It’s likely that If you were born in the 80’s or 90’s you grew up eating spaghettios. These spaghetti rings in a sweet tomato sauce were a staple in my childhood diet, but I have yet to introduce them to my kids.
While I have no problem leaning on the convenience of canned foods (there’s always a time and place for all foods), I figured I’d give homemade spaghettios a try so my own kids could indulge in this nostalgic entree with a nutritional boost.
These one pot homemade spaghettios are easy to make, use simple ingredients, plus offer a boost of protein for picky eaters.
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Healthy Spaghettios – is it possible?
As I mentioned before, there’s nothing wrong with leaning on the convenience of canned foods. It can be extremely helpful to have a backup can of tomato soup or spaghettio’s to easily whip up when you’re short on time or waiting until your next grocery run.
When you do have the time or energy, making a homemade version of your childhood favorites can be a great way to control what ingredients you’re using and add more value.
When it comes to this homemade spaghettio recipe compared to Campbell’s Original Spaghetti O’s there’s triple the amount of protein in the homemade version, less sugar, and one more gram of fiber.
The impressive protein boost is due to both the beef bone broth and shredded cheddar cheese.
However no recipe is perfect. The homemade spaghettios have more calories, fat, and sodium than the store bought brand. This is because the homemade recipe uses more shredded cheese, and a little bit of butter too.
You can minimize the calories, fat, and sodium by adding half the amount of cheese and using no salt added tomato sauce.
| Per 1 Cup | Homemade Spaghettios | Campbell’s Spaghetti Os |
| Calories | 375 | 170 |
| Fat | 16.5 g | 1 g |
| Sodium | 1000 mg | 600 mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 40 g | 33 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 4 g | 3 g |
| Total Sugars | 8 g | 12 g |
| Includes Added Sugar | 3 g | 6 g |
| Protein | 18 g | 6 g |
| Iron | 1.2 mg | 1.5 mg |
Ingredients in Spaghettios Homemade
The ingredients for this homemade spaghettios are pretty basic and you may already have all of them on hand.
Once you see how easy it is to make homemade spaghettios, you may never go back to the canned spaghettios you once knew as a child.
Spaghetti Rings
These spaghetti rings are what give spaghettios its iconic name. If you can’t find the spaghetti rings, you can use any pasta you’d like with this cheesy tomato sauce.
Personally, I think alphabet pasta is so fun and a great way to engage your kids at mealtimes by asking them to find certain letters. Alphabet pasta is also great for soup too!
Tomato Sauce
Tomato sauce is essentially just pureed tomatoes with water and different seasonings. Look for the low sodium variety to help drastically decrease the sodium in this recipe. You’ll barely taste the difference.
Tomato Paste
I like to use tomato paste in the squeeze tube and store in my refrigerator because it always seems like I never use a full amount of even a small can of tomato paste.
You can also freeze your tomato paste into 1 tbsp portions in plastic wrap to easily pull out as needed.
Bone Broth
I used Kettle and Fire Beef Bone Broth for these homemade spaghettios. I was gifted product from the company because I’ve worked with them in the past.
I occasionally like to use bone broth to boil pasta and add extra protein, flavor, and creaminess. It works great for boiling your pasta for macaroni and cheese!
You can find bone broth in the soup section of your local grocery store.
You can certainly use water or regular broth instead of bone broth, however there won’t be quite as much protein in the final product.
And remember not to drain your spaghetti rings. You use the valuable leftover bone broth in the recipe!
Cheddar Cheese
I’ve broken into a season of life where I am loving shredding my own cheese using block cheese. However, feel free to save some time and dishes and use pre shredded cheese.
Honey
The honey in this recipe is optional, however it does give the recipe just a touch of sweetness that adds to the nostalgic flavor of the original spaghettio’s.
Seasonings
The seasonings used in this recipe include garlic powder, onion powder, salt, paprika, and Italian seasoning.
Opt for the garlic and onion powders over salt to minimize sodium without jeopardizing flavor.
