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pasta for kids on the serving plate

Pasta For Kids / Easy and Quick Pasta Recipe

By Jigna
This Pasta For Kids recipe is fuss-free, requires only a few ingredients, and is easy and quick. It is a simple dish made without pasta sauce but very flavorful and cheesy!
5 from 8 votes
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Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Cuisine Italian
Course Main Course, Side Dish
Diet Eggless, Vegetarian
Servings 4

Video

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups pasta (I have used rotini pasta)
  • Water to boil pasta
  • Salt to taste
  • 2 teaspoon olive oil
  • 2 large tomatoes finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon paprika powder
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • A pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook al dente or according to the instructions on the package.
  • Meanwhile, Warm olive oil in a large skillet and add chopped tomatoes. Mix well, and add a pinch of salt, paprika powder, cayenne pepper, dried oregano, and dried basil. Mix well and cook until tomatoes are soft.
  • Once pasta is cooked, remove pasta from the pot with a slotted spoon and add straight to the tomato mixture. You may have to do it several times, depending on the slotted spoon size. Reserve the pasta water, as we will later add this water to the pasta.
  • Mix the pasta with the tomato mixture. Add both the cheese and mix well. Add 2-3 tablespoon of reserved pasta water to the tomato-pasta mixture. If your pasta looks dry, you can add more pasta water.
  • Cook for 3-4 minutes or until cheese is melted. Season the pasta with freshly ground black pepper and crushed red pepper. Serve hot.

Serving Suggestions

  • This recipe is definitely for kids, but it can be served as a side dish for everyone.
  • Or, this pasta is suitable for a quick and lighter lunch.
  • You can also make this pasta for a lazy dinner night.
  • It is perfect for a lunch box for school.

Notes

  1. Pasta: I have used tri-colored rotini pasta for this recipe. But you can use your favorite pasta. I also sometimes use bow-tie pasta instead of rotini with the same recipe. Do not boil and drain the pasta in advance. For the best taste, boil the pasta when you plan to make the dish. Drain with a slotted spoon once the pasta is cooked, and add directly to the tomato mixture.
  2. Pasta Stock: After boiling the pasta, reserve some water for adding to the pasta dish.
  3. Herbs and Spices: Take the recipe as a guide and season the pasta with your choice of herbs and spices. You can use fresh herbs if available.
  4. Cheese: Instead of cheddar and mozzarella cheese, you can use your choice of cheese blend. Or add only cheddar cheese to the pasta.
  5. Vegetables: I make this pasta dish with only tomatoes and do not add other vegetables. But you can add some vegetables if you like. You can add vegetables such as carrots, bell peppers, celery, baby spinach, broccoli, zucchini, etc.

Nutrition (Approximate Values)

Calories : 391kcalCarbohydrates : 36gProtein : 19gFat : 19gSaturated Fat : 10gPolyunsaturated Fat : 1gMonounsaturated Fat : 5gCholesterol : 50mgSodium : 365mgPotassium : 226mgFiber : 2gSugar : 2gVitamin A : 788IUVitamin C : 4mgCalcium : 361mgIron : 1mg
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