Kid-friendly pasta recipes
Looking for kid-friendly pasta recipes? Here are 8 tested ideas to cook tonight. Each one keeps to everyday ingredients and a single skillet or sheet pan where possible, with rough prep and cook times so you can pick by how much time you have. Prefer to cook with exactly what's on your shelf? Tell Cache & Cook what you have and it drafts a recipe free.
Buttery Garlic Noodles with Crispy Breadcrumb Topping
15 min Serves 4weeknightvegetariankid-friendly
Buttery Garlic Pasta with Peas and Lemon
15 min Serves 4weeknightkid-friendlyvegetarian
Fiery Dragon Pasta with Crispy Garlic & Kick
15 min Serves 4weeknightkid-friendlyitalian
Buttery Garlic Pasta with Peas and Parmesan
15 min Serves 4weeknightkid-friendlyvegetarian
Creamy Tomato & Butter Pasta with Crispy Bread Crumbs
20 min Serves 4weeknightitalian-inspiredkid-friendly
Sunshine Lemon Pasta with Buttery Garlic Breadcrumbs
15 min Serves 4weeknightkid-friendlyvegetarian
Buttery Noodles with Crispy Breadcrumb Topping
20 min Serves 4kid-friendlyweeknightvegetarian
Buttery Pasta with Garden Peas and Lemon
15 min Serves 4weeknightvegetariankid-friendly
More ideas
Common questions
- Can I use whole wheat pasta instead of regular pasta in kid-friendly recipes?
- Yes, whole wheat pasta works great and adds more fiber, though it has a slightly nuttier taste that some kids prefer mixed with regular pasta at first (try a 50/50 blend). Cook it for the same time as regular pasta, checking a minute or two earlier since brands vary.
- How long can I store leftover cooked pasta in the refrigerator?
- Cooked pasta keeps for 3-4 days in an airtight container when refrigerated properly. You can also freeze it for up to 2 months—just toss it with a bit of oil to prevent sticking, and reheat gently with a splash of water.
- What are some cheap, kid-friendly pasta toppings that aren't tomato sauce?
- Butter and parmesan, olive oil with garlic and herbs, creamy cheese sauce, or browned ground meat are all budget-friendly and appeal to kids. Mixing in vegetables like peas, corn, or finely chopped carrots is an easy way to boost nutrition without extra expense.
- How can I make pasta dishes healthier without kids noticing?
- Blend cooked vegetables like cauliflower or zucchini into creamy sauces, use whole wheat or vegetable-based pasta, or sneak in finely minced vegetables into meat-based sauces. You can also use Greek yogurt instead of some cream to add protein and creaminess with less fat.