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Home » Parties & Entertaining

Pasta Bar Ideas

Modified: Apr 13, 2025 · Published: Sep 13, 2016 by Dannyelle Nicolle-Ramjist · This post may contain affiliate links · 6 Comments

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This DIY pasta bar party is perfect for feeding a crowd. We set up different pastas, sauces, and toppings for guests to make-their-own pasta.

Pasta bar for a party with different pastas, sauces, and toppings.
Jump to:
  • Pasta Bar Set Up
  • Serving Pieces
  • Decor Ideas
  • Pastas:
  • Sauces:
  • Toppings:
  • Keep It Simple -Store Bought Time Savers
  • Allergy, Vegan, Dairy-free, Gluten-Free Friendly
  • Side Dishes:
  • The Table
  • Drinks:
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • More Party Inspiration
  • Recipe

Last week my oldest daughter had a birthday, and we celebrated with a Make Your Own Pasta Bar. This is such a fun way to serve a lot of people.

It's great for a party or even large family meals.  Everyone loved choosing all their own perfect combinations, especially the picky eaters.

how to make your own pasta bar

Pasta Bar Set Up

A Pasta bar is an easy way for everyone to find something they love, and all you have to do is set it up and let them help themselves, so you get a chance to enjoy your own party too.

Pasta Bar ideas

We set our pasta bar up on our side buffet.  You'll want to keep in mind traffic flow when you're setting up a serve yourself buffet like this.  Think about how guests will move through the space, and the order of assembling their dish.  

If you don't have room in your dining room, consider setting something like this up on your kitchen table.  Or set up a side table in the dining space just for the buffet.

Serving Pieces

When you're setting a buffet it's always a good idea to think about different heights and try to incorporate some with different risers.  Try to use matching serving bowls if you can, and choose a colour scheme.  

To serve our pasta bar I bought some matching simple white bowls of various sizes as serving dishes. We had guests serve themselves at the buffet we created. We were a relatively small party, so we didn't have any issues keeping the food warm. If you had a larger group, you might consider using a slow cooker to serve some of the sauces, or food trays with warmers underneath instead of a serving dish. 

We went with a rustic Italian theme, so some wood crates worked well on our buffet.  Keep in mind that hot dishes may need a trivet under them to protect your table.  

Tip: Remember to include serving utensils.  You'll need different serving pieces for different shapes of pasta.  Tongs work well for long pastas like spaghetti, and large serving spoons are better for something like penne.  You'll also need ladles for the pasta sauces.  

We set the table with plates, and guests brought their plates up to serve themselves.  A pasta bowl would be a good option for guests too, if you have them instead of plates, since a bowl of pasta is a little easier to maneuver and spill anything, especially with a buffet set-up, where guests are walking back to their seats.  You could also set up plates or large bowls at the beginning of the buffet.  

Decor Ideas

We also added in some herbs potted in upcycled tins, some flowers in vases would be a good option too.  Try to tie your buffet decor to your table decor for a cohesive finished look.

We also included a fun chalkboard sign with instructions for our guests.  This is a nice addition for decor, but also helps any confused guests to understand exactly what they're supposed to do, and what their options are.

Pasta Bar set up in a home

Pastas:

We offered three different types of pasta -fettuccine, cheese tortellini, and rotini.

  • fettuccine
  • cheese tortellini
  • rotini

Our trio of pasta options were a hit. You could include any types of pasta that you like.  I wanted to include different pasta shapes. Remember that each different kind of past holds different sauces.  Ridges on the pasta make it hold the sauces better.  So consider your sauces when you choose the type of pasta.

Gluten Free Options

You might also include gluten-free pasta, or zucchini noodles might be a nice touch too when you're thinking about different kinds of pasta options to include.

Pasta Prep

I cooked the pasta right before serving. To help prevent it from sticking, you might stir in a bit of olive oil, or butter before serving. 

Tip: Don't underestimate how many large pots you will need to make this, and remember it takes a while to bring that much water to the boil, so keep that in mind as you're working out your timings for serving.  

We cooked ours and served them immediately.  You can also par-cook the pasta, and then put the cooked pasta into cold water to stop the cooking process.  Then right before serving, reheat it in boiling water.  This will give you a quicker cooking time at the end, and may be a great way to get all the warm pasta served more quickly, depending on how many options you're offering at your pasta party.

different pastas and sauces and toppings for a pasta buffet

Sauces:

There were three pasta sauces we used; tomato, alfredo, and a blush sauce.

