I am a proud lover of pasta – and also a proud maker of way too much. Whether my eyes were hungrier than my stomach or I overprepared for a dinner party, cooking pasta can sometimes be deceiving.
Whether you’re cooking pasta for yourself, 4, 6 or 8 people, use our guide below to help you portion sizes just right.
How to portion pasta
The best experts to consult on pasta portions are, of course, the Italians. I mean, they invented the stuff, and it is a way of life for them, so it’s only fitting.
According to the Italians, the recommended portion sizes for pasta types per person include:
- 60 to 100 g dried pasta
- 70 to 120 g fresh pasta
- 100 to 130 g gnocchi
- 120 to 150 g filled pasta (like tortellini or ravioli)
The lower end of these amounts may seem small, but they are perfect when having pasta as a first course (known as primo in Italy). If you’re enjoying a pasta as a main, then use the higher end of the amounts.
When making pasta for more than one, simply scale up. For example, multiply the per-person amount by the number of people you’re cooking for, i.e. 2, 4, 6 or 8. If more than 8, I suggest making pasta in batches or using two big pots. This prevents the pasta from clumping or sticking together, and uneven cooking.
I don’t have a scale
If you don’t own a scale, or like cooking by eye or feeling, then use the following to guide you:
- 100 g dried pasta = 1 cup OR two small handfuls
- 100 g dried pasta noodles (spaghetti, tagliatelle, fettuccini, etc) = 1 cup (stand the noodles up and fill the cup) OR 1 grip size (tip of thumb touching tip of index finger)
- 120 g fresh pasta = 1 1/2 cups OR two heaped or three small handfuls OR 2 to 3 bundles (for fresh noodles)
- 130 g gnocchi = 1 1/3 cups OR 2 to 3 handfuls OR follow package instructions
- 150 g filled pasta = 2 cups OR 2 to 3 handfuls OR follow package instructions
What to do with leftover cooked pasta
Drain it and add a touch of oil to prevent it from sticking. It will keep in a sealed Tupperware in the fridge for 2 to 3 days, or frozen for a month. Consider making:
- Trying out a new pasta sauce to pair with for lunch or dinner
- Pasta salad
- Add it to soups and stews
