Can you help me make an Italian meal please?

[loveulotslikejellytots]

I've got a friend coming round Saturday for dinner. We both love Italian food so I'm attempting an Italian meal.

I was thinking of doing a caprese salad to go on the side, then I want to do a pasta dish. But what? I was thinking carbonara. Would that be too much with that salad on the side?

Also, would you do a pudding? I could do something light like a fruit salad. What do you think?

I dont know that carbonara is a great choice, just because it's so last minute dependent...

What about Pasta Genovese? Pasta (I usually use linguine) with sliced cooked new potatoes, cooked green beans and pesto sauce. One of my favourite and reliable go-to Italian suppers for guests

Carbonara is very heavy and can go wrong very easily.

Do this OP. It's my go-to pasta dish when I'm entertaining, is easy and tastes incredible!

What about puttanesca? It's my favourite and really easy. You can freeze the sauce and reheat it. Nigella has a great recipe!

Spaghetti alla Milanese.. spaghetti with a tomato sauce served with a chicken escalope

Caprese is more of a starter.

I make a nice tagliatelle with Gorgonzola, cream and walnuts. I can link recipe if you wish.

What about a good ice cream for pud with your fruit. Or make a tiramisu. It is very easy.

Buon appetito!

Antipasti platter to share....large ball of good quality buffalo mozzarella torn up slightly to look rustic ;),a couple of slices of parma ham, grilled artichokes & peppers (easy to make or buy pre-prepared), a few olives and some marinated anchovies.

Then an unctious risotto (risotto bianco with homemade pesto is my fave) or any of the pasta dishes mentioned above. Jamie O's slow roast lamb shoulder makes a delicious (and very easy) ragu.

Affogato for pudding! In a glass, place a scoop of good quality vanilla ice cream and pour a shot of espresso over the top. Or a glass of Vin Santo and some almond biscotti or cantucci to dip into it. Yum.