what do you serve on a pasta bar

What do you put in a pasta bar?

Easy entertaining with a pasta bar: Choose from fresh roasted vegetables, a hearty Italian sausage meat sauce or a two-cheese Alfredo sauce to top your plate of pasta. What does this mean? When you see this badge, you know it will be good!

What to serve with pasta?

Salads are a perfect pairing with any type of pasta dish. Consider providing either a fresh garden salad, a Caesar, or antipasta. Garlic bread, rolls, or artisan loaves are also a lovely addition for sopping up sauce or served with a light drizzle of olive oil.

What is a pasta bar?

Pasta bars are an easy, fun, and entertaining way to feed your party guests. Here are some great tips to help you execute this DIY spread! Learn how to pull off these creative pasta bar ideas for your next party! Tantillo Foods offers all of the ingredients necessary to put together a fantastic pasta bar. Shop our products now!

Is a pasta bar the best way to entertain your guests?

But of the two, entertaining with a pasta bar is the easiest, mostly because you can prepare almost everything in advance. And, whether your guests are healthy or not, gluten free, vegan or Paleo, there’s something for everyone. Building your own pasta bar is so much fun and perfect for company.

What toppings go good with pasta?

Pasta dish ideas including Lemon, Basil and Mascarpone, Quick Chicken Alfredo, White Wine, Mushroom and Cream, White Bean Sauce, Bacon and Scallions, Tuna and Capers, Lemon Artichoke Pesto, Smoked Salmon And Capers, and Caprese.

How do you put a pasta bar together?

How to Make DIY Pasta BarCook your pastas. Toss each variety in oil and place in their own bowls.Place varieties of sauces, cheeses, meats, and veggies in their own bowls.Place all the bowls on a table or bar. Let each person serve themselves.

How do you serve pasta at a buffet?

Use a Chafing Dish Just like you see at a wedding or a buffet. While the chafing dish ensures that your pasta will stay hot for a long time, it can also dry the pasta out and cause sticking if there's no water reservoir between the food and the heat source. (This steams the food so it stays both warm and moist.)

How do you keep pasta good for a pasta bar?

Leave pasta firm or slightly undercooked when planning to keep it warm for a pasta bar. You want the pasta to reach its ideal texture after cooking it. Strain the pasta before transferring it to a hot plate or chafing dish. Rinse the strained pasta with cold water to keep it from becoming sticky.

How do you keep pasta warm for a crowd?

Here's how to keep pasta warm for a crowd.Use a Slow Cooker. Setting it and forgetting it is the most hands-off method. ... Use the Double Boiler Method. Fill a large pan or pot halfway with water and bring it to a simmer. ... Use a Chafing Dish. Just like you see at a wedding or a buffet.

How do you serve pasta at a dinner party?

To serve, set the pastas on a buffet or table with the salad, sides and breads. You can also include small bowls of additional toppings: fried sage leaves, breadcrumbs, chopped herbs, red pepper flakes and cheeses.

How much pasta do you need for a party?

Typically, 2 ounces of pasta (56 grams) per person is a good rule of thumb to follow when you're figuring out how much pasta per person.

How much pasta is needed for a crowd?

How to use this food quantity chart:Food TypeApproximate Amount for 50 ServingsServing Size Per PersonPasta, as side dish, spaghetti, macaroni, noodles4-5 16 oz. pkgs.1/2 cup, cookedRice, uncooked3-4 lbs1/2 cup, cookedBeans, canned8-12 15.5 ounce cans1/2 cupDairy93 more rows

How do you serve pasta?

0:172:09How To Plate Pasta With Giada De Laurentiis - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd you twirl the bestit or the pasta twirl the pasta. And lift it up use the spoon to help youMoreAnd you twirl the bestit or the pasta twirl the pasta. And lift it up use the spoon to help you transfer it to the bowl just like this in the center.

How do you keep pasta warm without overcooking it?

Place the pasta in an oven-safe pan or bowl. Cover the pasta with aluminum foil then set the oven to the lowest temperature, or 220 °F (104 °C). If the heat gets up to 225 °F (107 °C), turn the heat off so the food can stay warm in the residual heat without overcooking.

Can you make pasta ahead of time?

More pasta. According to senior food editor Rick Martinez, you can cook your penne or gemelli or bucatini up to 48 hours before you want to serve it, but really, any time that day is fine.

How do you serve spaghetti at a party?

The ingredients for a memorable and fun spaghetti dinner party are simple: make a big batch of spaghetti, add in a crusty loaf of your favorite bakery-bought bread, put out a bit of olive oil, salt, and pepper (for dipping), and throw in a salad.

How much pasta do you need for a party?

Typically, 2 ounces of pasta (56 grams) per person is a good rule of thumb to follow when you're figuring out how much pasta per person.

How do you keep cooked pasta from sticking?

How to prevent pasta noodles from sticking togetherMake sure your water is boiling before you add your noodles.Stir your pasta. A lot.DO NOT add oil to your pasta if you plan on eating it with sauce.Rinse your cooked pasta with water — but only if you're not eating it right away.

How do you host a team dinner?

Set up extra tables in entryways or hallways, don't be afraid to squeeze more chairs around the table than you would at a Sunday family dinner, or set up multiple areas where the swimmers can gather in groups. Ask families if they have folding tables or chairs to bring. Now, on to 4 easy team dinner ideas.

Italian Pasta Bar Ideas

Setting up the pasta bar was easy and fun! I found everything I needed to set a beautiful table at my local Walmart store. I love the cute pasta bowls and serving dishes, and they were all very reasonably priced. The drink dispenser is so fun, too!

