How many pounds of macaroni salad for 170 people?

It's impossible to say exactly how much macaroni salad you'll need for 170 people without more information! Here's why:

* Appetizer vs. Main Course: Is the macaroni salad a side dish or the main event? People will eat more if it's the main course.

* Other Food Options: Are there other sides or main dishes? If so, people may eat less macaroni salad.

* Individual Appetite: Some people eat more than others.

* Serving Size: How much macaroni salad do you plan to serve per person?

Here's a general guideline:

* Side Dish: Plan for about 1/2 cup per person.

* Main Course: Plan for about 1 cup per person.

To calculate the amount of macaroni salad you'll need:

1. Decide on a serving size per person.

2. Multiply that amount by 170 people.

3. Convert the total amount to pounds. (There are approximately 16 cups in a pound of macaroni salad.)

Example:

Let's say you want to serve 1/2 cup of macaroni salad per person as a side dish.

* 170 people * 0.5 cups per person = 85 cups of macaroni salad needed

* 85 cups / 16 cups per pound = approximately 5.3 pounds of macaroni salad

Important: It's always better to overestimate than to run out. You can always make a smaller batch first as a test run to get a better idea of the yield.