Pasta bar catering: how it works and what it costs for 40 guests

Pasta bar catering from Upper Crust is a self-serve line of baked pasta, not a station where a cook tosses noodles to order. For 40 guests, three trays of pasta (Baked Mostaccioli, Baked Lasagna and Meatless Mostaccioli) with two salad trays and bread cost $351.98, about $8.80 a guest before tax. A hot buffet with pasta is $18.99 a person for 20 or more. Call (630) 553-9533.

What a pasta bar means here

Say "pasta bar" and people picture a line with a few pastas, a sauce or two and bread. We do that with baked trays that hold well on a table, which is the way to keep pasta hot for two hours. We do not do tossed-to-order pasta and we do not bring a station.

So the plan is a choice of two or three pastas, one salad, bread, and something to keep it all warm.

The pasta trays

Each tray comes in two sizes. The larger is the party size, and we plan on 20 portions to a large tray.

• Baked Mostaccioli: $45 small, $75 large.
• Baked Lasagna: $50 small, $90 large.
• Meatless Mostaccioli: $39 small, $65 large. Vegetarian.
• Vegetarian Baked Lasagna: $40 small, $70 large. Vegetarian.
• Eggplant Parmesan: $95. Vegetarian.

Side trays to round it out: Classic Caesar Salad, $49, Tossed Mixed Greens, $49, Fresh Homemade Bread, $11.99, serves 20, and Garlic Bread, $19.99, 12 pieces. For more on each, read pasta catering near Yorkville.

A pasta bar for 40 guests

• 1 large Baked Mostaccioli: $75
• 1 large Baked Lasagna: $90
• 1 large Meatless Mostaccioli: $65
• 2 trays Classic Caesar Salad at $49: $98
• 2 trays Fresh Homemade Bread at $11.99: $23.98

Total $351.98, or $8.80 a guest. Three pasta trays for 40 guests is one more than the headcount needs, on purpose, so that every guest finds something they want and nobody runs out of the vegetarian one. If you want a tighter budget, drop the lasagna and take $90 off.

Add a Chafing Dish Set at $17 per hot dish. Three pastas is $51. Then add Plates, Napkins & Silverware at $1.50 a person, $60 for 40. With the chafing dishes the food and rentals come to $402.98, $10.07 a guest, before plates and 9.25% sales tax.

Pasta bar on a hot buffet

If you want it served and dressed for you, a hot buffet is the other way. On Buffet Menu 1, $18.99 a person, you pick two entrées, three sides and a bread. Pasta choices include Baked Mostaccioli, Chicken Alfredo with Bow Tie Pasta, Baked Lasagna with Meat Sauce and Three Cheese Stuffed Shells with Marinara.

For 40 guests that is 40 x $18.99 = $759.60 before tax, and the buffet starts at 20 guests. It costs more than trays because it is a complete meal with sides, bread and more variety.

Which one to choose

• Trays if you have a place to set up and someone to keep an eye on the line: a church hall, a family party, a team dinner.
• Buffet if you want two entrées, sides and bread arranged for you, with the settings quoted on one sheet.

Italian parties of all kinds are under Italian catering. When you know the date and count, send them to the quote page.

Questions

How much pasta do I need per person?

We plan about one portion a guest and one large tray for every 20 guests. With a second entrée on the line, you can go lighter.

Do you offer a gluten-free pasta?

We do not list a gluten-free pasta tray. Chicken Oreganato, $80 a tray, is gluten-free if you need one hot main for a guest. The kitchen handles wheat and other allergens, so we cannot promise trace-free.

How far ahead do I order?

Three days for trays. Buffets with staff need 14 days.

Can the pasta travel?

Trays are for pick-up in Yorkville, or quoted delivery. Delivery is quoted when you order.