Pasta salad - side for 20

[Anonymous]

Settle a debate between me and DH - haha. I am guilty of always making WAY too much food for the size of the crowd I am feeding. If I am bringing pasta salad to an event as a side for 20 people, how many boxes of pasta do I cook for the base?

[Anonymous]

Is everyone bringing something? If so, make 1 box (1lb) and you’re good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is everyone bringing something? If so, make 1 box (1lb) and you’re good.

+1

[Anonymous]

1 box isn’t a lot. I’d err on the generous side and make more.

[Anonymous]

If everyone is bringing something, a pasta salad with lots of veggies/cheese and 1 box of pasta is fine.

At most, each person will take 2 spoonfuls.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If everyone is bringing something, a pasta salad with lots of veggies/cheese and 1 box of pasta is fine.

At most, each person will take 2 spoonfuls.

+1

[Anonymous]

I’d make at least 2 pounds if not 3.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d make at least 2 pounds if not 3.

3 pounds of pasta is 13.5 cups. that would be a 2/3 cup serving for every guest if everyone took some. Unless they’re a vegetarian most people take one scoop at best.

[Anonymous]

Depends on the crowd. Kids, I'd make 2 boxes. Adults, 1, because only the dads would eat it - no woman I know would be caught dead eating all the carbs in a pasta salad

[Anonymous]

OP here. DH said 2, I bought 4 and was thinking *at least* 3. Yes, all adults and other sides, too. Again, I always make way too much food.

[Anonymous]

2 is plenty

[Anonymous]

One pound serves 8 as a main. 16 servings as a side would be generous. So 1 box is fine. 2 boxes is 16 main servings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One pound serves 8 as a main. 16 servings as a side would be generous. So 1 box is fine. 2 boxes is 16 main servings.

I just made a pound with lots of veggies in it and some feta and I would be very comfortable bringing that to a party of 20 with other sides. Maybe 1.5 lbs with more veggies, MAX.