I’m pretty much always up for a girls’ night, and frankly, I need to do it more often! Getting together with the ladies is always a good time, but I’ve discovered something that makes it even better! Have you ever had a girls’ night catered? I hadn’t, but Macaroni Grill Catering reached out to me to offer a feature and it was life changing, for me and my girlfriends!
I love to entertain and have friends and family into my home, especially since I moved into my 1878 Victorian home with an awesome porch (about 20’x40′). I use any chance I get to host a gathering on my porch, weather permitted, and that’s just what I did last week before our big heat wave hit. Hosting can admittedly be a bit stressful between all the cooking and cleaning. Macaroni Grill Catering cut that stress in half (or more) because all I had to worry about was the cleaning. The food was completely covered, as well as the plates, utensils and cleanup made easy.
I was emailed a catering menu and all I had to do was send over my requests. The catering team was so helpful in helping me select the perfect dishes for my crowd, and offered up crowd pleasing suggestions! The food all came in aluminum pans, to keep the food warm, but depending on the engagement, the food may come in chafing dishes and Macaroni Grill can offer full service as well. Since our gathering was pretty low-key, we got the aluminum pans and the caterer set everything up on my service table and went on her way. Everything was disposable, which made for extremely easy cleanup!
My girlfriends were all in for a real treat, as most of them had never been to a catered girls’ night, and they loved every bit of it! I think I got major cool kid points, thanks to Romano’s Macaroni Grill!
Now for the amazing Macaroni Grill catering food choices we opted to have:
Full service catering packages come with rosemary peasant bread, but I couldn’t pass up the bruschetta, and I’m so glad I didn’t. I put a tray of the bruschetta on the center of the tables, and everyone LOVED it – especially the idea of ricotta + tomato mixture. YUM, and did I mention the audible groans I heard coming from the ladies as they ate this?
Because women like to add a salad to just about everything (so we can justify the dessert later), we had the caesar salad. Can’t go wrong here!
I opted to add a side of Roasted Vegetables, and they were also a big hit. These came with large slices of squash, zucchini, peppers and more. Great seasoning and grilled to perfection.
When I saw the Sun-dried Tomato Orzo on the menu, I instantly knew we had to have this. This was the first menu item I decided on, and I’m so glad too! This was amazing and I could eat this for days!
For our entrees, we had the Penne Rustica and Pollo Caprese. Out of the two, the Rustica was definitely the more popular dish. I’m so so happy the catering coordinator recommended this dish! The sauce is delicious, but also comes with pieces of chicken and shrimp – can’t go wrong!
The Pollo Caprese is basically grilled chicken, spinach and spaghetti. I ordered this in case there were any less adventurous ladies, or those who were watching their calories and didn’t want something creamy. The catered informed me this dish comes differently than it does in the restaurant, so as to preserve the spinach. The chicken and spinach come in one pan, and the spaghetti in another. In the restaurant, the entire dish is put together. I think some people didn’t realize these went together – which may have been my fault. There still weren’t any complaints, and were delicious separate or together!
For dessert we had the cheesecake and the chocolate cake, as I couldn’t decide between the two. They were both gobbled up equally and I’m wishing I had leftover chocolate cake!
Now that I’ve got you properly drooling over all the yummy food, I’m happy to share a Macaroni Grill giveaway of (2) $25 gift cards! That’s two winners, folks – for a greater chance at winning! The giveaway will end at 11:59pm PT on July 10th. To enter, fill out the form below, and be sure to complete the mandatory question first.
Lessie Purpera says
Thank you for the chance 🙂
Kari Burnside says
Looks great! Thanks
Cori Nadler says
It all looks so yummy!
Laurel says
The food looks amazing and your porch is the perfect getaway for the ladies. I wanna win!
Emily says
I would love to cater a dinner for my friends who will be visiting us from out of town. That looked like a fun ladies night
Amber says
I would love to have a reunion of my old college roommates catered by Macaroni Grill. We try to get together at least twice a year and cooking takes up way too much time!
Kat Balog says
I would love to have a girls night of my own. My friends and I rarely get to get together and I want to have a nice night in with them.
Jessica M says
I would use the gift card to have my sisters going away party catered. She loves their food and would love this.
Lois Christensen says
One of my favorite places to eat!
Tami Vollenweider says
My Son & daughter-in-law are finally getting to move back home after 6 years & this would be a great Welcome Home Party!
Kim Barnes says
My son’s 16th birthday party
Suzanne Hall says
I would love to have Macaroni Grill cater my two brothers’ birthday party – the oldest and youngest were both born on July 26 and we all love Macaroni Grill!
Nannypanpan says
Love it for my daughters dance recital
Denise C says
We’re having a team anniversary at work soon and we have a budget for lunch – this is a good idea!
sharon bontz says
this looks good. making me hungry.
Ashton says
After seeing you reunion photo, now I have to arrange a reunion of my college friends and cook this fantastic Macaroni Grill.
Myrna says
My sons birthday coming up.
Tee Anderson says
This would be great for my getting together with a couple of mom neighbors.
Starla says
All of that looks so delicious. I would love to have a catering at my work place for my supervisor that will be retiring soon!
Gina H. says
My Moms birthday.
Pam says
Thanks for the fabulous Macaroni Grill Gift Card Giveaway.
Diane Mason says
Love food when someone else cooks it!
Elisabeth perseverance schulz says
I’d love to cater a moms night out for my homeschool mom community!
Jody says
My 40th!!!
Carlos C says
Kids birthday this month!
Elizabeth Taylor says
Thanks for the chance
Melissa Shelton says
This would be great for my upcoming birthday!
Michelle Conkel says
I love the Macaroni Grill. I did not realize the extent of their catering menu. I will definitely use them for upcoming parties.
Dani says
Hi,
Are the photos and serving portion, the small one? Or large one?
Thanks Dani
Emily Buys says
Hi Dani, It’s been so long that I don’t recall. I do remember we served a crowd of about 12 and had some leftovers. Maybe enough to feed 15-18?