If you’re planning a pool party this summer, the best way to make it fun and memorable for the whole family is by preparing the right food. That means dishes that can be enjoyed while also mingling around the poolside and soaking up the sun. Wondering what to prepare? Read on and find out.
When it comes to Italian-inspired recipes, we’ve got exactly what you need to get the party started and keep everyone smiling. From pasta salads to grilled shrimp dishes and appetizers, learn to cook these quick and easy delights. What’s more, we’ll throw in plenty of tips along the way to help you prepare for perfection.
Tip – Send invitations: Nowadays, you can make an invitation on your phone and send it to all the friends and family members you choose to invite. This helps to build a sense of occasion and makes people feel appreciated to have been included.
Pasta Salad Recipes for Pool Parties
Pasta salads can be prepared in advance, left to sit, and served chilled, making them perfect for pool parties. With a large platter of this Fresh Sacchettini Salad, you can let the guests help themselves to their own serving and enjoy the black olives, peppers, chicken and bacon filled pasta with a basil and cheese pesto sauce.
Or treat your guests to a visual sensation with the most vibrant of pasta salad dishes with this Rainbow Tortellini Salad. Alongside the creamy blend of three cheeses inside the pasta, it also includes cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, sliced carrots, and more.
Tip – Serve drinks with ice: Make sure there are enough ice cubes stored in the freezer and a diverse range of drinks in the fridge. Ask what your guests prefer, and let them know you’ve got them covered with the refreshments of their choice.
One of the most refreshing pasta salads out there is this Greek Salad Tortellini, which tastes just as beautiful as it looks. Cheesy, nutritious, and topped with a drizzle of olive oil and fresh lemon juice, this recipe has that summer feeling your taste buds will crave at your pool party.
Likewise, Confetti Pasta Salad is equally vibrant and delicious, but with an extra herbaceous kick that comes from its basil leaves and the irresistible taste and texture of sundried tomatoes that give the dish its own distinct and flavourful charm.
Tip – Serve snacks on plates and bowls: As much as those at the party will enjoy their hearty dishes, they’ll also feel comforted by the presence of snacks. Fill up little plates and bowls with nuts, potato chips, olives, pieces of cheese, and other handheld snacks that require no prep.
Grilled Shrimp Recipes
If you want to fire up the grills at the poolside, think shrimp. Why? Because they have a sweet taste and juicy texture that work wonders on the palate during summer and can be easily incorporated into dishes such as this Quick Garlic Shrimp with Skillet Gnocchi.
You can even bring some greens to your shrimp dish by preparing a Tortellini Asparagus Shrimp recipe and indulging in the cheesy flavours that meld with their delicious ingredient combo within a blanketing coat of Olivieri® Creamy Rosé Sauce.
Tip – Play games: How can something so simple be so often overlooked at parties? Games allow children and adults to enjoy themselves together rather than spend the day in separate age groups. Think board games, card games, or a fun water sport, and make memories with the family.
Gnocchi Appetizers Served Chilled
Gnocchi only takes a couple of minutes to cook and can be left to sit and served at room temperature, as long as we’re talking about the right recipes. Since everyone loves pizza, Gnocchi Pizza Bites make a crowd-pleasing handheld snack that the little ones can enjoy.
Dip these bites into a ramekin of marinara sauce, or do the same but with a different gnocchi appetizer, such as Skillet Cheese Gnocchi with Tomato Basil Sauce. This is one of the simplest dishes you can make, which still has a highly satisfying outcome.
For a similar dish, but one that moves away from the tomato realm, and into the herbaceous world of pesto sauce, prepare this Cheese-Filled Skillet Gnocchi With a Creamy Pesto Dip. Alongside your creamy dip, you can even add another ramekin or two with the sauces of your choice for extra variety.
Tip – Put some music on: Have it playing in the background when guests arrive. Make sure it’s not simply playing from a laptop and that you actually have a good speaker. Music helps to set a positive mood, removes uncomfortable silences, and provides a soundtrack to the day.
Italian Appetizers
Traditional Italian appetizers bring elegance to the party, as well as culture and history, but in a way that guests can enjoy with their taste buds. One that’s simple and ideal for poolside snacking is this Skillet Gnocchi Antipasto Bites recipe. You can dip these into the sauce of your choice, from Alfredo to Pesto and even Tomato.
It’s hard to find an appetizer quite as classy in appearance as this Fresh Mozzarella & Tomato Crostini dish. The sauce for these is pesto, which works its vibrant and flavourful magic in every bite.
For more meal inspiration, come and visit our kitchen.