45 Pasta Recipes for Kids (That Are Picky-Eater Approved!)

Read Time: 20 mins

45 Pasta Recipes for Kids (That Are Picky-Eater Approved!)2/45 Makeover Slow-Cooked Mac ‘n’ Cheese 22 Reviews Makeover Slow-Cooked Mac ‘n’ Cheese Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 2 hours 25 min Servings 9 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This recipe is a clear example of comfort food at its finest; it’s rich, hearty and extra cheesy. And because it’s made in the slow cooker, it’s also extremely easy. —Shelby Molina, Whitewater, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 300 calories, 12g fat (9g saturated fat), 45mg cholesterol, 647mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 1g fiber), 19g protein.

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 medium-fat meat

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 medium-fat meat. 3/45 Parmesan Bow Tie Pasta with Chicken 12 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Parmesan Bow Tie Pasta with Chicken Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: On lazy summer weekends, we like chicken and yellow squash tossed with bow tie pasta. Add extra fresh grated Parmesan for a Sunday touch. —Sarah Smiley, Bangor, Maine Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 528 calories, 16g fat (9g saturated fat), 77mg cholesterol, 690mg sodium, 64g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 4g fiber), 33g protein. 4/45 Turkey Sausage with

This has the perfect blend of meaty, veggie and cheesy goodness

Pasta 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: If you’re looking for recipes with turkey sausage, stop here. This has the perfect blend of meaty, veggie and cheesy goodness. You’ll be craving what’s good for you when this pasta dish is on the menu. —Mary Tallman, Arbor Vitae, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 cup sausage mixture with 1 cup pasta: 396 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 51mg cholesterol, 679mg sodium, 54g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 5g fiber), 24g protein. 5/45 Three-Cheese Meatball Mostaccioli 17 Reviews Contest

This tasty mostaccioli is magic

Winner Test Kitchen Approved Three-Cheese Meatball Mostaccioli Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When my husband travels for work, I make a special dinner for my kids to keep their minds off missing Daddy. This tasty mostaccioli is magic. —Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups: 541 calories, 23g fat (11g saturated fat), 105mg cholesterol, 1335mg sodium, 55g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 5g fiber), 34g protein. 6/45 Buffalo Chicken Pasta 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe photo by Molly Bolton for Taste

Combine it with pasta, and you have the ultimate comfort food

of Home Total Time 4 hours 10 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Buffalo chicken is a favorite in our household. Combine it with pasta, and you have the ultimate comfort food. If you prefer less spicy food, the addition of sour cream, ranch dressing and mozzarella provides a creamy texture and cooler flavor that nicely balances the spice in this Buffalo chicken pasta dish. —Kathy White, Henderson, Nevada Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 699 calories, 33g fat (14g saturated fat), 130mg cholesterol, 1995mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 4g fiber), 41g protein. 7/45 Sloppy Joe

Chicken and Bows 35 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved

Pasta 23 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Sloppy Joe Pasta Recipe photo by Eric Kleinberg for Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Since I found this quick-to-fix recipe a few years ago, it’s become a regular part of my menu plans. Everyone loves the combination of sloppy joe ingredients, shell pasta and cheddar cheese. —Lynne Leih, Idyllwild, California Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups: 291 calories, 11g fat (6g saturated fat), 55mg cholesterol, 904mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 23g protein. 8/45 Chicken and Bows 35 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved

It comes together quickly at dinnertime when the kids are hungry

Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I first made this chicken bow tie pasta when I was a professional nanny. It comes together quickly at dinnertime when the kids are hungry. —Danette Forbes, Overland Park, Kansas Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups: 536 calories, 18g fat (8g saturated fat), 94mg cholesterol, 908mg sodium, 57g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 5g fiber), 37g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 3 very lean meat, 2 starch, 2 fat. 9/45 Tender Beef over Noodles 17 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 5 hours

