Italian food is a real crowd pleaser, but not every Italian dish works well for big parties. Dishes with cream sauces, for example, may have the oil separate if they are left on a warmer for too long. Pastas that are too small and delicate may become overly soft and gummy as they sit. If you're thinking of ordering Italian food from a caterer, here are four dishes that do stand up well.
Chicken Cacciatore
Chicken cacciatore is a stew-like dish made with chicken, tomatoes, and lots of seasonings. Sometimes it is served over rice or pasta, and other times it is served on its own with lots of bread for dipping. Since there is no pasta immersed in the sauce and the chicken is never crisp, this dish stays delicious when set on a warming tray during a party.
Spaghetti Putenesca
If you would like to have a spaghetti dish at your party, this is the one. It's made with a light tomato sauce containing kalamata olives, capers, and plenty of basil. As long as the restaurant uses a thicker spaghetti noodle and is careful not to overcook the pasta, the dish should be delicious when it is served since the sauce contains plenty of oil to keep it from soaking into the noodles.
Cacio e Pepe
Cacio e pepe is a simple pasta dish made from spaghetti, parmesan cheese, butter, and cracked pepper. Again, because the sauce is mostly oil (butter) and there is no cream in it, the dish does not get too soggy as it sits. Some restaurants even use a thicker noodle, like tagliolini, which is even better. The dish is more complex and delicious than you would think based on its simple ingredients; the pepper and parmesan have a unique contrast.
Spessatino di Manzo
This dish is a hearty beef stew, made Italian style. It's a great choice during winter when guests want a filling dish. Made with onions, carrots, oregano, thyme, and plum tomatoes, the stew boasts a rich sauce that sticks well to the meat. You can have it served over mashed potatoes, which tend to travel better than rice or pasta.
The next time you order food from an Italian catering company, pick one of these dishes. You won't be disappointed! Also, make sure you order plenty of garlic bread. It travels well and is nice for soaking up any sauces that these dishes leave behind.