You Need This Pasta Bar At Your Next Party

Thank you Skinner® pasta for sponsoring this post and showing our readers how to make a pasta bar!

Have you ever gone to a party only to leave disappointed with the variety of food items offered? It’s not a good feeling!

The food spread is the main attraction at many gatherings.

The menu can break the ice between strangers and spark conversation.

Couple amazing taste with creative decor and your event is likely to be a hit amongst friends.

Gather everyone for a unique and delicious pasta bar that’s not only fun to make, but enjoyable to eat.

How to make a Pasta Bar that keeps guests coming back

Select 3-5 different pasta shapes

Everyone loves Skinner – It’s the #1 pasta in Texas. That’s why I choose to include at least three pasta varieties. Skinner has various types of pastas to choose from. I went with elbow, spaghetti and the special Texas shaped pasta that is available at Kroger.

Skinner Pasta is great tasting, easy to cook with and always turns out right. It’s friendly on the wallet at makes all sorts of recipes that are family-friendly and perfect for get-togethers with friends.

Add sauce, vegetables, cheese and meat options

Next, include sauces that compliment the pasta such as marinara, Alfredo and basil pesto flavors.

For vegetable options, consider olives, diced tomatoes, mushrooms, and spinach leaves.

Meat is a great option to include in a pasta bar for those who enjoy more protein in their dishes. I included bacon, diced ham, ground beef and grilled chicken.

Don’t forget to include a spread of cheeses such as Parmesan and mozzarella. Yum! I am getting hungry just writing this!

Include salad, bread and beverages

Caesar salad shooters made in clear cups are the perfect addition to any pasta bar. Garlic bread and/or breadsticks are great to include as well as wine, tea and water.

Stress less by shopping with Instacart

Once you have your shopping list complete it’s time to shop! Trying to find all the different items for the pasta bar can be time consuming. Consider having the items delivered straight to your doorstep to save you the time and stress so you can focus on the next step – decorations!

With Instacart grocery shopping is made easy!

Save money with this special offer:

Skinner has teamed up with Instacart to provide free grocery delivery for customers only in Houston, Austin, San Antonio and Dallas. Just buy one (1) package of Skinner pasta and get free grocery delivery. Customers who don’t qualify for free delivery (e.g. Instacart Express Customers or first time customers) will receive $5 off their order. Delivery must be $35 or more to quality for free delivery or $5 off.

Decorate

The next step is to select a party scheme and get to decorating. This is where you can let your creative side shine. For my pasta bar I went with gold, white and pink colors. I added a letterboard to display a funny pasta joke. I added balloons, chalkboard labels and white/gold food tents.

Use a festive tablecloth and tie ribbons to a string to the front of the bar. I included wine corks and dollies in this tablescape.

Don’t forget to send your guests home with to-go boxes because a little pasta can go a long way. However, don’t be shocked if you don’t have any leftovers thanks to Skinner pasta- it’s simply too good to pass up!

Your friends will thank you for all the time and effort you put in to hosting the perfect gathering!

SEE THE PASTA BAR LIVE ON FACEBOOK

Now it’s time for you to be pampered with a friend thanks to Howdy Skinner Sweepstakes.

MORE FUN AHEAD – A TEXAS-SIZED GETAWAY

Got a Bestie? Win a Texas-sized getaway! Visit HowdySkinner.com to enter for your chance to win a three-night stay for you and a friend at the Marriott Marquis Houston including airfare and $500 spending money to enjoy the city’s sites, restaurants and attractions. Other prizes include a membership to Care.com and $500 to give you more “me” time by covering your dog walking, babysitting, and housekeeping services, or free pasta for a year for you and a friend. Sweepstakes kicks off on National Friendship Day (8/6/17) at 12:01 a.m. CDT; ends 9/6/17 at 11:59:59 p.m. CDT Visit HowdySkinner.com to enter and see official rules.