Girl Dinner Pasta Board (Printable)

A playful board with three pastas, sauces, grilled chicken strips, and fresh garnishes for sharing and mixing flavors.

# Components:

→ 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 instructions. Drain and toss each 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 - Cook chicken for 5 to 7 minutes per side until juices run clear. Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing into strips.
04 - Heat marinara, Alfredo, and pesto sauces separately in small saucepans over low heat.
05 - Arrange the three pasta types in separate sections on a large serving platter. Place grilled chicken strips alongside.
06 - Place each sauce in small bowls on the board. Add Parmesan, cherry tomatoes, basil, and olives around the platter.
07 - Drizzle extra-virgin olive oil over pasta just before serving. Invite guests to mix and match pastas, sauces, and toppings to their preference.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everyone gets to play chef, mixing their own combinations without judgment or rules.
  • You can make it with whatever you have on hand—no special trips to the grocery store required.
  • The entire spread comes together in less than an hour, yet feels like you've created something impressive and thoughtful.
02 -
  • Cook each pasta separately—they have different cooking times and won't finish together, so you'll either have mushy spaghetti or crunchy farfalle.
  • Don't skip resting the chicken; it's the difference between meat that shreds and meat that stays tender.
03 -
  • Toast the olive oil you're about to drizzle in a separate pan over medium heat for thirty seconds—it deepens the flavor in a way that feels disproportionately impressive.
  • Warm the plates or bowls where people will build their combinations; warm ceramics keep the pasta tasting fresher longer.
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