Northern Virginia Catering Pasta Ideas

Bow Tie Pasta Salad

Pasta!
When we cater a wedding reception in the Washington DC metropolitan area, almost all of our menus will feature a pasta side dish.  With the growing gluten free pasta options now available, we can offer a pasta option for any diet.  One of our most popular warm weather options is our Bow Tie Pasta Salad shown in the above photo.  Farfelle pasta mixed with fresh dill, Feta cheese, sun dried tomato, snow peas and a light herb dressing.  It is refreshing to eat and makes a colorful addition to the buffet.

Penne with a Vodka Sauce

 A popular choice during a cold month would be Penne in a Vodka Sauce.  For those of you unfamiliar with vodka sauce, it is basically a marinara based sauce with vodka (alcohol cooked out), cream and Parmesan cheese.  Absolutely delicious!

Linguine with Sun Dried Tomato, Cilantro and Parmesan Cheese

A favorite among our vegetarian selections is Linguine with Sun Dried Tomato, Cilantro and Parmesan Cheese.  It’s a lighter option, marries very well with entrees of roast beef and/or chicken.  

Tri Colored Cheese Tortellini in Al Fredo Sauce

The heartiest pasta option we offer would be our Tri Colored Cheese Tortellini in an Al Fredo Sauce.  Another vegetarian option served with a savory cream and cheese sauce.  This is a perfect menu option for a cold winter month.  It is also a great substitute as entree instead of meat/fish if you are serving a number of vegetarian guests.  


And everything old is new again!  Catering continually creates opportunities for invention!  Left over pasta is the blank slate for a new idea.  I started with the pasta from top of this post, the bow ties, and created…

Bow Tie Pasta with Tomato and Spinach

…sauteed Bow Tie Pasta with Fresh Tomato, Baby Spinach, Roasted Red Bell Peppers and Parmesan Cheese.  You could easily substitute the spinach for kale, throw in additional cheeses, and whatever herbs are growing in the garden  – basil would be perfect.  Any of these suggestions would be outstanding on a buffet style menu for a wedding reception.  Pasta is the first choice as a side dish when we sit down with clients to plan a menu.  Potatoes are a close second, with rice a third.  And me being all things starch, I’m totally on board for pasta AND potatoes! Any excuse to showcase butter and cheese:  I’m there.
Call us today to plan your next catered event.  www.cateringbyteatime.com