Using ground beef for reception dinner

We are planning a reception for up to 300 people of all ages at a barn venue and our family and friends are going to be helping make the food. A family member wants to donate meat from a steer he raised for our use, but it's mostly ground beef. We had first thought of an Italian bar, with meatballs and such, but aren't sure how to prepare and hold pasta for that many people. We will have lots of helpers, but the kitchen for our use is in the house, not the barn. Other suggestions have been going with a taco bar, but while that sounds tasty and easy to prep, I don't love that idea for a number of reasons: the mess, number of guests, and maybe the more informal aspect of it.

I would love for anyone to weigh in on this, with opinions on the above two ideas, and any others that would use ground beef are most welcome, especially if they can be prepared ahead! Ideas for sides would be great too. We are keeping it as low budget as we can. Thank you!