Equipment for Homemade Spaghettios
- Measuring spoons
- Measure cups
- Large, nonstick saute pan or dutch oven with lids
- Cheese grater, optional
How to make Homemade Spaghettios
Have you ever gone to make a homemade version of one of your favorite store bought foods, only to be left disappointed, exhausted, and left with a sink full of dishes?
Well, this isn’t one of those recipes. These homemade spaghettios can be made in one pot, with simple ingredients, and minimal clean up – including the plates your kids will lick clean because it’s so good!
Here’s how you make homemade spaghettios.
Boil Pasta in Bone Broth
Pour one 16.9 fl oz container of Kettle and Fire beef bone broth into a large sauté pan and bring to a simmer. Next you’ll add your spaghetti rings, cover with a lid, and simmer for approximately 5 to 7 minutes, or until pasta is al dente.
Keep whatever leftover bone broth is in the pan. This will add to the creaminess of the dish.
Add the Rest of the Ingredients
From here you’ll add the rest of the ingredients, except for the shredded cheese – save that for last. Once the mixture simmers for roughly five minutes you can add the shredded cheese, giving it a good stir until it’s completely melted.
Variations
These homemade spaghettio’s are good enough not to change up, however there are two fun ways to mix it up.
Try adding meatballs for a spin on the spaghettio’s and meatballs you enjoyed as a kid. I love using Simeks mini meatballs – they’re the perfect size!
You can also try making homemade spaghettio’s with alphabet pasta! This makes for a fun and engaging mealtime experience where you can ask your kids to search for different letters and even practice spelling.
Why Homemade Spaghettios are Great for Picky Eaters
Homemade spaghettio’s are a great option for picky eaters for several reasons.
- They can get involved by helping make it!
- It’s a fun and different type of pasta
- Comes with a boost of protein
Trying new recipes isn’t always easy for kids, especially picky eaters. That’s why getting them involved and always including a preferred food with meals is helpful in creating a positive experience, rather than leaving them anxious and still hungry.
Can You Freeze Spaghettios?
I don’t recommend freezing homemade spaghettios. Pasta in general is difficult to freeze while retaining the quality and texture. The spaghetti rings in this recipe are so small, that it makes it even harder to freeze.
Homemade spaghettios are best eaten fresh, but can also be eaten as leftovers over the next few days!
How to Store and Reheat Spaghettios
Whatever homemade spaghettios you don’t devour, you can store in an airtight container in the fridge for three to five days – if they last that long!
To reheat the spaghettio’s simply add them to a microwave safe dish, and microwave for 30 to 60 second increments until heated through.
It’s best to microwave the spaghettios in a thin layer and stir throughout to ensure it gets heated all the way through.
You can also reheat your spaghettios on the stove top on medium low heat until heated through.
Sometimes leftover pasta dishes can lose the liquid and their creaminess. Simply add a little more bone broth, tomato sauce, or even milk or water to thin it out.
What to Serve With Homemade Spaghettios
This dish packs in grains, veggies (tomato sauce, yes!), and protein (cheese and bone broth) so it certainly can be eaten on it’s own and cover many nutritional bases. However, every meal is an opportunity to expose your family to other foods, including more fruits and veggies in their whole form.
- Fresh fruit
- Fresh veggies
- Buttered bread – a classic
- Green beans
- Roasted broccoli
- Side salad
Other Recipes You’ll Love
The Best English Muffin Pizza Recipe
One Pot Homemade Spaghettios
Equipment
- Measuring spoons
- Measuring cups
- Large sauté pan with lid or Dutch oven
- Cheese grater optional
Ingredients
- 16.9 oz Beef bone broth
- 32 oz Tomato sauce
- 2 Tbsp Tomato paste
- 1/4 tsp Garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp Onion powder
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 Tbsp Honey optional
- 2 Tbsp Butter
- 2 cups Cheddar cheese shredded
- 2 cups Spaghetti rings or alphabet pasta
Instructions
- Bring bone broth to a simmer in a sauté pan. Add spaghetti rings and continue to simmer on medium-low, covered until pasta is al dente – approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Keep leftover bone broth liquid in the pan.
- Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, spices, honey (optional) and butter to spaghetti rings. Let mixture simmer for five minutes.
- Add shredded cheese and stir until well combined and melted while on low heat.
