After the long months of winter's hearty fare, invite friends and family over to enjoy the awakening flavors of the new season. Springtime, with its promise of the coming warm weather, is the perfect time to bring authentic Italian ingredients together.

Plan a party with a theme centered on enjoying one of the most satisfying and passionately loved foods on the Italian menu — pasta!

Set the scene
Create the menu*
Prepare the cocktails

* Tasty Tip: Get authentic Italian flavor with Barilla Marinara sauce rated "Best Jarred Tomato Sauce Under $3" by Real Simple magazine!

Cooking pasta is easy — but using the right amount of water and choosing the right combination of pasta and sauce makes a difference in preparing the perfect pasta meal. Here are some rules for making pasta like a pro:

• Prepare pasta just before serving it. More>>
• Salt the water. More>>
• Add pasta and quickly return the pot to a boil. More>>
• Do not add oil to the water. More>>
• Follow cooking times on the package. More>>
• Drain pasta immediately after it's cooked. More>>
• Add sauce and serve immediately. More>>

Click here to view our pasta cooking video!

Spaghetti, the most famous variety of pasta, means "lengths of cord" in Italian. This extremely versatile and complimentary pasta is well suited to infinite sauce varieties. Gently roll Spaghetti with a fork to gather the pasta with the sauce for a taste sensation in every forkful. Try this Italian favorite in these recipes created by Barilla chefs:

• Spaghetti Carbonara Monferrina Style with Asparagus (Spaghetti Carbonara alla Monferrina con Asparagi)

• Spaghetti Rigati with Eggplant, Ricotta Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese and Olive Oil (Spaghetti Rigati con Melanzane, Ricotta, Mozzarella e Aglio)

• Spaghetti Rigati with Umbrian Sauce (Spaghetti Rigati con Salsa Umbra)

• Spaghetti with Shellfish (Spaghetti con Molluschi)

More Spaghetti recipes>>

Ingredients
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1 bulb fennel, trimmed and thinly sliced (include some feathery portion)
1 lb. medium shrimp, peeled, and deveined
1 tsp. dried oregano leaves
1 (26 oz.) jar BARILLA Marinara
1 tsp. fresh basil leaves, torn
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1 (16 oz.) box BARILLA Spaghetti

HEAT oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and fennel; sauté 2 to 4 minutes, or until fennel begins to soften.
ADD shrimp and oregano; sauté 5 to 8 minutes or until shrimp is cooked.
ADD Marinara Sauce, basil, salt and pepper; continue cooking 3 to 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated.
COOK Spaghetti according to package directions; drain.
PLACE hot Spaghetti on large serving platter; pour sauce over and serve.

Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Tip: Substitute 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano leaves for dried oregano.

	Stay tuned for recipes and entertaining ideas using the fresh, colorful vegetables of the season in the April e-newsletter. Find seasonal recipes now>>