If you're having a big crowd for Christmas dinner you may be struggling to come up with a dish that will wow everyone — especially if the majority of your guests are those tiny but tough food critics: kids.
Well, stop worrying! We've found 11 delicious and delightfully-colorful pasta dishes that are sure to please even the most discriminating palates at the kiddie table. And bonus: This way, you can enjoy your meal and eggnog in peace without trying to bribe your toddler to sample ham or turkey. Plus, it’s different and fun!
More from The Stir: Savor the Day With No-Worries Holiday Roast
These visually stunning dishes, like the gorgeous lasagne pictured above, are chock full of both red and green and can be served on their own, as first courses, or even as tempting sides. Check out our slideshow and then tell us: Do you have a go-to pasta recipe that's perfect for Christmas?
Image via GloriaGarcia/Flickr
Creamy Penne With Shrimp & Herbed Sauce
This penne with shrimp and herbed cream sauce not only tastes amazing, it makes a beautiful presentation. The brilliant green of fresh basil and parsley are a lovely contrast to the pale pink of the tomato sauce.
Rigatoni With Eggplant Puree
Non-meat eaters will love this rigatoni with eggplant puree. Toasted pine nuts sprinkled over the dish add a lovely rustic touch.
Pasta Twists With Peppers & Mozzarella
This pasta with red peppers and mozzarella is both colorful (it's topped with bright green arugula) and flavorful. Use the twisty pasta of your choice: rotini, fusilli, or gemelli, and enjoy!
Bow Ties & Broccoli
Make sure the kids get their veggies in this yummy broccoli and bow tie pasta dish. You can easily add shrimp or chicken if you think your guests would enjoy it.
Spinach Ravioli With Tomato Sauce
Those pressed for time (and who isn't? It's Christmas!!) will love this spinach ravioli with tomato sauce recipe because it calls for frozen pasta! Don't worry, the fresh homemade sauce is so delicious, no one will ever notice you didn't make the ravioli yourself.
Seafood Marinara Pasta
Seafood lovers won't be able to get enough of this delicious pasta dish. Shrimp and mussels served over spaghetti or linguine combine with thyme and oregano for a mouth-watering dinner perfect for Christmas.
Fusilli With Spinach, Ricotta, & Golden Raisins
Creamy ricotta melts in your mouth in this flavorful pasta dish. Spinach gives it a rich hue and plenty of vitamins, while golden raisins add a nice sweetness guests of all ages will love.
Tempting Tri-Color Pesto Rotini
Talk about an easy and colorful entree! This tri-color rotini dish is good and good for you. Packed full of red and green peppers, carrots and sun-dried tomatoes, it's a beautiful addition to any holiday table.
Chicken-Broccoli Mac & Cheese With Bacon
Who doesn't love mac and cheese? This dish, with chicken and broccoli, also includes bacon! Just when you thought it couldn't get any better!
Baked Ziti
Baked ziti is a great holiday dish for so many reasons! You can make it ahead of time. It feeds a large crowd without breaking the bank. It tastes amazing. We could go on and on.
