It’s sometimes difficult to determine the amount of pasta to cook for a recipe, especially if the package is opened and partially used. Follow along as we break down how much pasta you should make per person, along with tips on perfecting your pasta game. (Looking for a great dish? Try these incredibly easy pasta recipes.)
Make the Best Pasta with These Tips
- Save your pasta water: Pasta water acts a thickening agent to pasta sauce! Pour over noodles before adding the sauce.
- Cook spaghetti the right way: Carefully hold spaghetti in boiling water and ease it down into the water as it softens, pushing it around the edge of the pan. When fully immersed in the water, stir the spaghetti to separate strands.
- Try adding sugar to spaghetti and meatballs: A pinch of sugar to pasta sauce will mellow out the acidity—creating a more balanced sauce.
- Pair your pasta with a complementary sauce: Heavier sauces, like Alfredo, are best for wider noodles (hello, fettuccine Alfredo!). Whereas thinner sauces are perfect for skinnier noodle shapes like angel hair.
- Freeze your leftovers: Yes, you can really freeze cooked pasta. Just make sure to freeze your pasta and sauce separately
How Much Pasta is in a Portion?
A single serving size of pasta is typically about two ounces of dry pasta—amounting to about a cup of cooked pasta. Measuring out two ounces of dry pasta can get tricky when dealing with smaller pasta shapes like bow tie and macaroni. That’s why we threw together this handy chart for you!
How Much Pasta to Make Per Person
The chart below is a guideline for dry, packaged pasta. (If you’re serving for a group, just add up the dry amounts based on how many people you’re serving.)
Type of Pasta |
————- |
Uncooked Amount Per Person |
| Angel Hair | 2 oz | |
| Bow Tie | 1 cup/2 oz | |
| Egg Noodle | 1 cup/2 oz | |
| Elbow Macaroni | ½ cup/2 oz | |
| Fettuccine | 2 oz | |
| Linguine | 2 oz | |
| Medium Shell | ¾ cup/2 oz | |
| Rigatoni | ¾ cup/2 oz | |
| Rotini | ¾ cup/2 oz | |
| Spaghetti | 2 oz | |
| Thin Spaghetti | 2 oz | |
| Vermicelli | 2 oz | |
| Ziti | ¾ cup/2 oz |
Try these fork-twirling good spaghetti recipes.
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Favorite Baked Spaghetti
This yummy baked spaghetti casserole will be requested again and again for potlucks and family gatherings. It's especially popular with my grandchildren, who just love baked spaghetti with all the cheese. —Louise Miller, Westminster, Maryland
Broccoli Beef Lo Mein
My family loves pasta, but I'm always looking for different ways to prepare it. This dish is better than any Chinese restaurant variety I've tried.—Joan Crandall, Burlington, Connecticut
Spaghetti Pork Chops
The moist chops simmer to perfection in a tangy sauce, then are served over pasta. This was one of my mother's most-loved recipes. —Ellen Gallavan, Midland, Michigan
Pesto Shrimp Pasta
A dash of red pepper puts zip in this lively main dish. —Gloria Jones Grenga, Newnan, Georgia
Ground Beef Spaghetti Skillet
I remember my grandma making this stovetop supper many times—we always loved granny's spaghetti! My husband and I now enjoy making this for our supper. You can easily substitute ground turkey for the ground beef if that's what you have on hand. —Jill Thomas, Washington, Indiana
My Best Spaghetti & Meatballs
One of my favorite childhood memories is going to the Old Spaghetti Factory with my family and ordering a big plate of cheesy spaghetti, meatballs and garlic bread. My homemade recipe reminds me of those fun times and satisfies everyone's craving for good Italian food. —Erika Monroe-Williams, Scottsdale, Arizona
Monterey Spaghetti
I'm a working mother with two young boys. Our family leads a very active life, so I make a lot of casseroles. It's so nice to have a hearty side dish the kids will eat. Topped with cheese and french-fried onions, this tasty spaghetti casserole recipe is a hit at our house. —Janet Hibler, Cameron, Missouri
