Jul 09 2026
RestaurantsThe Iowa TaproomItalian Feast Buffet Recipe

Italian Feast Buffet Recipe

Inspired by The Iowa Taproom
Time2h
Serves8

Includes cheese-stuffed shells (with marinara), chicken Parmesan, penne pasta (with Alfredo & Tuscan meat sauce), Caesar salad, and dinner rolls.

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Ingredients

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Cheese-Stuffed Shells

Penne Pasta with Alfredo & Tuscan Meat Sauce

Dinner Rolls

Method

Cheese-Stuffed Shells

  1. 1

    Prepare the Pasta

    Cook the jumbo pasta shells according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking.

  2. 2

    Make the Filling

    In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, fresh basil, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.

  3. 3

    Stuff the Shells

    Fill each cooked shell with the cheese mixture and place them in a greased baking dish.

  4. 4

    Add Marinara Sauce

    Pour marinara sauce over the stuffed shells, ensuring they are well covered.

  5. 5

    Bake

    Cover with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until bubbly and golden.

Chicken Parmesan

  1. 6

    Prepare the Chicken

    Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper.

  2. 7

    Bread the Chicken

    Dredge each chicken breast in flour, dip in beaten eggs, and coat with breadcrumbs.

  3. 8

    Fry the Chicken

    In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Fry chicken until golden brown on both sides, about 5-7 minutes per side.

  4. 9

    Assemble Chicken Parmesan

    Place fried chicken in a baking dish, top each piece with marinara sauce and sliced mozzarella cheese.

  5. 10

    Bake

    Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Penne Pasta with Alfredo & Tuscan Meat Sauce

  1. 11

    Cook the Pasta

    In a large pot, boil salted water and cook penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

  2. 12

    Make the Meat Sauce

    In a skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat until browned. Add minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir and cook for another 2-3 minutes.

  3. 13

    Prepare Alfredo Sauce

    In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, stirring until combined and heated through.

  4. 14

    Combine Sauces

    Mix the meat sauce with the Alfredo sauce, then add the cooked penne pasta. Stir until well coated.

  5. 15

    Serve

    Serve the penne pasta on a platter, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.

Caesar Salad

  1. 16

    Prepare the Lettuce

    Wash and chop the romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces.

  2. 17

    Mix the Salad

    In a large bowl, combine chopped lettuce, Caesar dressing, croutons, and Parmesan cheese. Toss until well coated.

  3. 18

    Season

    Add salt and pepper to taste and toss again.

  4. 19

    Serve

    Transfer the salad to a serving bowl and serve immediately.

Dinner Rolls

  1. 20

    Prepare the Dough

    In a large bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and sugar. Let it sit for 5 minutes until frothy.

  2. 21

    Make the Dough

    Add flour, salt, butter, and eggs to the yeast mixture. Mix until a dough forms.

  3. 22

    Knead the Dough

    Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

  4. 23

    Let it Rise

    Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a cloth, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.

  5. 24

    Shape and Bake

    Punch down the dough, shape into rolls, and place on a baking sheet. Let rise again for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 15-20 minutes until golden.

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