The full italian dinner party starts with antipasti(appetizers), followed by a primo (first course), which could be a pasta dish, a risotto or a soup.

Then follows the secondo (second course) with contorno (side dish).

You can choose to go for the full monty or just limit yourself to three courses. As you noticed, there's no "main course": primo and secondo are equally important.

Almost every dish is suitable for a buffet party, although I'm strongly against pastas or risottos in a buffet.

Here's a by no means complete list of what might be available for you. What is actually available depends on your wishes, the season and the limited quantities of small scale produced regional specialities.

::: V: Vegetarian; Vg: Vegan; Gf: Gluten Free :::

• - Pinzimonio (seasonal raw veg. in an EV Olive oil and balsamic vinegar dip.) *Vg*
• - My own Sundried Tomatoes *Vg*
• - Meat Crostini
• - Cheese Crostini *Vg*
• - Pate Crostini
• - Finocchiona
• - Prosciutto di Parma
• - Coppa di Parma
• - Speck
• - Capicollo
• - Roast peppers *V,Vg*
• - Zucchine Alla Scapece *Vg*
• - Zucca In Carpione (Marinated Pumpkin) *Vg*
• - Pizzette (tiny pizzas) *V*
• - Farinata (Ligurian Chickpea Bake) *Vg, Gf*
• - Cozze Gratinate (Gratin Of Mussels) *Vg, Gf*
• - Spuma di Trota o Salmone (trout or Salmon mousse)

• - Bucatini All'Amatriciana (with the real ingredients)
• - Bucatini all' Origano (Bucatini with Oregano) *Vg*
• - Hove Mussels
• - Linguine Ai frutti di mare (Seafood Linguine)
• - Linguine Alla Zoe (with local mackerels, capers and cherry tomatoes)
• - Linguine con Sugo Di Pesce (Fish Linguine)
• - Pasta Al Forno *V*
• - Ravioli (Homemade Ravioli)
• - Rigatoni Con le Melanzane (Rigatoni with aubergines)*V, Vg*
• - Risotto Con gli Asparagi (Asparagus risotto)*V, Vg*
• - Risotto Alla Milanese *V, Vg*
• - Risotto Con i Piselli *V, Vg*
• - Risotto Con le fragole (Strawberry Risotto) *V, Vg*
• - Risotto Alla Milanese *V, Vg*
• - Spaghetti Alla Carbonara (with the real ingredients, which means NO CREAM!!!)
• - Spaghetti All' Amatriciana (with real guanciale, not bacon!)
• - Spaghetti alla Checca (fresh tomato, oregano, chili peppers) *Vg*
• - Spaghetti con Zucchine (Courgette Spaghetti) *V,Vg*
• - Pasta e Ceci (Pasta & Chickpea Soup) *V, Vg*
• - Pasta e Fagioli (Pasta & Beans Soup) *V, Vg*
• - Zuppa Di Zucca (Creamy Pumpkin Soup) *Vg*
• - Zuppa Alla Pavese (Stock, Crostini, Egg) *V*
• - Zuppa Di Pesce (Fish and seafood Stew)

• - Asparagi Alla Parmigiana *V*
• - Parmigiana di Melanzane *V*
• - Finocchi Gratinati (Fennel Gratin) *V*
• - Flan di Cavolfiori *V*
• - Insalata Di Riso (Rice Salad)
• - Coniglio In Umido Con Polenta (Rabbit Stew with Polenta)
• - Polenta con formaggi (Polenta with a selecton of regional cheeses) *V*
• - Agnello Alla Milanese (Lamb cutlets in breadcrumbs)
• - Agnello Al Vino Rosso (Lamb braised in Red Wine)
• - Saltimbocca Alla Romana

• - Ratatuja (Mixed roast vegetables) *Vg*
• - Oven Roast Peppers *Vg*
• - Oven Roast Leeks *Vg*
• - Oven roast Cherry Tomatoes *Vg*
• - Carote al Burro (Carrots soaked in milk and pan fried with butter) *V*
• - Bwoccoli *V,Vg*
• - Piselli e Prosciutto (Peas And Ham) *V*
• - Green Salad in Italian dressing

• - Arance caramellate *Vg* (Caramelized Oranges)
• - Tiramisù (Tiramisù)
• - Cantucci Con Vin Santo (Tuscan cookies with sweet "holy" wine)
• - Salame Di Cioccolato e Crema di Mascarpone