Making Pasta for a Crowd Here’s the Perfect Amount to Buy and Cook

Planning a gathering and serving pasta? It’s a crowd-pleaser, budget-friendly, and easy to prepare in large batches. But the big question is: how much pasta should you buy and cook for a crowd? Whether you're hosting a family dinner, a party, or a potluck, this guide will help you serve the right amount without running short—or ending up with heaps of leftovers. How Much Pasta Per Person? The general rule of thumb depends on whether pasta is the main course or a side dish: Main dish: 2 ounces (about 56 grams) of dry pasta per person Side dish: 1 to 1.5 ounces (28–42 grams) per person Keep in mind that pasta roughly doubles in size and weight once cooked, so 1 pound (16 ounces) of dry pasta yields about 8 cups of cooked pasta. Pasta Quantity Cheat Sheet Number of People Dry Pasta (Main) Dry Pasta (Side) 10 20 oz / 1.25 lbs 10–15 oz 20 40 oz / 2.5 lbs 20–30 oz 50 100 oz / 6.25 lbs 50–75 oz Tips for Cooking Pasta for a Group Choose the Right Shape: Short pasta (like penne, fusilli, or rigatoni) is easier to serve and holds up better in large quantities.