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Homemade Spaghettios – Kid Friendly and Healthy!

November 14, 2020 By Morgan Last Updated: November 14, 2020

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Homemade SpaghettiOs are an easy kid friendly meal that can be made in a few minutes. Skip the cann and try this copycat recipe! No funky ingredients and a few hidden veggies make for this super simple picky eater recipe.

pinable image showing a bowl of homemade spaghettios

I grew up in the 90’s – prime time for processed food to make life easier. SpaghettiOs were a staple in our house.

And man, did we love it! Something about those tomato-y noodles that tasted just like the tomato soup made from the same company was magic.

While I love homemade, healthy options, sometimes you need something quick. That includes making boxed mac and cheese healthier or digging out a can of SpaghettiOs.

But when I looked at the can, I was not on board.

What is in SpaghettiOs?

It’s what I asked that made me try to find my own copycat recipe. It also made me cringe just looking at it.

WATER, TOMATO PUREE (WATER, TOMATO PASTE), ENRICHED PASTA (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, FERROUS SULFATE, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID), HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF: SALT, ENZYME MODIFIED CHEDDAR CHEESE (CHEDDAR CHEESE [CULTURED MILK, SALT, ENZYMES, CALCIUM CHLORIDE], WATER, DISODIUM PHOSPHATE, ENZYMES), FLAVORING, POTASSIUM CHLORIDE, VEGETABLE OIL (CORN, COTTONSEED, CANOLA, AND/OR SOYBEAN), ENZYME MODIFIED BUTTER, SKIM MILK, PAPRIKA EXTRACT, CITRIC ACID, ONION EXTRACT.”

That’s from the Campbell’s website. Eeek!

So instead of giving my kids this childhood favorite, I decided to try making my own. And I was pleasantly surprised at how simple and how quick it was!

Not sure how to make it? Check out this post on how to make veggie purees!

a close up of ditalini pasta covered in homemade spaghettio sauce
This copycat Spaghettios recipe comes together in just a few minutes if the pasta is already cooked. Start with 2 cups of cooked noodles when adding and keeping adding pasta until you have the right pasta to sauce ratio.

So, how do you make homemade SpaghettiOs?

This super simple copycat recipe takes just a few steps but tastes so good!

Step one: Cook your pasta

SpaghettiOs traditionally use anellini pasta, but it can be hard to find in stores. Really, any pasta will work. I used ditalini here, but ABC or stars would be fun.

Step two: Make the sauce.

Mix the sauce ingredients together and cook on medium until bubbling and the butter is melted. Seriously, it’s that easy.

I like to use 1/2 cup of carrot puree here because it’s a perfect spot to hide veggies. Similar to my hidden veggie spaghetti sauce, it adds a bit of sweetness and a punch of nutrients.

Step three: Stir in the pasta.

Start with about 2 cups of pasta. The “optimal” amount really depends on how much sauce to pasta you want. Serve and enjoy!

a spoon holding homemade spaghettios with the bowl full in the background
Add carrot puree to this recipe to make it a hidden veggie recipe for kids!

What to serve with DIY Spaghettios?

These homemade Spaghettios can be served as a dish aone, or with other foods. Here are some we love.

  • With hidden veggie meatballs.
  • Cut up hot dogs.
  • With a side of veggies, like my roasted broccoli.
  • Veggies and this healthy dip recipe.

Homemade SpaghettiOs Recipe

This recipe is a better for you take on a childhood favorite. Homemade spaghettios can include carrot puree to add some extra hidden veggies and no weird ingredients. Bonus: it comes together in minutes!

If you enjoy this recipe, please remember to vote 5 stars! It helps others find it, and makes my day!

a spoon holding homemade spaghettios with the bowl full in the background
3.62 from 70 votes
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Homemade Spaghettios Recipe

Homemade SpaghettiOs are an easy kid friendly meal that can be made in a few minutes. Skip the canned variety and try this copycat recipe! No funky ingredients and a few hidden veggies make for this super simple picky eater recipe.

Course Dinner, Lunch, Soup
Cuisine American, Kid friendly
Keyword copycat, pasta
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 270 kcal
Author Morgan

Ingredients

  • 15 oz can tomato sauce
  • 3 tablespoons grated cheese see notes
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1/2 cup carrot puree (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon sweetener
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon powdered onion
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • Salt to taste
  • Cooked pasta

Instructions

  1. In a small saucepan, add the sauce ingredients, other than the pasta and salt.
  2. Bring to a simmer, whisking constantly until butter is melted and sauce is bubbling.
  3. Add to pasta and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

  • I’ve used parmesan cheese as well as sharp cheddar. American would work as well!
  • Sweetener – you can use sugar, honey, maple syrup, or whatever you like. I’ve found sugar and have the best taste.
  • Traditionally, you’d want to use Anellini pasta, but it’s hard to find in stores. The closest you’ll find in most stores is ditalini, which I used here. You can also use ABC pasta, star pasta.. whatever makes you happy!
  • Start with 2 cups of pasta in the sauce. I used a whole box of ditalini, but the coverage of sauce to pasta was less than canned Spaghettios.
Nutrition Facts
Homemade Spaghettios Recipe
Amount Per Serving (1 g)
Calories 270 Calories from Fat 57
% Daily Value*
Fat 6.28g10%
Saturated Fat 3.3g21%
Trans Fat 0.19g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.77g
Monounsaturated Fat 1.6g
Cholesterol 13mg4%
Sodium 84mg4%
Potassium 315mg9%
Carbohydrates 49g16%
Fiber 6.8g28%
Sugar 2.7g3%
Protein 5.5g11%
Vitamin A 3000IU60%
Vitamin C 5.8mg7%
Calcium 30mg3%
Iron 0.9mg5%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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  • Hidden Veggie Recipes Your Kids Will Love
  • Copycat Cheez Its
  • 15 Minute Pizza Chicken

Filed Under: 30 minute meals, Dinner, Lunch, Picky Eaters

Comments

  1. J says

    July 1, 2020 at 4:12 pm

    5 stars
    Two picky eaters loved this!
    I juiced carrots, yellow and orange bell peppers, cherries, kale and spinach for the 1/2 cup vegetable purée. I also increased the sweetener to 2 Tablespoons. It turned out perfect, my picky eaters did not suspect any vegetables but they ate them! Tastes exactly like the processed brand name without all the added preservatives, awesome healthy version and easy to make

    Reply
    • Morgan says

      July 6, 2020 at 6:56 am

      Oh gosh!! This totally made my day – so glad your kiddos loved it as much as mine!! Hidden veggies for the win!

  2. Susana says

    September 21, 2020 at 2:53 am

    So I have a question? What tomato sauce did you use? Really want to make this for my picky eater.

    Reply
    • Morgan says

      September 26, 2020 at 5:52 am

      Hey Susana! I usually just grab whatever is on sale at the grocery store. You’ll find it with the canned tomatoes. It’s just tomato sauce, not crushed or diced, etc.

  3. Morgan says

    October 28, 2020 at 3:27 pm

    Hey Carol! The only thing that babies under 1 cannot have is honey and high amounts of sodium. If you baby doesn’t have a milk allergy, this is great for them!

    Reply

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