10+ Pasta Recipes for Large Groups to Feed a Crowd

Cooking for large groups can be a rewarding experience, especially when it comes to pasta dishes. With the right pasta recipes, you can easily satisfy the appetites of your guests and create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Whether you are hosting a family gathering, a party with friends, or a community event, delicious pasta can be the star of the meal.

Pasta is versatile, adaptable, and loved by many. You can choose from a wide range of flavors and styles to suit different tastes, making it an ideal choice for any occasion. From creamy sauces to hearty baked dishes, there are countless ways to prepare pasta that will leave everyone feeling happy and full.

Baked Ziti with Sausage

Baked ziti with sausage is a great choice for feeding a crowd. This dish combines hearty pasta, tasty sausage, and rich cheese for a meal that’s sure to please everyone.

Start by boiling ziti pasta in salted water until it’s al dente. This usually takes about 8 minutes. While the pasta cooks, brown your sausage in a skillet. You want it to be nicely cooked through.

Once both are ready, mix the pasta with your favorite marinara sauce and the cooked sausage. Pour it all into a baking dish and top with a generous layer of cheese.

Bake your dish at 375°F (190°C) for about 25 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden. Serve it hot, and watch everyone enjoy this comforting meal.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ziti pasta
• 1 pound Italian sausage
• 4 cups marinara sauce
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Boil the ziti in salted water for about 8 minutes until al dente.
3. Brown the sausage in a skillet until fully cooked.
4. Mix the pasta, sauce, and sausage together.
5. Pour into a baking dish and sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan.
6. Bake for 25 minutes until the cheese is bubbly.

Chicken Alfredo Pasta Bake

This Chicken Alfredo Pasta Bake is a fantastic choice for feeding a crowd. It’s creamy, delicious, and easy to prepare. You can make it ahead of time and bake it right before serving.

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large pot, melt butter and add minced garlic. After it’s fragrant, mix in heavy cream and Alfredo sauce to create a rich base. Cook your pasta just until al dente.

Combine the cooked pasta with the sauce and diced chicken in a large baking dish. Sprinkle cheese on top for a tasty finish. Cover with foil and bake for about 30 minutes. Remove the foil for the last 10 minutes to get a nice golden crust.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450g) pasta
• 2 cups (480ml) Alfredo sauce
• 2 cups (480ml) heavy cream
• 2 cups (250g) cooked chicken, diced
• 1/2 cup (115g) butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup (100g) shredded cheese (mozzarella or Parmesan)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat.
3. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
4. Stir in heavy cream and Alfredo sauce.
5. Cook pasta until al dente and drain.
6. Combine pasta, sauce, and chicken in a baking dish.
7. Top with shredded cheese.
8. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
9. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes.

3) Vegetable Lasagna

Vegetable lasagna is a great dish for large groups. It is filling, nutritious, and can please a crowd. You can use a variety of vegetables to make it colorful and tasty.

Start by preparing the vegetables, like zucchini, mushrooms, and bell peppers. Cooking them first enhances their flavor. Layer the vegetables with lasagna noodles, ricotta, and mozzarella cheese.

You can include marinara sauce for extra richness. Bake at 425°F (220°C) until golden and bubbly. This dish can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge. It will last for a few days, making it perfect for meal prep.

Ingredients

• Lasagna noodles
• Ricotta cheese
• Mozzarella cheese
• Marinara sauce
• Zucchini
• Mushrooms
• Bell peppers
• Garlic
• Olive oil
• Spinach
• Parmesan cheese
• Eggs
• Nutmeg
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Sauté chopped vegetables in olive oil until tender.
3. Mix ricotta, spinach, eggs, parmesan, and spices in a bowl.
4. Layer noodles, vegetable mix, ricotta mix, and marinara sauce in a baking dish.
5. Repeat layers, ending with mozzarella on top.
6. Bake for about 30-40 minutes until bubbly.

4) Pasta Primavera

Pasta Primavera is a vibrant dish that combines pasta with fresh vegetables. It is a great choice for feeding a large group. The colorful mix of veggies makes the dish appealing and satisfying.

You can use any pasta you like, but spaghetti or penne works well. The key is to include seasonal vegetables such as bell peppers, zucchini, and carrots.

For added flavor, toss in some garlic and olive oil. You’ll find that this dish is simple to prepare in large quantities.

Serve it warm or at room temperature, and you’ll have a crowd-pleaser on your hands!

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450g) pasta (spaghetti or penne)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 1 zucchini, sliced
• 1 carrot, sliced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
3. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant.
4. Add bell pepper, zucchini, and carrot. Cook until tender.
5. Toss the cooked pasta with the vegetables. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

5) Beef Stroganoff Pasta

Beef Stroganoff pasta is a comforting dish that combines tender beef, mushrooms, and a creamy sauce over pasta. It’s perfect for feeding a crowd and can be made in one pot.

Start by cooking the pasta according to the package directions. You can use egg noodles or your favorite pasta shape. Drain and set aside.

In a large skillet, sauté onions and mushrooms in butter until they are soft. Then, add strips of beef and cook until no longer pink. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder for extra flavor.

Add beef broth and cream to create a rich sauce. Let it simmer until thickened. Finally, mix in the cooked pasta, coating it with the sauce.

This dish is not only tasty but also easy to prepare for a large gathering.

