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.

I grew up in the 90’s – prime time for processed food to make life easier. SpaghettiOs were a staple in our house. We had a baby sitter that made it for us with chopped hot dogs every time she watched us.

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.

A few weeks ago I was looking for easy pre-made foods I could keep on hand for emergencies. I fully believe in balance. Sometimes 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!

Bonus: it includes a bit of sneaky carrots, so you’re getting a veggie in with this kid friendly dish!

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?

Time needed: 10 minutes.

How to make copycat SpaghettiOs:

Cook your pasta.
This is when having pre cooked pasta on hand comes in handy! When I know a busy week is coming, I love to prep some and keep in the fridge.
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.
Make the sauce.
Mix the sauce ingredients together and cook on medium until bubbling and the butter is melted.
I like to use 1/2 cup of carrot puree here because it’s a perfect spot to hide veggies. But I’ve also tried with without and it’s just as good.
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!

Homemade SpaghettiOs Recipe

This recipe is a better for you take on a childhood favorite. Homemade spaghettios 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!

4.1 from 10 votes

Homemade Spaghettios 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

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

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

Got a picky eater?

My kids eat their veggies every day without complaining. Want my secret?

Grab the Outsmart your Picky Eater cheat sheets to get the inside scoop on how to add veggies to food your kids already love.

Homemade Spaghettios with Hidden Veggies