  • tomato sauce
  • Alfredo sauce
  • blush sauce

It's always nice to have a white sauce, a red sauce or marinara sauce, and our third sauce was a combination of both to make a blush sauce. Pesto is also a great option for your DIY pasta bar.  A vodka sauce is another great option to include.

pasta bar ideas for pasta, sauces, and toppings

Toppings:

We made lots of fun toppings for our pasta buffet. We had a variety of meats including grilled chicken, Italian sausage, and meatballs. There was also sauteed veggies as a vegetable option. We also included some parmesan cheese and hot chilli flakes for those that like a little spice.

  • grilled chicken
  • Italian sausage
  • meatballs
  • veggies (mushrooms, peppers, onions)
  • Parmesan cheese
  • hot chilli flakes

Topping Prep

The chicken and sausage were grilled on the bbq, and then chopped into bite sized pieces for serving. The meatballs were cooked from frozen in the oven, as per the package directions.

We liked serving meatballs, but cooked ground beef is another option.

We sauteed our veggies in a large frying pan before serving. Prep all your veggies ahead of time, and cook until almost done. Just before serving finish off the cooking over a low heat.

You could also grill the vegetables and chop into bite sized pieces before serving. Serve grilled veggies on large platter with rows of each kind so that everyone can pick their own vegetable options.

Another great addition to your variety of toppings would be artichoke hearts, kalamata olives, fresh cherry tomatoes and sun-dried tomatoes.  

Our guests loved all the different options, and tried all kinds of different combos. It was perfect even for fussy eaters. I would definitely do it again, as it was a huge hit.

how to set up a pasta bar for a party

Keep It Simple -Store Bought Time Savers

There were a lot of different components to the pasta bar, but they were all really simple to put together. I used store bought sauces, and frozen meatballs to cut down the prep time. I cooked the veggies ahead of time and just re-heated them. Before serving my husband grilled the sausage and chicken on the bbq, I cooked the pasta, and heated up the sauces. 

Allergy, Vegan, Dairy-free, Gluten-Free Friendly

One of the great benefits of offering guests a buffet is that it's very friendly for all. If you know you have a guest with a dietary restriction be sure to include some options that work for them, like gluten free pasta, or zucchini zoodle noodles, veggie options, and non-dairy sauces. This is such a great option also to make all your guests feel included, and like you're all eating the same menu.

Side Dishes:

Along with this, we made a Caesar salad and cooked some mozzarella sticks. So it was pretty easy to put together. A green salad would be a great choice too. We also served some rolls. These options were all at the table and passed around.

  • caesar salad
  • mozzarella sticks
  • garlic bread
  • fresh bread rolls
  • butter
  • breadsticks
  • olives
  • salt and black pepper
Italian themed party tablescape and centre piece

The Table

I wanted the table to continue the Italian theme, so we went for a rustic Italian feel.

Italian party centre piece of herbs planted in tomato tin cans

We used some tomato tins as herb planters and had fresh basil, thyme, and Italian parsley as the centrepiece.  I set them up on a raised rustic wooden box. They were a great idea as a nice alternative to flowers.  And I did a few more to add to the buffet to tie the whole look together.

Italian party tablescape with breadsticks and olives, and rolls
We added some breadsticks, olives, and fresh tomatoes to the table for snacking, and they looked great too.

pasta party table settings with individual rolls on each plate

Each guest had their own roll, wrapped in parchment paper, waiting for them at their place setting.  We served these with butter, but offering a little olive oil and balsamic vinegar for bread dipping would be a really great idea too.

Italian party pasta party tablescape

Drinks:

I set up some Italian inspired drinks in the kitchen for our guests.

  • lemon San Pellegrino
  • orange San Pellegrino
  • San Pellegrino sparkling water
  • wine

The sparkling drinks were a big hit with guests.  Another option would be to set up an Italian soda bar, where guests could make their own, and try different flavors.  This would be the perfect addition to our pasta bar ideas.

drinks for an Italian pasta themed dinner party
This was such a fun get-together with great food that everyone enjoyed.  I highly recommend these pasta bar ideas to you for a party.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you keep the pasta from sticking to itself?