It goes great with a salad and garlic bread

45 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I dress up stew meat with noodles and a slightly sweet red sauce for this satisfying main dish. It goes great with a salad and garlic bread. —Olivia Gust, Salem, Oregon Nutrition Facts: 1 cup beef mixture with 1/2 cup cooked noodles: 385 calories, 11g fat (3g saturated fat), 89mg cholesterol, 611mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 2g fiber), 27g protein. 10/45 Chili-ghetti 8 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chili-ghetti Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe

This spur-of-the-moment main dish is now a family favorite

Creator: I came up with this recipe when unexpected guests stopped by and I didn’t have enough chili to go around. This spur-of-the-moment main dish is now a family favorite. —Cindy Cuykendall, Skaneateles, New York Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups: 374 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 51mg cholesterol, 706mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 6g fiber), 25g protein. 11/45 Sausage Bow Tie Pasta 62 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Italian Sausage with Bow Ties Recipe photo by Jonathan Melendez for Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We often

Now many of my friends make it for their families, too

have our favorite pasta when company comes over, and I’ve shared this Italian sausage recipe several times. Now many of my friends make it for their families, too. —Janelle Moore, Auburn, Washington Nutrition Facts: 1-3/4 cups: 751 calories, 44g fat (21g saturated fat), 119mg cholesterol, 989mg sodium, 67g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 4g fiber), 23g protein. 12/45 Taco Stuffed Shells 34 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taco Stuffed Shells Recipe photo by Christine Ma for Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Here’s a kid-friendly dish so flavorful and fun, nobody is

likely to guess that it’s also lower in fat

likely to guess that it’s also lower in fat. It’s a great family supper for busy weeknights! —Anne Thomsen, Westchester, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 3 stuffed shells: 384 calories, 13g fat (5g saturated fat), 67mg cholesterol, 665mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 33g protein. 13/45 Beef Noodle Casserole 25 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 5 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When I was working on the local election board in the ’50s, one of my co-workers gave me this recipe, and it has been a family favorite

ever since

ever since. It’s quick to make for unexpected company or easily doubled for a potluck.—Mary Hinman, Escondido, California Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 436 calories, 20g fat (8g saturated fat), 97mg cholesterol, 736mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 3g fiber), 24g protein. 14/45 Double Jack Mac 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Double Jack Mac Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This spicy mac and cheese recipe came about when I asked my two sisters what they would like to add to mac and cheese to make it

One said pepper jack cheese and the other said black beans

special. One said pepper jack cheese and the other said black beans. I liked both of the ideas and this is the result. The black beans add color and nutrition. The pepper jack cheese adds zip and fun. —Andrea Johnson, Freeport, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 837 calories, 41g fat (24g saturated fat), 123mg cholesterol, 1283mg sodium, 79g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 6g fiber), 37g protein. 15/45 Gnocchi Chicken Skillet 10 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Stovetop chicken and gnocchi recipes like this one make

for a homey dinner in a hurry

for a homey dinner in a hurry. Personalize it with your own favorite sauce and seasonings. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups (calculated without cheese): 598 calories, 24g fat (6g saturated fat), 88mg cholesterol, 1632mg sodium, 66g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 6g fiber), 30g protein. 16/45 Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Shells 11 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Shells Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When chicken Parmesan meets stuffed shells, it’s love at first bite. The texture of the chicken holds

up in the deliciously creamy and cheesy mixture

up in the deliciously creamy and cheesy mixture. —Cynthia Gerken, Naples, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 431 calories, 19g fat (10g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 752mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 2g fiber), 28g protein. 17/45 Tortellini Carbonara 55 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Tortellini Carbonara Recipe photo by Sheri Silver for Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Bacon, cream and Parmesan cheese make a classic pasta sauce that’s absolutely heavenly. It’s a delightful option for company! —Cathy Croyle, Davidsville, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 527 calories, 36g fat (20g

💡 Frequently Asked Questions

⭐ Expert Tips

• Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

• Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.

• Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.

✅ Key Takeaways

• These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

• Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

• Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.

📣 Join Our Community