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This bowl of super easy homemade Cheesy Spaghetti O’s is the perfect recipe for busy weeknights and picky eaters. Small little O-shaped pasta, garlic butter, herbs, and tomato paste are boiled together until al dente. Then a handful of grated parmesan and pecorino cheeses are stirred into the mix. Together they create a creamy, cheesy spaghetti O-style pasta that’s wholesome, delicious, and fun. This simple pasta is made all in one pot, in just 25 minutes and your family will become obsessed!
Well, isn’t this fun?! Homemade spaghetti O’s! And SO MUCH better than anything you’d dump out of a can. So much better.
I’ve said it many times now, but it’s back-to-school season. And as much as I dreaded this time of year as a kid, there was (and is) something so exciting about starting off a new year. It’s odd since the new year isn’t officially until January. But as a kid, the start of the school year meant so much more than the actual new year. New classrooms, new teachers, new friends, possibly even a new school.
It’s a lot. And with practices, homework, and earlier bedtimes, nights become short and hectic.
My parents relied on easy dinners like chicken and rice, tacos, and pasta. My mom was always stocked with ramen, boxes of mac and cheese, and yeah, cans of Spaghetti O’s.
To be very, very honest. I never went for the spaghetti O’s. My brother Creighton loved them. I only recall eating them maybe once a year and always with a grilled cheese that my dad would make.
So I can’t say that I was a true fan. But we all know I love a homemade “dupe” and spaghetti O’s needed to happen this week. It’s been thundering and storming all week, and this is back-to-school comfort food at its best.
Details
For starters, this is almost as easy as dumping out a can of spaghetti o’s and heating. Simple, simple and so much better.
I start by cooking the butter together with a splash of olive oil, lots of garlic, some oregano, and chili flakes. Then add in tomato paste, which is the base of our sauce. I prefer to use tomato paste over jarred pasta. It brings a more intense tomato flavor that tastes as though the sauce has been cooking all day. It’s kind of my “secret”.
Next, pour in the water, this is for cooking the pasta. Then, add the Spaghetti O’s or in correct Italian, Anellini pasta. Any shortcut pasta will work, but using the Anellini makes this feel like a legit Spaghetti O’s copycat. It’s fun!
Next, add in some onion powder and paprika. Then just cook away until the pasta has the perfect bite. Stir in lots of cheese – both parmesan and pecorino, and finish with fresh basil.
Excited to have this recipe in my back pocket. It’s pretty perfect any time of the year. Everyone really loves it. Like really loves it. Oslo is actually eating a bowl out of my lap as I type this. It’s UMMY as Oslo says!
Looking for other one pot recipes? Here are my favorites:
French Onion Pasta with Crispy Prosciutto
One Skillet White Chicken Chili Bake
Healthier Homemade One Pot Hamburger Helper
Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta
Lastly, if you make this Super Easy Homemade Cheesy Spaghetti O’s, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Super Easy Homemade Cheesy Spaghetti O’s
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 262 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
- chili flakes
- 1/3 cup tomato paste
- 2 cups Anellini or other small pasta
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup grated pecorino cheese
- 1/2 cup fresh basil
Instructions
- 1. Melt together the butter, olive oil, garlic, oregano, and chili flakes in a large pot over medium heat. Cook until the butter turns golden, about 5 minutes. 2. Reduce the heat to low, stir in the tomato paste. Cook 1-2 minutes, then pour over 3 cups of water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta, onion powder, paprika, and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until the pasta is al dente, about 12 minutes.3. Stir in the parmesan, pecorino, and basil until the cheese is melted. 4. Serve immediately topped with fresh basil. Eat!
So delicious! Has a richness of flavor from the tomato paste, and just enough saltiness to make it scrumptious! Added beef for protein.
Hi Michelle,
Happy Thursday! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for making it! xx
Yummy! Super good comfort food after a long day. I used ditalini pasta and while it was perfect after 12 minutes I did need to add about 1/2 cup of water throughout the cooking time to keep it from drying out but not a big deal. Next time I might reduce the Parmesan to 1/2 cup and only add fresh basil as a garnish at the end. This dish has a strong basil flavor so if you’re not super into basil, reducing the amount added might be a good idea. I served it with Rao’s frozen meatballs cut into fourths and it was a perfect addition for a busy weeknight dinner. Tieghan, you did it again girl! I’m cooking your recipes all week sister and I’m here for it! XX Jess
Hey Jess,
Awesome!! So glad to hear this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it! Thanks for sharing what worked well for you! xT
I had the same experience where my anneli pasta was sticking and I did have it at a rolling boil. The problem was the liquid kept cooking down so I had to combo adding more water and eventually just threw it in with some Raos and took about 20 minutes to soften. As much as I’ve always loved the one pot idea I don’t think it works to boil pasta with a sauce. Next time I would boil the noodles separately. That being said, my kids did eat it so winning ; )
Hi Erin,
Thanks for giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback, sorry to hear you had some issues with the pasta cooking. xTieghan
Where the heck do you find ring pasta? I can’t find it anywhere.
