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Test Kitchen Approved

Kid-Friendly Spaghetti and Meatballs with Secret Vegetable Sauce

Kid-Friendly Spaghetti and Meatballs with Secret Vegetable Sauce

Kid-Friendly Spaghetti and Meatballs with Secret Vegetable Sauce

Recipe By Olivia Rose, My King Cook

Yields

4 servings

Recipe By Olivia Rose, My King Cook

Deliciously funny meal that is perfect for kids who want to get involved!

Serving Suggestions

 Serve with sauce on the side so that you can see the different faces!

Recipe Notes

This fun recipe (and photo!) was submitted to us by Olivia Rose, the blogger behind My King Cook.

Ingredients

For noodles:

1/2 lb. spaghetti or fettuccini noodles

For meatballs:

2/3 lb. mild pork sausage (about 4 large or 8 mild sausages), casings removed

1 lb. lean ground beef


1 medium carrot, finely grated



1 medium egg

1 Tbsp. olive oil

For Secret Sauce:

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1 medium zucchini, grated


1 Tbsp. tomato paste or puree

Pinch sugar

Splash red wine vinegar

2 (14.5 oz.) cans chopped tomato

For assembly:

Fresh parsley for "hair"

Bell pepper triangles, cut into triangles for beaks and mouths

Thin slice of radish or jicama for eyes

Olive bits for pupils of eyes

Savory Spice ingredients in this recipe

  • Greek Oregano

    These dried Greek oregano leaves are extensively used in Italian cuisine and Mediterranean cooking. Add to recipes for tomato-based sauces for past...

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  • Minced Onion

    Great for everyday use, or to use in a pinch for any dish that needs real onion flavor. Use minced onion as you would fresh, as the onion flavor is...

    View full details
  • Parmesan Pesto Sprinkle

    This powdered pesto and Parmesan seasoning adds real pesto flavor to pasta, bread, and more. Sprinkle on pizza, or add to cream sauces for a Parmes...

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  • Minced Garlic

    This dehydrated garlic can save time with recipes that may call for fresh garlic. No need for peeling, it doesn't spoil, and it prevents your hands...

    View full details

Directions

For noodles: Cook pasta according to package directions and set aside. Kids can start forming nests once pasta is cool enough to handle.

For meatballs: In a bowl, make meatballs by combining all the meatball ingredients together, except for the olive oil. Once mixed, form into golf-sized balls. Cook over medium-high heat with 1 Tbsp. of olive oil. Once cooked, set aside. Kids can start decorating with funny faces once cooled.

For Secret Sauce: In a large sauce pan, heat up oil and sauté garlic until lightly brown and fragrant. Add grated zucchini and cook for at least 5 minutes or until soft. Add remaining ingredients and mix well Allow to boil for at least 10 more minutes. Season according to taste.

For decoration: Assemble nests of pasta on a plate and top with cute meatball “faces.”