How much pasta to make?

[mgs]

We're having out of town guests here for about a week. I am thinking of preparing 2 dinners for them during the week. (they are staying at a hotel) they have 4 kids, one an infant, and we have 1. Our son is a big eater, probably more than most kids. Their kids are ages 8, 6 and 4. One night I am going to make some sort of pasta dish and another night I am going to do home made pizza's.

So, that is 4 adults and 4 kids that will be eating the pasta. 2 pounds of pasta? What about if I am making a baked pasta dish? Would one 9 x 13 pan be enough? Or should I do an additional 8x8 pan?

I am really excited to cook big and use my new serving dishes!!! :D

thanks

Meg

[Canice]

I would think two pounds would be more than enough for 4 adults and 4 kids (but I'd rather have leftovers than have guests not take as much as they wanted).
However, one 9x13 pan doesn't sound like much to me that size group; I think I can only fit about 12 ounces of pasta (once all the other stuff is mixed in) in that size pan.

[gigicancook]

I make one pound of spaghetti for 3 adults, maybe there is a little left over. Last night I cooked a pound of penne for a casserole and only my mother and I ate and there is 3/4 of it left over.

I agree that it is better to have some leftovers, than not enough for company.

[mgs]

thanks guys!

Hey Canice? where do I get fresh pasta in this city?

thanks

[Canice]

Whole Foods sells fresh pasta from The Pasta Shop in Berkeley - that's a good bet. Andronico's is a lot closer and they sell fresh pasta but I don't recall if its local or national brands. They also sell it at the AG Ferrari stores (there's one on California Street, across from Laurel Village).
Have you been to Cheese Plus on Polk @ Vallejo? They sell it and that store was the inspiration for The Cheese School; the owner had been their buyer.

I know there are other places, but those are the ones closest to you. Lemme know if you need more ideas.

[mgs]

oh, my. I must go to Cheese Plus!! have to get ready for Cheese School!!

thanks so much. I forgot about Ferrari's on California. I wasn't sure what that place was all about. I thought it was a deli? I will go check it out.

[Canice]

They have a deli/prepared foods but also wine and fresh and dried pasta, imported Italian foods, and CHEESE. Pick up a LaTur while you'll there - you won't regret it. :D