Hi Jonathan,
I ordered mine from Amazon:
https://shopstyle.it/l/bKwNe
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
I am so eager to try this, but I can’t find anellini pasta anywhere in Jacksonville! I tend to follow a recipe to a T the first time before improvising.
Any suggestions?
Hi Cindy,
I ordered mine from Amazon, but any other small noodle like macaroni would work well for you! I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xx
Very quick and delicious. Used elbows because that’s all I could find. Had no issue with the pasta not being done in 12 minutes. It was actually done in 10. Thanks for another hit!
Hi Beth,
Fantastic! I love to hear that this dish was a hit, thanks a lot for trying it out! Hope you’re off to a great day! xT
Another huge hit for the family-only problem was it wasn’t enough-lol-I used different noodles and it was still amazing
Hey Cindy,
Wonderful! Thanks so much for making this dish and sharing your feedback, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xTieghan
Alright I have to admit when I saw this recipe at the beginning of the week, I thought “that looks ok”. I didn’t anticipate I would make it, but then I saw it again today on Nine Favorite Things and it sounded like a perfect lazy Sunday lunch. It was soooo good! I couldn’t find anellini pasta at my local grocery store so I used Rotelle and double the recipe for my fam of 5. Also topped with a few left over Italian meatballs and it was delicious. Thanks for another simple yet great recipe T ☺️
Hey Courtney,
Happy Monday! Thanks a lot for trying this recipe out, I am so excited to hear that it was a hit! xx
Hi, loved this dish! Do you have another recommendation for cooking the pasta? I followed all the directions & it was still hard after 12 minutes. We added more paste, water & cooked it awhile longer to soften it enough to eat it. Most of the sauce cooked down while trying to soften the pasta. Thank you!
Hey Jennifer,
Thanks so much for making this recipe and sharing your feedback! Sorry to hear about the pasta. What kind did you use? Did you allow it to fully boil for 12 minutes? Let me know! xx
Hi, I used anellini. I had to turn it down to medium because it was sticking to my pot pretty bad after I added the pasta. I was stirring the whole time. Maybe that was it? Thank you!
Yeah, my guess is that if the pasta was not at a rolling boil like how you would normally boil pasta, that is what probably made them take longer to cook:)
My family loved this recipe! My husband and 16y/o son ate an entire 6 servings, Ihad to make another batch for my other son to eat after work. Super easy to make as well.
Hi Maribeth,
Amazing!! I am so excited to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it! Have a great weekend☀️
Hi, the video on Instagram added pesto sauce. Is that an extra step and if so, how much should I add? Thank you!
Hi Lucia,
Totally not necessary, I just had some laying around and I like the additional flavor, but can add a tablespoon or two to your liking if you want:) xx
Delish! I cut the recipe in half because it was just my husband and I, big mistake we both wanted more. I will definitely make this again, it was so delicious. The only thing I’ll try different is partially cook the ring pasta. The pasta (Rustichella found at my local market) took almost 30 minutes to cook Al dente.
Hi Cynthia,
Thanks so much for making this recipe and sharing your feedback, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xx
Can you tell us about pesto? Shown on video but not an ingredient listed. Thanks!
Hi Kate,
I just had a little extra laying around so I added it, totally not necessary but if you have some and like the flavor go for it! I hope you love the recipe! xx
Amazing! I served this last night with chicken cutlets and an eggplant dish. My family with adult children said it was TREMENDOUS. I will make it again!
Hi Danielle,
Amazing!! Such a great idea to serve with chicken and eggplant, I am so glad your family enjoyed this dish! xT
OMG! Another one for our weekly rotation! I added some ground beef with the cheese. Hubby is a happy camper tonight.
Hi Heather!
Awesome!! Thanks for making this recipe and such a great idea to add ground beef! Thanks for sharing! Happy Friday! xx