Most hosts might not consider spaghetti as their first choice when choosing a meal to cook for a group of people, and they may have a point. However, when it comes to cooking dinner for a large group, there are few recipes that make more sense than spaghetti. Not only is spaghetti delicious, there are several ways to go about making it, and it’s an affordable way to make a great meal for a group.

Spaghetti

For catering services, sometimes a spaghetti spread could make sense for an event that is going for an Italian course. But learning and knowing how to make spaghetti is an invaluable skill.

What Is Spaghetti?

Spaghetti is technically a type of noodle. The noodles found in the grocery store that are referred to as spaghetti are long and thin, although there are thinner noodles available and a thicker version labelled as linguini. The spaghetti provides the noodle for the dish, but as some have said before, the sauce is like the icing on the cake that is spaghetti.

What Is Spaghetti Sauce?

The sauce is what brings this dish together. Like many Italian pasta dishes, the sauce is made separately from the noodles and then poured over before serving. Sometimes the noodles can be stirred into the sauce before

What Is Needed for Spaghetti?

The essential ingredients of spaghetti vary from chef to chef. That is the beauty of spaghetti, and really of pasta in general. There are many ways to go about cooking spaghetti, and the real secret is to find the way that works best for the individual cooking.

The number of ingredients will vary depending on how many people are in attendance.

A good place to start is with a few basic vegetables. Onions, bell peppers (any color), and fresh garlic are the big three. Mushrooms can be thrown in as well, if there are mushroom fans around. A few tomatoes help add freshness to the sauce.

Obviously, noodles are going to be needed. The number of boxes necessary depends on how many will be joining for the meal. Tomato sauce is required for the sauce, as well as tomato paste to thicken it.

The desired spices could be found in most Italian seasonings sold at a store, but oregano and basil are able to do the trick along with salt and pepper. They will be added in last.

Where to Start

1. Put a splash olive oil in the pot that will be used for making the sauce, with the heat on medium. Cover with lid to ensure the steam stays in the pot to help cook the vegetables.
2. Place the chopped bell peppers and onions in the pot, and letting them simmer on medium for 10-15 minutes. Stir occasionally.
3. The garlic can be added in next, finely chopped and don’t be afraid to use a few cloves. Garlic is strong but its flavors will be subtle in comparison with the rest of the sauce.
4. Let the garlic settle in with the onions and let them cook until the onions achieve a golden color.
5. Diced tomatoes can be added in next. Canned tomatoes will work, but fresh are best.

The Sauce

Now it is time to begin adding in tomato sauce.

1. Open the cans of tomato sauce and pour in one at a time. The amount of sauce added depends on the number of people and the degree of thickness desired.
2. After stirring, place the lid back on the pot to keep the sauce from splashing everywhere. Let the sauce come to a boil and stay there for a few minutes.
3. Turn heat to low and add tomato paste, stirring again. The sauce will be hot enough to dissolve the paste, which will give the spaghetti a thicker texture and keep it from being runny.

The Spice

1. The fun part. Be generous with the Italian seasonings and oregano and basil, as they are going to be what gives it the sauce the Italian-vibe and flavors expected in a spaghetti dish.
2. Salt and pepper are added as well. Black pepper gives the sauce a deeper flavor texture, and the salt is going to bring all the flavors together.
3. Sugar is used by some to reduce the acidity notes that the tomato carries, but it is not required.

The Noodles

(This is the easy part!)

1. Have a pot of water on-hand to place the noodles when ready.
2. Place the water on high-heat around the time the tomato paste is added to the sauce.
3. 10 minutes before meal-time, place the noodles in the boiling water.
4. Read the box to see how long the noodles will take, but a general rule of thumb is to see if the noodles stick when placed on a plate or other surface. There’s also the taste test which may come in handy – just be careful, they’re hot!
5. Drain the noodles in a strainer, and place running hot water over them if it’s available to prevent them from sticking. Now it’s time to serve!

Bon Appetit!

While that may seem like a lot, after a couple tries it can become like second nature, and turn into a favorite dish  to cook for a group. For bigger events when a caterer is necessary, get in touch with Catering CC in South Florida! They have 25 years of experience in the industry, and will be able to assist with weddings, barbecues, and other catering events!