Spaghetti with Bacon
As children, we always requested this dish for our birthday dinners. Our mother got the recipe from her grandmother. Now I pass on our tasty tradition. —Ruth Keogh, North St. Paul, Minnesota
Stovetop Turkey Tetrazzini
A very special aunt shared this fun spin on creamy tetrazzini. We think it’s even better the next day. —Tasia Cox, Niceville, Florida
Shrimp Puttanesca
I throw together these bold ingredients for a feisty seafood pasta. —Lynda Balslev, Sausalito, California
Grandma's Cajun Chicken & Spaghetti
I’m originally from Louisiana, where my grandma spoke Cajun French as she taught me her spicy chicken spaghetti, lovingly made on an old woodstove. —Brenda Melancon, McComb, Mississippi
Florentine Spaghetti Bake
This hearty sausage entree will appeal to just about everyone. My daughter serves it often to her hardworking family on their wheat ranch in Montana. —Lorraine Martin, Lincoln, California
Spaghetti with Fresh Tomato Sauce
When my mom made this spaghetti sauce, the house would smell so good that I'd open the windows to torture the neighbors. It even tastes wonderful the next day, when the flavors have really melded. —Vera Schulze, Holbrook, New York
Spaghetti with Sausage and Peppers
Smoked turkey sausage with strips of fresh bell peppers is a healthy change of pace from Italian sausage or ground beef in your spaghetti. —Ginger Harrell, El Dorado, Arkansas
Creamy Chicken Fettuccine
Convenient canned soup and process American cheese hurry along the assembly of this creamy sauce loaded with delicious chunks of chicken. —Melissa Cowser, Greenville, Texas
Pizza Spaghetti
This recipe came to me when I saw someone dip a slice of pizza into a pasta dish. My wife and kids love it and so do my friends! —Robert Smith, Las Vegas, Nevada
Rustic Summer Vegetable Pasta
My veggie pasta proves you can’t have too much of a good thing. Feel free to change it up with whatever fresh veggies are in the garden or farmers market. —Bryn Namavari, Chicago, Illinois
North Carolina Shrimp Saute
Seafood is very popular in my state. I altered this recipe several times and now it's truly a family favorite. —Teresa Hildreth, Stoneville, North Carolina
Grecian Pasta & Chicken Skillet
We love a homemade meal at the end of the day. But the prep involved? Not so much. My Greek-inspired pasta is lemony, herby and, thankfully, easy. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California
Quick Carbonara
Carbonara is a dinnertime classic, but my version cuts down on the time it takes to make. Loaded with ham, bacon, olives, garlic and Parmesan, it certainly doesn't skimp on flavor. —Carole Martin, Tallahassee, Florida
Church Supper Spaghetti
Because this recipe feeds so many, I often take it to church dinners and potlucks. This colorful dish also comes in handy when we have lots of help to feed on our farm. —Verlyn Wilson, Wilkinson, Indiana
Nana's Italian Roulade
My great-aunt from Sicily taught my mother how to stuff and bake a steak in a jelly-roll style. It’s unique and really special in our family. —Roseanne McDonald, Days Creek, Oregon
Bruschetta-Topped Chicken & Spaghetti
I'm always on the lookout for healthy recipes for my family. If you find yourself craving Italian food, this delicious 30-minute meal hits the spot. —Susan Wholley, Fairfield, Connecticut
Stamp-of-Approval Spaghetti Sauce
My father is very opinionated, especially about food. This recipe received his almost unreachable stamp of approval. I have yet to hear a disagreement from anyone who has tried it! —Melissa Taylor, Higley, Arizona
Mozzarella Baked Spaghetti
This satisfying easy baked spaghetti recipe comes together and will please everyone at your table. Add a salad and breadsticks, and dinner's done. —Betty Rabe, Mahtomedi, Minnesota
