Description
This Girl Dinner Pasta Board is a fun and customizable meal perfect for sharing. Featuring three types of pasta—spaghetti, penne, and farfalle—each cooked separately and served with grilled chicken breasts and three distinct sauces: marinara, Alfredo, and pesto. The board is garnished with Parmesan cheese, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, black olives, and a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil, allowing everyone to create their own perfect pasta plate.
Ingredients
Scale
Pastas
- 3.5 oz spaghetti
- 3.5 oz penne
- 3.5 oz farfalle
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Sauces
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup Alfredo sauce
- 1 cup pesto sauce
Toppings & Garnishes
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves
- ¼ cup black olives, sliced
- 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Cook Pastas Separately: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti, penne, and farfalle each individually according to their package directions. Once cooked, drain each pasta and toss with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
- Prepare Chicken: Preheat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Rub the chicken breasts with olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to coat evenly.
- Grill Chicken: Place the chicken breasts on the heated pan and grill for 5 to 7 minutes per side, or until fully cooked and the juices run clear. Remove from heat and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing into strips.
- Warm Sauces: Pour the marinara, Alfredo, and pesto sauces into separate small saucepans. Heat them over low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through.
- Assemble Pasta Sections: On a large serving board or platter, arrange each type of pasta in distinct sections to create a visually appealing presentation.
- Add Chicken and Sauces: Place the sliced grilled chicken strips beside the pasta sections. Spoon each warmed sauce into small bowls and arrange them on the board for easy dipping.
- Add Toppings and Drizzle Oil: Distribute the grated Parmesan cheese, halved cherry tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, and sliced black olives around the board in bowls or small piles. Drizzle extra-virgin olive oil over the pasta just before serving.
- Serve and Enjoy: Encourage guests to mix and match the pastas, sauces, chicken, and toppings according to their preferences for a customizable and inviting meal experience.
Notes
- Cooking pastas separately prevents them from sticking together and allows for better presentation.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for food safety.
- Feel free to substitute or add other toppings like roasted vegetables or different cheeses for variety.
- This recipe can be adapted for vegetarians by omitting the chicken and adding grilled or roasted vegetables.
- To save time, sauces can be store-bought or homemade depending on convenience.
