Girl Dinner Pasta Board (Print View)

A colorful platter of mixed pastas, grilled chicken, three sauces, and fresh toppings for easy sharing.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Pastas

01 - 3.5 oz spaghetti
02 - 3.5 oz penne
03 - 3.5 oz farfalle

→ Chicken

04 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
05 - 1 tbsp olive oil
06 - 1 tsp Italian seasoning
07 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Sauces

08 - 1 cup marinara sauce
09 - 1 cup Alfredo sauce
10 - 1 cup pesto sauce

→ Toppings & Garnishes

11 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
12 - ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
13 - ¼ cup fresh basil leaves
14 - ¼ cup black olives, sliced
15 - 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

# Method:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti, penne, and farfalle separately according to package directions. Drain each and toss with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
02 - Preheat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Rub chicken breasts with olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
03 - Grill chicken for 5 to 7 minutes per side until cooked through and juices run clear. Remove and let rest for 5 minutes, then slice into strips.
04 - Heat marinara, Alfredo, and pesto sauces in separate small saucepans over low heat until warmed through.
05 - Arrange the three pasta varieties on distinct sections of a large serving board or platter.
06 - Place the grilled chicken strips alongside the pasta on the board.
07 - Spoon each warmed sauce into small bowls and set them on the serving board.
08 - Place bowls or piles of Parmesan cheese, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, and black olives on the board.
09 - Drizzle extra-virgin olive oil over the pasta just before serving.
10 - Invite guests to mix and match the pastas, sauces, and toppings to their preference for a playful dining experience.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's interactive and fun—everyone builds their own perfect bite instead of eating what you decided for them.
  • You can prep most of it ahead, making it a low-stress option when hosting feels like a lot.
  • Leftovers transform into quick lunches because each component stays fresh and distinct.
02 -
  • Don't cook all the pasta together in one pot—they'll cook unevenly and stick to each other, and you'll lose the distinct textures that make this board special.
  • The 5-minute rest on grilled chicken isn't just kitchen talk; it genuinely makes the difference between chicken that shreds when you bite it and chicken that stays tender and juicy.
03 -
  • Toast your pasta with a tiny bit of the warm sauce before plating—it lets flavors meld slightly and makes each bite taste more intentional than pasta that's just been drizzled with oil.
  • Keep the sauces in small bowls on the board rather than serving them from the stovetop; it encourages people to taste everything and leaves the flow of dinner uninterrupted.
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