Rosemary Shrimp with Spaghetti
I came up with this recipe on a busy weeknight when I was pressed for time. Now it’s my go-to dish whenever I need a quick, nutritious meal. Serve this with garlic bread so you can scoop every last bit of goodness off your plate! —Candace Havely, Sterling, Colorado
One-Pot Spaghetti Dinner
Mamma mia! What’s the secret to this one-pot spaghetti? A homemade jar sauce and a one-pot cooking method makes this family favorite recipe quick and delicious. —Carol Benzel-Schmidt, Stanwood, Washington
Southwestern Spaghetti
Chili powder and cumin give a mild Mexican flavor to this colorful one-skillet supper. With chunks of fresh zucchini, it's a nice change of pace from typical spaghetti dishes. —Beth Coffee, Hartford City, Indiana
Slow-Cooker Spaghetti & Meatballs
I’ve been cooking 50 years and this dish is still one that guests ask for frequently. My No. 1 standby slow cooker meatballs recipe also makes amazing hero sandwiches, and the sauce works for any pasta. —Jane McMillan, Dania Beach, Florida
Mushroom Turkey Tetrazzini
This creamy, comforting casserole makes a fantastic way to use up that leftover Thanksgiving turkey. And it’s a real family-pleaser! —Linda Howe, Lisle, Illinois.
Taco Spaghetti
I came up with this kid-friendly Southwestern recipe one afternoon when I was using up leftover spaghetti and ground beef. When I'm lucky enough to have extra time, I make two batches and freeze one. —Johanna Van Ness, Wichita, Kansas
Spinach-Beef Spaghetti Pie
With its angel hair pasta crust, this cheesy ground beef, tomato and spinach pie is always a hit when I serve it. Each neat slice has layers of pasta, cream cheese filling and spinach topping. —Carol Hicks Pensacola, Florida
Rich Baked Spaghetti
It takes a little longer to make baked spaghetti, but the difference in taste, texture and richness is well worth the time. I serve this lasagna-style dish with a tossed green salad and breadsticks for a hearty, healthy meal. —Betty Rabe, Mahtomedi, Minnesota
Hearty Garden Spaghetti
My husband and I wanted a pleasing dish that didn’t leave a ton of leftovers. My spaghetti with beef and fresh veggies is perfectly filling for four. —Wanda Quist, Loveland, Colorado
Italian Spaghetti with Chicken & Roasted Vegetables
When I get a craving for homemade tomato sauce, I make a zesty batch to toss with chicken and veggies. The flavors do wonders for penne, too. —Carly Curtin, Ellicott City, Maryland
Spaghetti & Meatball Skillet Supper
I developed this one-skillet spaghetti and meatball dish to cut down on cooking time for busy nights. The beans, artichokes and tomatoes bump up the nutrition factor, while the lemon and parsley make it pop with brightness. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California
Ham Pasta Toss
This is my favorite meal to make when I'm short on time. You can also use different meats or vegetables depending on what you have on hand. —Sharon Gerst, North Liberty, Iowa.
Chicken & Cheese Noodle Bake
This is the recipe my daughters and I often make for new parents when they come home from the hospital. With its creamy spaghetti filling and melted cheese topping, this casserole holds a nice cut and comforts hungry tummies. —Fancheon Resler, Bluffton, Indiana
Beef & Spinach Lo Mein
If you like a good stir-fry, this dish will definitely satisfy. I discovered the recipe at an international luncheon, and it's now a favorite go-to meal. —Denise Patterson, Bainbridge, Ohio
Thai Chicken Pasta Salad
I combined several recipes to come up with my healthier twist on traditional pad thai. My version has only one-third the sodium of frozen versions you find in the store. —Beth Dauenhauer, Pueblo, ColoradoThe post How Much Pasta Should I Make Per Person? appeared first on Taste of Home.
Christina Herbst