Ingredients

• 1 pound beef (sirloin or stew beef)
• 8 ounces pasta (egg noodles or your choice)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup sour cream
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
3. Sauté onions and mushrooms until soft.
4. Add beef strips; cook until no longer pink.
5. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
6. Stir in beef broth and simmer for 5 minutes.
7. Mix in sour cream and combine well.
8. Add cooked pasta and stir to coat.
9. Serve warm and enjoy!

6) Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells

Spinach and ricotta stuffed shells are a delightful dish that everyone will enjoy. They are perfect for large gatherings and can be made ahead of time.

To start, cook jumbo pasta shells until they are al dente. Drain them and set aside. In a large bowl, mix ricotta cheese, fresh spinach, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese together. You can also add sautéed onions and garlic for extra flavor.

Stuff each pasta shell with the cheese mixture. Place them in a baking dish. Cover with marinara sauce and sprinkle more cheese on top.

Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20-30 minutes until heated through and bubbly.

Ingredients

• Jumbo pasta shells
• Ricotta cheese
• Fresh spinach
• Mozzarella cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Marinara sauce
• Olive oil
• Onion
• Garlic

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook pasta shells according to package directions.
3. In a bowl, combine ricotta, spinach, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
4. Stuff the shells with the cheese mixture.
5. Place stuffed shells in a baking dish. Cover with marinara sauce and sprinkle with cheese.
6. Bake for 20-30 minutes. Enjoy!

7) Seafood Linguine

Seafood linguine is a delicious choice for large gatherings. It combines pasta with fresh seafood, making it a crowd-pleaser. You can customize it based on your favorite seafood options.

Start by cooking linguine in salted water until it’s al dente. While the pasta cooks, prepare a flavorful sauce with garlic, butter, and cream. You can add shrimp, clams, or any seafood you prefer.

Once the seafood is cooked, mix it with the drained pasta. Toss in a bit of reserved pasta water to create a silky sauce. Finish with fresh parsley for added flavor and color.

This dish is not only tasty but also visually appealing. Your guests will enjoy every bite.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) dried linguine
• ¾ lb (340 g) jumbo head-on shrimp
• 2 tbsp butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ¼ cup chopped parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil salted water and cook the linguine until al dente.
2. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
3. Add garlic and sauté for about 1 minute.
4. Stir in cream, cooking it until thickened (about 5 minutes).
5. Add cooked seafood and toss with linguine.
6. Mix in reserved pasta water as needed.
7. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

8) Pesto Pasta Salad

Pesto pasta salad is a simple and tasty dish for large gatherings. You only need a few fresh ingredients, making it easy to prepare in advance.

Start by cooking your favorite short pasta until al dente. Rinse it under cold water. This helps cool the pasta fast and prevents it from getting sticky.

In a bowl, mix the cooled pasta with halved cherry tomatoes, diced mozzarella, and store-bought pesto sauce. You can also add some balsamic vinegar for extra flavor.

This salad is colorful and can be made for a crowd. It’s perfect for potlucks and summer picnics. Just refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors blend.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450 g) short pasta (like rotini or fusilli)
• 1 cup (150 g) cherry tomatoes, halved
• 8 ounces (225 g) mozzarella cheese, diced
• 1 cup (240 g) store-bought pesto sauce
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) balsamic vinegar

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the pasta according to package directions.
2. Then, drain and rinse with cold water.
3. In a large bowl, combine pasta, tomatoes, mozzarella, and pesto.
4. Add balsamic vinegar and mix well.
5. Chill for 30 minutes before serving.

9) Creamy Tomato and Basil Penne

Creamy Tomato and Basil Penne is a delicious choice for feeding a large group. This dish combines rich flavors and is easy to prepare, making it a perfect weeknight meal or a special gathering option.

Start by cooking penne pasta according to package instructions.

While the pasta cooks, prepare the creamy tomato sauce. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and sauté garlic until fragrant. Then, add crushed tomatoes and let them simmer for a few minutes.

Next, stir in heavy cream, fresh basil, and season with salt and pepper.

Combine the cooked pasta with the sauce. Mix well until the pasta is evenly coated. You can top it with grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.

This dish can be made in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy nights. The creamy sauce and fresh basil create a comforting meal that everyone will enjoy.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450 g) penne pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
• 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook penne pasta according to package instructions.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
3. Sauté garlic until fragrant.
4. Add crushed tomatoes and simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Stir in heavy cream and fresh basil.
6. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Combine pasta with sauce and mix until coated.
8. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.

10) Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

Garlic butter shrimp pasta is a delicious choice for feeding a large group. This dish combines juicy shrimp with a rich garlic butter sauce, making it crowd-pleasing and easy to prepare.

To start, choose large shrimp for the best flavor. Then, cook them in a mixture of butter and fresh garlic.

Many recipes suggest using fettuccine or linguine, as these pasta types hold the sauce well.

You can also add leafy greens to boost the nutrition. Spinach or arugula works wonderfully in this dish.

This pasta takes about 20 minutes to prepare. It’s quick enough for a busy night but elegant enough for a dinner party.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 8 ounces (225g) fettuccine or linguine
• 4 tablespoons (60g) butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: spinach or arugula

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions.
2. In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat (350°F/175°C).
3. Add the minced garlic and cook for 2 minutes.
4. Then, add the shrimp and cook until pink.
5. Toss in the cooked pasta and any greens. Mix well.
6. Season with salt and pepper before serving.