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Hosting a small group of friends or family can be enjoyable if the menu is easy to manage. Pasta is a popular choice because it is filling and easy to customise. When served with a salad, the plate feels complete and balanced. You can prepare the sauces and vegetables earlier in the day, so you only need to boil the pasta and assemble the dishes before serving. Salads are also useful when you want to add freshness to the table without needing long cooking time. These meals do not rely on hard-to-find ingredients and can be made with basic kitchen tools. If you are looking for practical pasta and salad ideas for your next gathering, the following five options can help you serve meals that feel satisfying without taking too much time in the kitchen.
Creamy Penne Pasta With Fresh Vegetable Salad
Penne pasta made with a white sauce is popular in many Indian homes. You can prepare the sauce using milk, butter, and flour, with some grated cheese added while cooking. This sauce does not need imported cheese or cream. Processed cheese or homemade white sauce made with a pinch of black pepper and salt is enough. You can add sweet corn, chopped capsicum, and a few peas to make the dish colourful and filling. The pasta holds its shape well, so it can be served warm or packed into a casserole if you need to keep it warm for longer.
To serve with this pasta, a fresh salad made with chopped cucumber, tomato, carrot, and lettuce works well. A basic dressing of lemon juice and oil can be mixed just before serving. You can keep the vegetables cold until the guests arrive and then toss them quickly with salt and lemon. This salad balances the rich flavour of the pasta and helps you offer a lighter side dish without extra effort.
Arrabbiata Pasta With Chickpea And Onion Salad
Arrabbiata pasta is made using a red sauce that includes tomatoes, garlic, and dried red chillies. This dish works well if your guests enjoy something spicy. You can prepare the sauce by cooking chopped onions and garlic in oil, adding tomatoes and crushed chillies, and letting it cook until thick. The sauce can be made in advance and stored in the fridge. You can boil the pasta just before serving and mix it with the sauce, then garnish with coriander or grated cheese.
To serve alongside this, a salad made with boiled chickpeas, chopped onion, tomato, and coriander is a good choice. You can season the salad with lemon juice, salt, and a pinch of roasted cumin powder. This salad adds texture and protein to the meal. It can also be served chilled, which gives contrast to the hot pasta. Both the pasta and salad are easy to prepare in advance and suit guests who prefer stronger flavours.
Garlic Butter Spaghetti With Cucumber And Cabbage Salad
Garlic butter spaghetti is one of the quickest dishes to prepare. You need only spaghetti, chopped garlic, and butter. Once the pasta is boiled, you can toss it in a pan with melted butter and sautéed garlic. You can add some herbs like dried oregano or black pepper for flavour. This dish works well because it can be prepared in large quantities without any complicated steps. If you want to add more bulk, you can stir in some sautéed mushrooms or boiled peas.
To serve with this, you can prepare a salad using shredded cabbage, chopped cucumber, and grated carrot. The salad can be mixed with curd and a pinch of salt. This creates a mildly tangy side dish that cools the palate. You do not need mayonnaise or any fancy dressing for this. The creamy texture of the curd and the crunch of the vegetables help balance the smoothness of the buttered spaghetti. This is a useful option for guests who enjoy simple flavours without heavy sauces.
Pesto Pasta With Moong Sprout Salad
You can make a basic green pesto at home using fresh coriander, garlic, peanuts, oil, and a little lemon juice. This mixture can be blended into a paste and used as a sauce for pasta. It works best with fusilli or macaroni because the shape helps hold the sauce. The pesto can be prepared early and stored in the fridge, which helps reduce preparation time on the day of the event.
A moong sprout salad makes a good partner for this dish. You can use sprouted moong, chopped tomato, onion, and coriander. A little lemon juice and salt can be added to enhance the flavour. This salad is light, healthy, and easy to prepare in large quantities. It suits guests who prefer low-oil meals or are avoiding creamy dishes. The combination of herbed pasta with the fresh sprouts offers a balanced and complete plate that does not feel too heavy.
Baked Macaroni In Tomato Sauce With Carrot And Lettuce Salad
Macaroni can be baked with a simple tomato sauce and some cheese to create a warm, comforting dish that holds up well during serving. You can prepare the sauce using onion, garlic, and fresh tomatoes cooked until thick. Add boiled macaroni and mix well, then transfer to a baking tray, top with grated cheese, and bake until the top is slightly brown. This dish can be made early and reheated before guests arrive.
To serve with this, a salad made with shredded carrot and lettuce works well. You can toss the vegetables with lemon juice, oil, and a small pinch of sugar for balance. This salad gives a crisp texture to the plate, which helps contrast the soft, baked pasta. The tomato-based pasta can feel dense when eaten alone, so adding a simple salad helps keep the meal balanced. Both dishes are easy to prepare using basic ingredients that are available in most homes.
