These Homemade Spaghettios are a nostalgic copycat of the childhood classic. Made from less than 10 simple ingredients in under 30 minutes, this recipe is just as easy to make as the original version!
Jump to:
📋 About the Recipe
- Full of nostalgia. This recipe brings back memories of cracking open a can of Spaghettios after a long day at school. It was the easiest lunch or snack, perfect for curbing hunger in a matter of minutes, just like this homemade alphabet soup too. This copycat version is equally fast and satisfying!
- Easy to make. These homemade spaghettios can be made in under 30 minutes, but taste a little more upscale than the canned kind. Serve them alongside these homemade dinosaur chicken nuggets or as a side dish to any of your favorite foods.
- Simple ingredients. With less than 10 pantry ingredients and NO dicing or chopping, this recipe can be made with minimal prep work.
- Fully customizable. As a kid, I loved the classic Spaghettios but if you preferred the kind with the meatballs, you can add your favorite meatballs (or any other protein) to this recipe too! Try it with these ground chicken meatballs for some added lean protein.
🛒 Ingredients
A few notes about the ingredients:
- Unsalted butter: Butter adds a richer flavor, similar to the original version. I like to use unsalted butter so I can adjust the salt according to my own taste.
- Vegetable broth: Using a combination of vegetable broth and tomato paste creates a tomato soup-type of sauce. To make this recipe have a similar texture as the canned version, I opted out of a marinara-style sauce and created a more nostalgic, brothier sauce instead.
- Simple seasonings: I kept the seasonings simple to mirror the flavors of the classic Spaghettios. You can add additional Italian seasonings, onion or garlic powder, and salt if you desire.
- O-shaped pasta: Also called "Anellini Siciliani," this shape of pasta is round with a hole in the center. It is the most iconic representation of the Spaghettios I grew up eating, but you can use any small shape of pasta you like.
⁉️ Substitutions and Alterations
- Seasonings: If you like some added flavor, you can add additional italian seasonings, fresh garlic, or crushed red pepper for added heat.
- Can't find Anellini Siciliani? I bought my pasta on Amazon, but you can easily substitute this pasta shape for another small pasta, like orzo, ditalini pasta, or small shells.
- Want to add protein? Easily add your favorite proteins, like simply seasoned chicken, meatballs, or some steamed broccoli.
📓 Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted water according to package instructions, but undercook it by 1 to 2 minutes.
- Heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Add tomato paste and butter. Stir until the butter has melted.
- Carefully pour in vegetable broth, dried oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, and kosher salt. Whisk to blend the tomato paste into the broth.
- Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook, uncovered, for 10 minutes.
- Turn off the heat. Add pasta and parmesan cheese to the sauce. Stir to combine.
- Serve as a side dish to your favorite proteins and veggies.
❄️ How to Store
To store: Allow Homemade Spaghettios to cool completely before adding to an airtight container and storing in the refrigerator up to 5 days.
To freeze: Freezing is not recommended.
To reheat: Add spaghettios to a microwave safe dish. Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring in between, until warmed through.
You can also add Spaghettios to a pot on the stovetop and heat through. However, you may need to add a little more broth so they don't dry out.
🔍 Recipe FAQs
According to their website, canned, store-bought spaghettios are made with water, tomato puree, pasta, high fructose corn syrup, modified cheddar cheese, and modified butter, amongst other ingredients.
This homemade version is made with simple pantry staples, like tomato paste, vegetable broth, dried oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, and parmesan cheese.
I bought my pasta on Amazon. Your local Italian market might carry this pasta shape, but I had a hard time finding it at my local grocery store. You can use another small pasta shape if you prefer that instead.
I like serving them as a side dish!
To complete the meal, serve with any of these proteins:
- Dinosaur Chicken Nuggets
- Panko Chicken
- Greek Chicken Meatballs
- Skillet Chicken Breasts
- Spicy Meatballs
- Smoked Shrimp
and any of these vegetables:
- Strawberry Cucumber Salad
- Maple Balsamic Brussels Sprouts
- Roasted Green Beans and Carrots
- Air Fryer Bell Peppers
- Steamed Broccoli
💭 One More Tip
Make sure to slightly undercook the pasta, so it doesn't overcook and turn mushy when you add it to the sauce! Cook about 1 to 2 minutes less than the package instructions so the pasta can finish cooking in the sauce without turning too soft.
🍴 Related Recipes
Share your cooking with me! If you make this recipe, I'd love to know! Tag @yourhomemadehealthy on Instagram or leave a comment with a rating and some feedback at the bottom of this page!
Homemade Spaghettios
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cups low sodium vegetable broth
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cups O-shaped pasta, "anellini siciliani"
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted water according to package instructions, but undercook it by 1 to 2 minutes.
- Heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Add tomato paste and butter. Stir until the butter has melted.
- Pour in vegetable broth, dried oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, and kosher salt. Whisk to blend the tomato paste into the broth.
- Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook, uncovered, for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Turn off the heat. Add pasta and parmesan cheese to the sauce. Stir to combine.
- Serve hot with your favorite protein and vegetables.
Notes
- Make sure to slightly undercook the pasta so it doesn't overcook in the sauce!
- Add any of your favorite proteins to the spaghettios. Meatballs are a great option.
Nutrition
Want more recipes like this delivered right to your inbox? Be sure to subscribe above and never miss a thing!
Comments
No Comments