After your pasta is cooked and drained, add a teaspoon or two of olive oil or butter to it. This will help keep it from sticking to itself.

How do you keep the food hot?

We reheated the food right before serving and had no issue with it staying hot. If you are serving a larger crowd, you could use heated trays, either electric or with the burner fuel below the trays to keep the food hot. If you are serving your pasta this way consider saving a cup of the cooking water and adding it to the tray so that the pasta doesn't become dry, and use a slotted spoon or tongs for serving. For the sauces, mini crockpots work well.

What toppings can you put on pasta?

Once you have your pasta, offer a few different sauces and a few different meat options like chicken, Italian sausage, and meatballs. It's also nice to offer some different cooked vegetables as toppings. Lastly, add some fun add-ons like cheese, hot chilli flakes, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh herbs.

What pasta bar options are there for gluten-free, vegan, or dairy-free guests?

Use gluten-free pasta, zucchini noodles, meatless protein, or dairy-free sauces for guests with dietary restrictions. Be sure to cook these options separately, and serve them with separate serving utensils.

More Party Inspiration

  • Make your own pizza party.
    Make Your Own Pizza Party!
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    Christmas Fondue Party
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    Adult Lemonade Stand Ideas
  • How to throw a toast party.
    How To Throw A Toast Dinner Party And Toast Topper Ideas

If you tried these Pasta Bar Ideas or any other ideas on my blog please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks for visiting today!

Recipe

Pasta bar for a party with different pastas, sauces, and toppings.

Pasta Bar

Make your own pasta with a variety of pastas, sauces, and toppings to choose from.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main
Cuisine: Italian
Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour hour
Total Time: 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes
Author: Dannyelle Nicolle-Ramjist

Ingredients

  • fettuccine
  • cheese tortellini
  • rotini
  • olive oil or butter
  • tomato sauce
  • Alfredo sauce
  • blush sauce
  • grilled chicken
  • Italian sausage
  • meatballs
  • sautéed mushrooms, peppers, onions
  • Parmesan cheese
  • hot chilli flakes

Instructions

  • Grill the chicken and Italian sausage and cut into bite sized pieces. Make your own or heat frozen meatballs in the oven according to the package directions. Cut up mushrooms, peppers and onions and sautéed until tender.
  • Make your own, or reheat store bought sauces.
  • Bring 3 large pots of water to boil and cook your pastas. Add a few teaspoons of olive oil or butter to the drained pasta to help prevent it from sticking together.
  • Place all the pasta bar items into bowls, and arrange them in groups of pastas, sauces, and toppings for guests to help themselves.

Notes

If you are serving a smaller group, prepare the food and serve in bowls.
If you are serving a very large group, consider serving the food in warming trays or crockpots to help keep the food warm through out the party.
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @LifeisaParty or tag #lifeisaparty!

With a Make Your Own Pasta Bar and all these great pasta bar ideas, life really is a party!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Dannyelle Nicolle-Ramjist says

    October 23, 2024 at 11:51 am

    5 stars
    We love doing this for a party and our guests always love customizing their own pasta. It's such a crowd pleaser.

  2. dnr says

    February 11, 2019 at 10:28 am

    Hi Gina, I know in restaurants they sometimes pre-cook pasta until almost done, but not quite and then re-heat and finishing last bit of cooking in boiling water. Not sure if this would work. Hope your get together went well.
    Best,
    Dannyelle

  3. Gina says

    December 18, 2018 at 11:32 am

    I am planning to do a pasta bar for Christmas Eve. I would like to cook my pasta (three different kinds) the day before. Any suggests on how to warm up the pasta on the day and how to keep it warm? Thanks

  4. Katrien says

    January 17, 2018 at 7:04 am

    Hi, this looks wonderfull! I wonder how you kept the sauses and pasta warm enough?

  5. dnr says

    November 21, 2017 at 8:10 am

    Hi Kimiko,
    You can just add a little oil to your noodles after they're cooked to help them to keep from sticking. Hope this helps.
    Dannyelle

  6. kimiko says

    November 16, 2017 at 2:23 pm

    Hello, how did you keep the noodles from sticking?

5 from 1 vote

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