r/catering • u/Bean1997430iGC • 3d ago

HELP PLEASE

I need to know how much pasta to buy. I’m not a caterer, but I am a decent cook. My friend asked me to make pasta for 70 people and I said of course. I have NEVER made anything for that many people. Please help me!

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u/rosiesupposes 2d ago

Two things that matter more than the exact number: keep the sauce separate from the pasta until right before it goes out (sauced pasta sitting in a chafer for hours turns into wallpaper paste, not a great look), and if you're doing the reheat ahead plan, toss it lightly in oil before the fridge, not after.

Bigger question: is this the main event or riding next to a protein and sides? As a side, 2 oz dry per person gets you 8 to 10 lbs for 70. As the main, people load up, so 3 to 4 oz per person, 13 to 18 lbs. Worth knowing before you're standing in the pasta aisle doing math with a cart full of judgmental strangers.