Perfect portions every time.
The USDA defines one serving of dry pasta as 56g (2 oz), but this is conservative — most adults eat 85-115g as a main course. Italian tradition suggests 80-100g per person. Children typically eat 40-60g. As a side dish, 55-60g is appropriate. The sauce-to-pasta ratio matters: light sauces (aglio e olio, olive oil based) need about 60mL per person, while hearty sauces (Bolognese, puttanesca) need 100-120mL per person. One jar of commercial sauce (680g) typically serves 4-6 people. Tip for perfect sauce adhesion: finish cooking pasta in the sauce for the last 1-2 minutes, adding starchy pasta water as needed to create a silky emulsion.