When choosing an Italian entree, keep in mind the overall theme of your meal as well as the types of dishes you want to serve. Consider whether you want the meal to be centered on pasta or a different ingredient, as well as what kind of sauce you want to use. If you’re serving one or more side dishes, think about how they’ll complement your Italian entree and make your selection accordingly. The amount of time you have to prepare a meal has a big influence on the dish you choose, because some entrees take a long time to prepare or bake.
An Italian entree is a dish that is usually served as a main course rather than an appetizer or side dish, and it may be the main attraction of your meal. Consider the type of food you want to serve as this is often a good place to start when planning a meal. If you have ground beef, consider spaghetti and meatballs or meat lasagna for your Italian entree. On the other hand, if you have some steaks on hand, a grilled steak with a mushroom sauce might be a better option.
Make sure that the other dishes you plan to serve with your Italian entree complement each other. If you’re going to serve a chicken Caesar salad as an appetizer, your main course should probably not be chicken. By balancing your dishes, you can create a cohesive meal that flows smoothly from beginning to end. Certain types of Italian entrees, such as raviolis in a cream sauce that doubles as gravy for the potatoes, may pair well with side dishes like roasted asparagus or garlic mashed potatoes.
There are also practical considerations to keep in mind when choosing an Italian entree, such as the ingredients you have on hand or the amount of time you have to prepare it. While you might want to make stuffed shells with Italian sausage as a main dish, you’ll need to have certain ingredients on hand. If you have time to go to the store for ingredients, you have a lot of options; otherwise, choose a dish for which you already have everything you need. The amount of time you have to prepare an Italian entree plays an important role in your decision. If you only have two hours before your guests arrive, don’t make a beef roast that needs to be slowly roasted for half a day.