Can I run something past you guys..

For DS's baptism mid-September, I was planning on having a pasta party. Guest list turned into 45. So I'm assuming no more than 40 will come, but who knows..

Well I was going to have bowls of pasta and separate bowls of sauce.

Apps:
Veggies and cheese platter
Pepperoni and crackers
Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Olive Tapanade

Pasta:
Penne
Tortelini
Angel Hair
Pumpkin Ravioli (I'll prob have it in it's own sauce)

Sauce:
Vodka
Alfredo
Pesto
Bolognese

Eggplant Rolitini
Sausage and peppers
Meatballs

Salad
Italian bread

What do you think? Comments? Suggestions? Advice?

Thanks in advance gals!

Re: Can I run something past you guys..

Honestly, while it sounds delicious, that's a lot of pasta.

I would do 1 type of pasta and 2 different types of sauce people could add themselves.
I would do some sort of chicken and leave the meatballs and your second meat. Then 2 veggies and a salad.

Re: Can I run something past you guys..

I think it sounds good, but will you have kids as guests too? If so, those pastas aren't the easiest for them to eat - maybe sub penne for elbows or something else small if you are going to have kids. I would also have a plain marinara for them too just in case.

Re: Can I run something past you guys..

I like the pasta buffet idea. Its fun. Maybe have some sort of primavera option as well? Like veggies in garlic and oil so if someone doesn't want a sauce, they can have that. Or people can have it as a side. And maybe have a couple add ins such as grilled chicken slices, meatbnalls (wich you have already), and shrimp or something like that.

Message edited 8/7/2012 10:33:25 AM.

Re: Can I run something past you guys..

I LOVE pasta (unfortunately lol) so sounds great but my thoughts:

Since you will have meatballs maybe just do a plain red sauce as opposed to the bolognese (also better for most kids).

Add something a bit lighter like some grilled veggies (zucchini, asparagus, yellow squash etc)

Just an idea. Have fun!

Can I run something past you guys..

Personally I think the menu is perfect as is. Since you are already making bolognese maybe set aside some place sauce just in case for picky eaters. Most kids will eat alfredo or worse case scenario pasta with butter. I think the types of pasta are perfect, not to much either IMO, I think it's fun to have a selection especially since in my family certain sauces only go with certain pastas. Just make sure you shock the pastas when they come out of the pots with cold water so they dont keep cooking and put a little olive oil on them so they don't get sticky.

Re: Can I run something past you guys..

Personally, I think angel hair can be messy to eat at a party. I would skip that.

Re: Can I run something past you guys..

I think it sounds great and is a fun idea.

I do agree that maybe doing a plain marinara instead of the bolognese would be good, since you are having meats (meatballs, sausage, etc.) to accompany the pasta. And plain red sauce is always safe.

I also agree that angel hair is messy and hard to eat at a party, so I would opt for things you can spear with a fork (sub in bowties or something).

Just a thought about logistics: Are you making everything yourself? If so, you will be boiling lots of pots on the stove top in the middle of your party. Instead of doing all boiled pasta with separate sauces, would it be easier to do a few make ahead pasta dishes (and then maybe have one type of plain pasta made fresh with a couple of different sauce options)? I am thinking either baked things (lasagna, baked ziti, mac and cheese) or a cold pasta salad (something with veggies in a vinagrette, maybe)? Like maybe instead of doing the pumpkin ravioli, do a butternut squash lasagna (Giada DeLaurentiis has a great recipe).

Re: Can I run something past you guys..

you need red sauce! pass on the bolgnese and have red sauce with meatballs as a side.

Can I run something past you guys..

I would replace the angel hair with bowtie pasta or even knocchi! I agree to just make plain red sauce instead of bolognese.

Re: Can I run something past you guys..

Can I run something past you guys..

I had 40 people for DS baptism and half that amount of food and still had tons left over.

Re: Can I run something past you guys..

I think that sounds good, but a lot of pasta. What about some veggies to add to the pasta bar? That's more waist-friendly, too, for the people who are weight conscious.

Re: Can I run something past you guys..

If you have the pasta sitting out separate from the sauce won't it get gummy?

Can I run something past you guys..

i think you have a lot of pasta...i would stick with two types and then have a few different sauce options

i would def drop the angel hair, its way to messy to eat esp if guests are standing and eating

Can I run something past you guys..

Thanks gals!
As far as kiddies, only a few and they're very close family, so I know they eat this stuff.
As far as gummy pasta, I'm hoping a lil evoo will help keep it fresh.
As far as veggies, I thought about it.. But I'll have a veggie platter.
As far as the amount of food, I'm infamous among my family and friends for my gluttony. lol

I may substitute the meatballs for chicken francais.

I may get a hero..?..

Desserts:

Tres leche cake
Pumpkin bread
Reeses pieces cupcakes
And I really want to make fresh sfingi the morning of

I know this is going to be a LOT of work.. IDK WTF is wrong with me! I'm asking for it!

Message edited 8/9/2012 11:21:13 PM.

Re: Can I run something past you guys..

Posted by MrsCampos10-01-10

Thanks gals!
As far as kiddies, only a few and they're very close family, so I know they eat this stuff.
As far as gummy pasta, I'm hoping a lil evoo will help keep it fresh.
As far as veggies, I thought about it.. But I'll have a veggie platter.
As far as the amount of food, I'm infamous among my family and friends for my gluttony. lol

I may substitute the meatballs for chicken francais.

I may get a hero..?..

Desserts:

Tres leche cake
Pumpkin bread
Reeses pieces cupcakes
And I really want to make fresh sfingi the morning of

I know this is going to be a LOT of work.. IDK WTF is wrong with me! I'm asking for it!

Re: Can I run something past you guys..

Posted by jkfris09

Posted by MrsCampos10-01-10

Thanks gals!
As far as kiddies, only a few and they're very close family, so I know they eat this stuff.
As far as gummy pasta, I'm hoping a lil evoo will help keep it fresh.
As far as veggies, I thought about it.. But I'll have a veggie platter.
As far as the amount of food, I'm infamous among my family and friends for my gluttony. lol

I may substitute the meatballs for chicken francais.

I may get a hero..?..

Desserts:

Tres leche cake
Pumpkin bread
Reeses pieces cupcakes
And I really want to make fresh sfingi the morning of

I know this is going to be a LOT of work.. IDK WTF is wrong with me! I'm asking for it!

If you know what people like then stick with what you're doing, you know you're family better than anyone.

It's a lot but not crazy, but sticking with the meatballs will probably be less work than the chicken.

You probably don't need the hero and could do with just loaves of Italian bread. However I know that coming from the way we cook too we could easily end up with a hero too.

All the desserts you could do ahead of time so no biggie and as for the sfingi go for it! We were the crazies on Christmas cooking appetizers to order bc DH wanted them super fresh!

Can I run something past you guys..

I think if you get a hero as well then that's perfect