Cooking for the fam - recipe suggestions?

Ok, so here's the deal.

I'm home with my parents for a few weeks. They're BIG eaters. They do make healthy choices (whole grains, low-fat choices in meat) but we're not exactly on the same page.

For me, I'd be happy with a vegetarian diet, which I think is an easy way to cut out a lot of fat and calories as long as you keep an eye on your protein intake.

They need meat though.

I'm taking over cooking duties for the week. I need some recipe ideas that will satisfy their palates but not be too heavy or calorie-dense for me.

Any family-pleasing ideas out there?

I have a few suggestions that might work for you.

Make a vegetarian casserole - whole grain, any kind of beans, any kind of vegetable, seasoned as you like and baked in a nice casserole dish.  This can be your main dish.  On the side, make a dish with meat, such as ground beef in a sauce that can be spooned onto the casserole by those who need meat.  This would work for pasta too.

Do a baked potato bar.  Bake a potato for everyone and set out side dishes of all kinds of goodies to go on the potato, including perhaps a creamed chicken or something with ground beef. 

Make a pot of vegetarian chili and serve the ground beef on the side - just brown it up and add a jar of taco sauce or some salsa.

Do vegetarian stuffed peppers or tomatoes and serve tomato meat sauce on the side.

What I'm saying is, treat the meat as if it's a condiment instead of the main event.

I have really enjoyed the recipies at www.cookinglight.com On the bottom left, there's a little section called "Dinner Tonight."  Usually the recipies are pretty simple, and very tasty! 

Cooking Light is always good.  I found some good recipes in their Quick & Easy section but I'm not sure they fill the need for vegetarian friendly dishes that carnivores will be satisfied with.  Maybe a collection of their side dishes would fill the bill.

Try "make your own" tacos or pizzas. Provide the shells (or roll out pizza dough to individual sizes) and have several toppings available ? some meats and some vegetables. Everyone can assemble their own and use the toppings they like.

Healthy Hillbilly Housewife, Low-Cost, Low Cholesterol, Low Fat, Low Calorie. Dieting on a Budget.
this is a good web site find the whole whet lasgna it is excellent my family love it and I have picky eaters 1 batch feeds the four of us and usally my husband lunch next day. I am going to be trying some recipes next week.

One of my favorite websites!  Yes, you should be able to find things that will satisfy both vegetarians and meat eaters.