Kids Pasta Recipe
In Your Choice of Butter, Alfredo Sauce, or Marinara Sauce
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Ingredients
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Pasta Base
Butter Version
Alfredo Version
Marinara Version
Optional Add-ins
Method
Pasta Base
- 1
Boil water
Bring 6 cups of water to a rolling boil in a medium pot over high heat. Add 1 tsp salt once water boils.
- 2
Cook pasta
Add 8 oz dried pasta to the boiling water and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, according to package directions until tender but not mushy (usually 7–10 minutes for elbows/shells).
- 3
Reserve pasta water
Before draining, scoop out and reserve 1/4 cup of the hot pasta cooking water. Drain pasta in a colander and return pasta to the pot off the heat.
Butter Version
- 4
Finish with butter
With the pot off the heat, add 2 tbs unsalted butter to the hot pasta. Stir until melted and evenly coats the noodles. If mixture seems dry, add up to 1–2 tbs of the reserved pasta water to loosen.
- 5
Add cheese and season
Stir in 2 tbs grated Parmesan and 1/4 tsp black pepper until combined. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve warm; top with extra Parmesan if desired.
Alfredo Version
- 6
Warm sauce
In a small saucepan over low heat, warm 1 cup Alfredo sauce and 1 tbs butter together, stirring gently until butter melts and sauce is smooth, about 2–3 minutes. Do not boil.
- 7
Combine with pasta
Pour warmed Alfredo sauce over the drained pasta in the pot. Stir to coat; add 1–2 tbs reserved pasta water if needed to reach a creamy consistency.
- 8
Finish
Stir in 2 tbs grated Parmesan. Serve immediately; sprinkle extra Parmesan to taste.
Marinara Version
- 9
Warm marinara
In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, warm 1 cup marinara sauce with 1 tsp olive oil and 1/4 tsp dried basil (if using) until heated through, about 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- 10
Combine with pasta
Pour warmed marinara over the drained pasta in the pot and toss to coat evenly. If sauce is too thick, stir in 1–2 tbs reserved pasta water to loosen.
- 11
Serve
Serve warm. Optionally top with extra grated Parmesan or a small pat of butter for kids who prefer milder flavor.
Optional Add-ins
- 12
If adding steamed peas or diced cooked chicken, stir them into the sauced pasta just before serving to warm through (about 1 minute). Adjust sauce quantity slightly if adding volume so noodles remain coated.