Pasta

Having a variety of pasta shapes makes things more fun and interesting! We used Sam’s Choice Italia rigatoni, penne, and spaghetti, and cooked them according to the package directions. To prevent the pasta from sticking, I drizzled it with a little olive oil just after cooking and tossed it lightly to distribute the oil.

Sauce

To top our pasta, we used two of our favorite sauces: classic basil pesto, and tomato basil pasta sauce. I warmed them in a saucepan on the stove, then poured them into my serving dishes. The tomato basil pasta sauce is a family favorite! It’s made with 100% Italian olive oil, and fresh Italian cherry tomatoes.

Pasta Bar Toppings

I wanted to keep things simple, so I just set out grated parmesan cheese, chopped fresh tomatoes, and chopped fresh basil. The sky’s the limit, though! Some of our other favorite toppings are chopped olives, meatballs, sausage, grilled chicken, and steamed vegetables. You can make it as complicated or simple as you like!

Drinks

Again, I kept things simple with ice water with lemon. Adding cute striped paper straws made it extra fun! If you want the drinks to be a little fancier, you could serve sparkling water, lemonade, punch, or even Italian sodas. (<<<Cute printables available on that link!)

Putting it all together

Once you have your Italian pasta bar set up, the possibilities are endless! It’s so fun to let everyone assemble their bowl of pasta to their own unique taste. My kids absolutely loved the rigatoni with tomato basil pasta sauce, and a sprinkle of parmesan and fresh basil.

Pasta Bar

Get ready to host a fun and delicious dinner party at home with this easy Italian pasta bar!

How to Make DIY Pasta Bar

Cook your pastas. Toss each variety in oil and place in their own bowls.

Tips & Tricks for DIY Pasta Bar

Make sure to cook your pasta as directed on the package. When your pasta is cooke al dente, remove from heat, drain, and lightly toss the pasta in olive oil. This will prevent the cooked pasta from sticking together.

Variations to DIY Pasta Bar

If you can't have gluten, just cook up some gluten-free noodles for your pasta bar. This is a simple swap! Just cook your gluten-free noodles as directed on the package.

DIY Pasta Bar FAQs

A pasta bar is like a pasta buffet with lots of toppings to choose from. It's a creative way to ensure each person can enjoy a pasta dish that he or she loves!

DIY Pasta Bar

Throw together this DIY Pasta Bar for a weeknight dinner or fancy get-together. Build your own pasta station with fun toppings!

1. Balsamic bruschetta

Bruschetta is a classic Italian bread that’s great as an appetizer, snack and side dish. This simple side dish is elevated to divinity with the help of balsamic vinegar. It gives the bread a nice, refreshing kick of flavor and helps you pair it with delicious pasta dishes.

2. Prosciutto-wrapped asparagus

What’s not to love about a crunchy veggie wrapped in a creamy, thin slice of divine meat? Absolutely nothing! You can pair this mouthwatering side with innumerable pasta dishes. You can wrap the prosciutto around the asparagus with a toothpick for an elegant look.

3. Mint and pea pesto on toasted baguette

Toasted baguette slices topped with a homemade pesto dip featuring basil, mint, and green peas inarguably create one of the best sides for pasta. After all, the refreshing pesto and the crunchy baguette are undeniably killer combination.

4. Italian bruschetta bar

This side dish is truly a work of art. If you love cheeseboards, you’ll surely love this creative take on them. Your customizable bruschetta bar can include prosciutto, tiny cornichon pickles, olive tapenade, sun-dried tomatoes, crusty grilled bread, and herb cheeses.

5. Cheese and cauliflower breadsticks

Are you still wondering what to serve with pasta? Try cauliflower and cheese breadsticks! These creamy yet crunchy breadsticks are full of delicious parmesan and mozzarella. You can pair them with savory pasta dishes.

6. Stuffed tomatoes

Stuff some tomatoes with a generous helping of garlic, herbs, and bread crumbs for a delightful savory Tuscan side dish that will go deliciously well with pasta dishes.

7. Cucumber salad

Are you looking for refreshing sides for pasta? Try this citrusy and refreshing cucumber salad. This salad features cucumbers, red onion, dill, olives, lemon juice, garlic, yogurt vinaigrette, and za’atar.

Roasted Eggplant Spread

Black pepper and garlic perk up this out-of-the-ordinary spread that hits the spot on a crisp cracker or toasted bread slice. —Barbara McCalley, Allison Park, Pennsylvania.

Penne alla Vodka

This easy and impressive pasta is always on the menu when my husband and I have new friends over for dinner. Years later, they've asked me to make this Penne alla Vodka recipe again. —Cara Langer, Overland Park, Kansas Get Recipe Looking for something a little lighter? Try these healthy pasta sauce recipes.

Italian Honey Clusters

My mother made these treats flavored with cinnamon and anise for neighbors, teachers and anyone who stopped by. Make sure the honey doesn’t boil longer than a minute or it could burn.—Sarah Knoblock, Hyde Park, Indiana

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Amanda Kippert has been an award-winning freelance journalist for nearly two decades. She is based in Tucson, Arizona and specializes in food, health, fitness, parenting and humor, as well as social issues. She is the content editor of the domestic violence nonprofit DomesticShelters.org.

Crisp and Crunchy Salads

A big green salad is a classic pasta side dish. Something as simple as arugula tossed with lemon juice and olive oil is a great choice, as is a traditional Caesar. Or forgo the greens altogether and opt for a crisp cucumber or juicy tomato salad.

Warm Salads

What you pair with pasta doesn’t always have to be served cold. A salad made warm by tossing it in a heated dressing or roasting the vegetables is an unexpected twist we love leaning into.

Other Satisfying Cooked Sides

Or simply serve a platter of cooked veggies. Whether it’s sautéed spinach, braised kale, or roasted asparagus, it’s a wholesome addition to the table.