We use crystal litter and a high sided tray for our cat Finn, which works well and he doesn't spread it too far (usually just the laundry).

He is an indoor cat though, so his food requirements are a lot less, he does well with just a bowl of dry food every night but enough so he takes the next day to eat it as he wants to. Definitely make sure you have plenty of water available (Finn has his bowl but for some reason prefers to lick the floor of the shower after we get out in the morning, the weirdo).

Have you thought about keeping him indoors though? Reason I ask is that cats are natural hunters, which is bad for any native wildlife in the area and male cats (even desexed) can get territorial. Which may result in some hefty vet bills from him getting into fights with other cats in the area, or the danger of him running across the road at the wrong time.