
- Potatoes2.5 kgBuy 2 × 2 kg bags.
The cheat sheet
| Food | Per adult (uncooked) | Common pack size |
|---|---|---|
| Dried pasta | 75–100 g | 500 g packet |
| Rice | 60–75 g | 1 kg bag |
| Couscous | 60–75 g | 500 g box |
| Mince, diced meat or chicken | 100–150 g | 500 g tray |
| Fish fillet | 120–150 g | Sold by weight |
| Potatoes | 150–200 g | 2 kg bag |
| Noodles (dried) | 75–100 g | 400 g packet |
| Lentils (dried) | 50–75 g | 500 g bag |
Dried pasta
Per adult (uncooked): 75–100 gCommon pack size: 500 g packet
Rice
Per adult (uncooked): 60–75 gCommon pack size: 1 kg bag
Couscous
Per adult (uncooked): 60–75 gCommon pack size: 500 g box
Mince, diced meat or chicken
Per adult (uncooked): 100–150 gCommon pack size: 500 g tray
Fish fillet
Per adult (uncooked): 120–150 gCommon pack size: Sold by weight
Potatoes
Per adult (uncooked): 150–200 gCommon pack size: 2 kg bag
Noodles (dried)
Per adult (uncooked): 75–100 gCommon pack size: 400 g packet
Lentils (dried)
Per adult (uncooked): 50–75 gCommon pack size: 500 g bag
Typical cooking quantities for a main meal, not dietary advice. Kids count as half an adult; the calculator uses the middle of each range, or the top for a hungry crowd. Pack sizes vary by brand and shop.
Tips for feeding a crowd
- Plan for the hungriest person at the table, not the average one. When in doubt, tick “Hungry crowd”.
- One big main, then sides. Two mains means double the cooking and double the leftovers.
- Plan the leftovers into the next day’s lunches, so nothing goes to waste.
- Ask about dietary needs when you invite, not when you serve. Always check ingredients and allergen labels.
Questions
How much meat per person for a barbecue?
Around 100–150 g of raw meat per adult for a main meal. At a barbecue, people go back for seconds, so tick “Hungry crowd”.
How do I count kids?
As half an adult. Hungry teenagers count as adults (at least).
What about a roast?
Work out the serves first, then buy the cut that covers everyone with some to spare. Ask your butcher: they do this every day.
Can My Tomte do this for me?
Yes. Add guests to a night and My Tomte scales the meal, subtracts what’s already in your kitchen and rounds the shopping list up to real packs. Try My Tomte free