Amazing Pasta Dishes Made for Sharing with Friends

This sop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #thetalkofthetable #CollectiveBias 

The following content is intended for readers who are 21 and older.

This year I am making a concerted effort to keep my holidays relaxed and casual, but festive. I really want to pass this feeling along to friends and neighbors too. While I was cooking for my family, I had an amazing idea! Why not make extra to share with friends and other local families who may need a meal due to illness, new babies, or just because they are super busy! A hearty, delicious pasta dish is the perfect way to share some holiday spirit. Can you only imagine the sheer delight on someones face when you tell them, "Don't worry, I got this. And then you deliver a beautiful meal - for the entire family." Of course, topping off the meal with a chilled bottle of Chardonnay will add to the festive spirit.

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Perfectly Delicous EASY Vegetable Pasta Salad

This family of mine LOVES pasta. I LOVE veggies (and they sort of do...sometimes..depending on the veggie). So what better way to give them the pasta they love and make mom happy than with a Perfectly Delicious Vegetable Pasta Salad. Not only is this salad packed of of nutritious veggies, but it has the heartiness of ultragrain quinoa pasta, tossed with your favorite dressing and kissed with some freshly grated Parmesan. This pasta salad is so versatile - it is great for lunchboxes, dinner on a warm evening, and a crowd-pleaser at picnics and barbecues (Labor Day is fast approaching!)

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Dilly Summer Squash and Lentil Pasta Salad (Pasta Package Giveaway)

We are a pasta family.

We love pasta...in all shapes and forms.

My kids favorite...bow tie!

My hubby's favorite...spaghetti!

My favorite...any!

What is a constant is that we use whole wheat pasta rich in whole grain

Good quality, tasty whole wheat pasta like Hodgson Mill Whole Wheat Pasta 

can truly bring out the best in your pasta dish. I was excited to receive a selection of Hodgson Mill Whole Wheat Pastas to create a new recipe for their Summer Pastabilities  contest. (Um, yeah...I just might have won the Have a Grain Holiday Contest!)

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Let's Make Some Pasta! Meatball Penne Bake, Creamy Sausage Spaghetti, and Grilled Veggies (La Romanella Sweepstakes)

Our weeks are busy, like I am sure yours are too - kids, lots of activities, school work. We do try to find time to spend meal time together during the week, but it can be hard. However when the weekend rolls around, I like to make a big dinner on either Saturday or Sunday (or both depending our the weekend plans!). This not only allows us to all reconnect (without any pressures of homework or after school activities) as well as share stories and our experiences of the week.

So what does that big dinner consist of in our house?
Well, I usually let the kids help me plan the menu.
It is fun to cook with them and have them be a part of the meal planning and preparation...
and there is never a shortage of ideas!
This past weekend we had the pleasure of company,
and I decided it was time to go all out for an Italian feast to be enjoyed with family and friends!

As an avid Smart and Final shopper I think of La Romanella when I think of my ingredients for an Italian inspired meal. My pantry is stocked with La Romanella olive oil, balsamic vinegar, pasta sauces, canned tomatoes, and pasta. My kids are also HUGE fans of their meatballs - also staples in my freezer.

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Pasta Time! Lentil and Sundried Tomato Spaghettini

We are pasta lovers in this house.

Parmesan cheese...marinara...sauteed with veggies...

and of course my kiddos love meatballs.

These are our standards,

but I am always trying to find way to incorporate

new flavors and tastes into the pasta menu. 

After making my Easy Lentil Dip,

I have been feeling inspired to make a pasta dish with lentils.

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