Many of us have experienced the pressure of having to prepare food for a large group. Imagine you’re spending the day with your whole family. Perhaps out-of-town guests have arrived, and you need to figure out how to feed everyone. Maybe you need a lot of food for a graduation party, baby shower, or wedding.
There are a few paths forward in this kind of situation. If you’re feeling brave, you can try to feed them all yourself. You can all drive to a restaurant everyone likes, if they’re willing to pay for it. But what should you do if neither of those seems to work? Can anyone say… pizza party!
Pizza for everyone is the obvious solution. Pizza is one of the few foods that can be easily altered to suit a wide variety of tastes and preferences. Due to this, it is a popular choice amongst people of all backgrounds and ages. Artisan pizza is great for feeding a large group because you can customize it. A flavorful butter chicken pizza can be found at some pizzerias. Most pizza joints also offer door-to-door delivery, so you won’t have to interrupt your party to go pick it up.
Ordering enough pizza for a party
If you’ve only ever ordered artisan pizza for one or two people, then ordering for a large group can be a bit of a challenge. Is there a way to estimate how much artisan pizza will be needed for a large gathering? Which toppings would make everyone happy? How do you get cheap pizza for a big party?
Using the 3/8 rule is a safe bet if you want to avoid ordering too little or too much pizza for a party. Just multiply the number of attendees by 3/8 (0.375). However, there are always exceptions to the rule. Our list of suggestions for ordering artisan pizza for a group will answer these and other related questions.
Methods for Estimating Pizza for a Party
This may be a very scary inquiry for you. Do not various factors enter into consideration? There are a few things you need to think about:
- How big is your group, exactly?
- How many of them are actually young people?
- Is it true that some of them will only have one serving?
- How many people can you really count on to devour slice after slice?
When ordering artisan pizza for a large group, it’s important to keep all of these things in mind. Fortunately, elementary math can provide a fairly accurate answer.
The math behind enough pizza for a party
We’ve already established that the 3/8 rule is the most straightforward method for estimating how much pizza you’ll need for a group. The rationale behind that regulation is as follows. Except when specified otherwise, a large pizza is typically divided into eight servings. This means that there is 1/8 of the pizza in each slice. To determine how much pizza to order for a party, just multiply the number of guests by 3/8 (0.375), as a hungry person will typically consume three slices. Depending on the answer, that’s how many pizzas you’ll want to order for the party.
You should always round up to the nearest whole number if the result is not already there. And remember, whenever possible, round up rather than down. In any situation, the excess is preferable to scarcity. After all, the flavor won’t change much overnight. And you’ll have enough pizza for your party, whatever the size.
The equation can, of course, be adjusted slightly to suit the situation. Like if you expect guests to eat four slices on average. It can increase even more if they are teenage boys or otherwise have a hearty appetite. Just change the numbers to make it work for your pizza party.
But, come on, it’s tough to pay attention in math class when you’re starving.
If we have 5, 10, 15, 20, or 25 people for pizza, how many should we order?
The 3/8 rule is the most reliable method for determining how much pizza to order for a party. On average, a pizza will have eight slices. And plan on serving three slices per guest. Always use whole numbers and adjust your order accordingly for the size of your party by rounding up or down. According to this guideline, the number of pizzas you should order is determined by the total number of people that you plan to feed.
- In order to feed a group of 5 people, you will need two pizzas, with 15 slices for the group.
- If there are 10 people, you should order four pizzas because they will probably eat 30 slices.
- For a group of 15, six pizzas will suffice to provide 45 individual slices.
- Assuming each guest consumes an average of three slices, eight pizzas should be ordered for a group of 20. This will provide 60 slices.
- If there will be 25 people at your party and they will share 75 slices of pizza, you will need to order ten pizzas.
The number of pizzas you need to order for your gathering will vary depending on the pie sizes you choose.
Differences Between Orders for Adults and Children
For the most part, a large pizza will feed two adults and two children. If you choose a thinner crust or smaller pie, order four slices per adult and two per child. Take your family’s eating habits into account when placing an order for them. Do your children devour multiple slices, or are they satisfied with one? It’s highly unlikely that a group of kids will eat all three of their pizza slices in one sitting. A typical child will eat 1-2 slices. So make sure to consider this when ordering pizza for a party.
Picking your pizza toppings for a party
Toppings on pizza, made in a fine Pizza Oven, seem to be the one thing on which no one can ever agree upon. Particularly pineapple on pizza, which almost always sparks a big debate. Even classics like mushroom pizza and olives can be divisive. What kinds of pizza should you get so that there’s something for everyone at your party?
Determine upfront if any of your invitees have to adhere to special diets. Is there anyone who can’t eat certain foods? Is anyone vegetarian or gluten-free? If so, buy them a small or half a pizza. Accidental eating won’t happen.
Many pizzerias have a wide variety of options for diners. It’s a good idea to find out what people like and don’t like to eat, if possible. For those who aren’t adventurous eaters, a cheese pizza recipe is always a safe bet. In the United States, pepperoni, sausage, and mushrooms are the top three toppings. You can order half toppings to maximize exposure. Or order a simple Margherita pizza for something traditional.
Once that’s settled, read on the following tip when going for Pizza toppings.
Take a Vote on the Whole.
Inquire as to the preferences of your visitors. Many visitors will politely respond, “Anything is fine with me.” Some guests will dislike a topping(s) for consideration.
Asking partygoers for their pizza preferences ensures you have enough variety at your party. However, there will be times when your group is too sizable to conduct individual polls. Here are the most popular pizza toppings in the US to help you decide:
- Approximately 36% of the pizza recipes contain pepperoni.
- 14% sausage
- 11% mushroom’s
- 7% chicken
- 4% beef
- 3% onions
- 3% olives
- The percentages of peppers, tomatoes, and anchovies are 2% each.
It’s clear that pepperoni, sausage, and mushrooms are some of America’s favorite pizza add-ons. However don’t assume that something with the most votes is the best option for your group. Maybe some like Hawaiian pizza. And others like some spice like a chicken tikka pizza. Mix things up, especially for other foodies you may have at your pizza party.
Though not particularly popular, a cheese pizza recipe is a safe bet when feeding a large group. It’s because most people will settle for cheese if they don’t care for any of the other toppings.
Ordering pizza FAQ
How many mouths can a small, 10” pizza feed?
Around four slices make up a typical small pizza. Therefore, one adult or two children can share a small pizza. Small pizzas are great for saving a special topping, or perhaps a cauliflower crust for someone.
How many people can a medium, 12” pizza feed?
A medium pizza usually has 6 slices, which is enough for 2 adults or 3 children. You can’t go wrong ordering a medium pizza or two for pizza night with your partner or family. If you’re hosting a large group, order a large cheese and pepperoni pizza and a medium with your own toppings.
If i order a large 14” or XL 16-18” pizza, how many people will it feed?
The average number of slices in a large pizza is eight, while an XL pizza has around ten. A large pizza can feed two adults and four kids, since most adults eat three slices per meal. Three adults and five kids could share an extra-large pizza. Larger portions of popular toppings are always a good idea.
To what extent does pizza type affect ordering pizza for a party?
One overlooked aspect of pizza ordering is the pizza recipe style. If you stick to a pizza recipe style that fills you up longer, you and your guests may need fewer slices. If you pile on the toppings or make the crust thick, some guests may only need one or two slices. Thin crust pizzas aren’t very filling, so you’ll need to order more than usual. You should order a little less of the deep dish or other thick crust pizzas.
