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    Easy Homemade SpaghettiOs

    April 4, 2024

    Homemade spaghettiOs when you could just open a can? No, we’re not out of our minds. One rich, cheesy bite, and you’ll get it.

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    a bowl of homemade spaghettiOs made with tomato paste, butter, spices, tomato sauce, chicken stock, cream and parmesan
    Photography by Gayle McLeod

    Homemade Spaghettios

    Featuring the very same ‘O’ pasta shape as our Italian Meatball Soup this nostalgic homemade spaghettios recipe is easy and yes — uh oh! — it knocks the OG spaghettiOs out of the water. Serve this ultimate kid-friendly dinner with simple Steamed Broccoli and Garlic Bread. Or honor it as a truly grown-up spaghettios recipe by serving it with Roasted Asparagus. If you’re in the mood for an even simpler spaghetti sauce than this rich, buttery one, check out our Homemade Marinara Sauce.

    pasta, tomato paste, butter, spices, tomato sauce, chicken stock, heavy cream and Parmesan in prep bowls to make spaghettios

    Copycat SpaghettiOs Ingredients

    • O shaped pasta, usually you’ll find it labeled “Anellini pasta rings.”

    • Tomato paste

    • Butter

    • Italian seasoning

    • Garlic powder

    • Onion powder

    • Salt & pepper

    • Canned tomato sauce

    • Chicken stock (or, substitute vegetable stock if you want to make vegetarian spaghettios)

    • Heavy cream

    • Parmesan, plus more for serving

    tomato paste, butter, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper in a pot
    tomato paste, butter, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper in a pot
    chicken broth being added to a pot with tomato paste, butter, spices and tomato sauce,
    O shaped pasta noodles being added to homemade spaghettiO sauce

    How To Make Easy, Cheesy SpaghettiOs

    1. Make a flavorful base for the spaghettiOs sauce: Melt together butter and tomato paste in a large pot. Season with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper

    2. Sauce-ify! Pour in tomato sauce, stock and water and bring the mixture to a boil. Add the pasta. Cooking the pasta IN the sauce is what gives this recipe a real spaghettiOs vibe.

    3. Stir constantly (use your favorite wooden spoon) and simmer until the O pasta shapes are tender and the sauce has thickened. It should look like, well, spaghettiOs!

    4. Finish. Stir in the heavy cream and the Parmesan (grated freshly with a microplane grater, please), until smooth.

    5. Serve warm, with more cheese on top, obviously.

    tomato paste, butter, spices, tomato sauce, chicken stock and pasta noodles in a pot
    cream & Parmesan being added to a pot with tomato paste, butter, spices, tomato sauce, chicken stock
    a pot of homemade spaghettiOs made with tomato paste, butter, spices, tomato sauce, chicken stock, cream and parmesan
    bowls of homemade spaghettiOs made with tomato paste, butter, spices, tomato sauce, chicken stock, cream and parmesan

    How To Store Homemade Spaghettios + Tips

    • If your homemade spaghettiOs sauce seems to thicken before the O pasta is cooked all the way through, just add a little more water to loosen the sauce and keep on simmering until it looks perfect.

    • Unlike their canned cousins, homemade spaghettiOs are best eaten right away, but the leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.

    a pot of homemade spaghettiOs made with tomato paste, butter, spices, tomato sauce, chicken stock, cream and parmesan
    a bowl of homemade spaghettiOs made with tomato paste, butter, spices, tomato sauce, chicken stock, cream and parmesan

    More Tomato Sauce-y Favorites

    Uh-Oh, You DIY’d SpaghettiOs!

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    Easy Homemade SpaghettiOs

    April 4, 2024

    • Serves:  4
    • Prep Time:  10 min
    • Cook Time:  25 min
    • Calories:  551
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
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    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
    • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • ⅓ teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt
    • ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
    • 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
    • 2 cups chicken stock
    • 2 cups anellini pasta rings
    • ¼ cup heavy cream (optional)
    • ¼ cup grated Parmesan, plus more for serving (optional)

    Method

    1. In a large pot, combine the tomato paste, butter, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Cook over medium heat until the butter is melted, 4-5 minutes.

      tomato paste, butter, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper in a pot

    2. Increase the heat to high. Stir in the tomato sauce, stock, and 2 cups water until fully incorporated, then bring to a boil. Once the sauce is boiling, stir in the pasta. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring often, until the pasta is tender and the sauce has thickened, about 15 to 20 minutes.

      O shaped pasta noodles being added to homemade spaghettiO sauce

    3. Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan if using.

      cream & Parmesan being added to a pot with tomato paste, butter, spices, tomato sauce, chicken stock

    4. Divide among 4 bowls. Serve topped with more parmesan if desired.

      bowls of homemade spaghettiOs made with tomato paste, butter, spices, tomato sauce, chicken stock, cream and parmesan

    Notes

    If the sauce has thickened before the pasta is tender, stir in more water ½ cup at a time, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender.

    Nutrition Info

    • Per Serving
    • Amount
    • Calories 551
    • Protein 15 g
    • Carbohydrates 91 g
    • Total Fat 14 g
    • Dietary Fiber 6 g
    • Cholesterol 31 mg
    • sodium 1098 mg
    • Total Sugars 9 g

    Easy Homemade SpaghettiOs

    Questions & Reviews

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    • Carla

      I love learning how to swap store bought for homemade! This was a hit with the kids.

      YAY! Thanks Carla, glad it was enjoyed!