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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!
Great base for a pasta! I added onions and prosciutto because I had it but the flavors are so good it didn’t need it. Kids agreed this is more fun to eat than our usual spaghetti
Hi Sarah,
Happy Sunday! I am so glad to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks a bunch for making it:)
Made this about a week ago for dinner and oh my goodness was it amazing! My 8 year old decided it was “too tomato-ey” after about 6 bites, which was great, because it meant more for the rest of us! I couldn’t find anellini so we used ditalini. My husband and I had to negotiate sharing the leftovers. 🙂 Another winner!
Hey Jen,
Awesome!! I am so glad to hear that you enjoyed this recipe, thanks for making it! Hope you’re off to a great weekend! xT
Hi! Can you use cooked pasta to save on time? Thx
Hi Megan,
You would have to reduce the liquids in the recipe, so I probably wouldn’t recommend it:) Let me know if you give the dish a try! xx
I had fusilli on hand and didn’t feel like going to the store, but other than the pasta shape I followed the recipe as is. It was delicious and I can’t wait to make it again, next time with a anellini for nostalgia’s sake. So good!
Having your apple blondie recipe for dessert! 😀
Hey Jorie,
Happy Wednesday! Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I am thrilled to hear that it was a winner! xTieghan
Kids loved this! I added a big bunch of finely chopped rocket, what a hit!
Super easy.
Hi Jackie,
Awesome!! I am so glad your family enjoyed this recipe, thanks so much for making it! Happy Sunday! xx
Delicious! Everyone loved! We will make again! Easy! We ended the meal with 1970s sitcoms to go with nostalgia of childhood Spaghettios.
Hi Becky,
Happy Sunday!! I love to hear that this recipe was tasty, thanks a lot for making it! xxT
Spaghettios have always been a favorite of mine, so of course I had to make this. My husband and I have looked forward to trying this, and it did not disappoint! So simple to make and yummy. Another hit from HBH!
Hi Megan,
Amazing!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! Have a great weekend! xTieghan
This was such a great recipe! Easy, and delicious! Good thing I doubled the recipe!
Hi Carryn,
Amazing!! Thanks a lot for trying this dish and sharing your feedback, I love to hear that it was tasty for you! xT
Excited to try this! What do you think of adding ground beef for the meat lovers? Any suggestions? Love love love your recipes!!
Hey Sarah,
Sure! I would just sauté your beef separately and then add it at the end:) I hope you love the recipe, let me know how it turns out! xx
I ended up doubling the recipe sort of accidentally cuz I used a whole bag and i’m not upset! So yum. I added a splash of balsamic as well cuz I wanted some “zing”! Delicious! thank you!
Hey Julie,
Happy Friday!? Thanks a bunch for testing this recipe out, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed! xx
Absolutely delicious! My toddlers loved it and asked for more!
Super easy to make – thanks for the heads up to frequently stir the noodles 🙂
Thanks again Becca:)
Absolutely delicious!
Hi Becca,
Perfect! I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your review, I love to hear that it was a hit! xxT
Looking forward to making this recipe. I saw in the video on instagram that you used basil pesto but it is not in the recipe. Can’t decide if I should put it in or not, what is your recommendation?
Hey Jill,
It’s totally up to you! If you enjoy pesto then I think it adds great flavor! I hope you love the recipe! xT
I made this for my kids today and it blew my mind how quick & simple it was. Greatest part is most people would have ingredients for this dish in their home (I think). Anyway it turned out great. My kids loved it and thought the name was fun (they never tried or seen what spaghetti’os are. Thank you for your creative recipes. Great respect for sites that share recipes for free for all. I have 3 cookbooks of yours and will buy future ones too.
Hi Alla,
Thanks so much for your kind message and making so many recipes! I love to hear that this was a winner as well! Happy Monday! xT
I made this tonight for my 3 grown up kids, my husband and my brother. So delicious! As requested, I included cut up hot dogs in it. Lol! Nostalgia is strong with this group. I doubled the recipe, but wasn’t sure if I should just straight double all ingredients (specifically water), so I made 2 separate pans. There wasn’t a scrap left. Great job and fun dinner. Even for adults! ?
Hey Kim,
Happy Labor Day! Thanks so much for making this recipe and sharing your feedback! So glad it was enjoyed:)
Tiegen when doubling this recipe should we double the water too? Planning to make this for dinner tomorrow!
Hi Mary,
Yes, if you are doubling the entire recipe then you will also want to double the water. I hope you love it! xTieghan
This was amazing the first time I made it and not-quite-as-amazing the second time. I could have sworn it had tomato sauce in it the first time I made it but didn’t see it in the recipe the second time. Am I remembering wrong? Anyway, third time I may include 3/4 cup of tomato sauce anyway because it keeps running so low on liquid by the end and I hate adding just water to it.
Hi Vanessa,
Happy Friday!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! No tomato sauce, just tomato paste:) Pleas let me know if you have any other questions!! xTieghan
I agree that tomato sauce would have helped. It was kind of weak with just tomato paste and water.
Hi Carl,
Thanks for trying the recipe and sharing your feedback, sorry to hear it wasn’t enjoyed! xx
Hi! Tried this and it turned out pretty good, but had a quick question. When you say 2 cups of small pasta, do you mean a full 16 oz (2c by weight)? I used probably about 12 oz and kept running low on water so just to improve for next time!
It took 30 minutes and 5 cups of water to cook these exact noodles? Did I do something wrong? It just kept running out of liquid and the noodles were still crunchy. It had a good taste but I don’t know what I was doing wrong.
Hi Erin,
So sorry to hear you had some issues. Any chance your heat was just too high? Did you stir frequently?
Hi Krista,
Happy Wednesday! I love to hear that this recipe was tasty for you, thanks so much for making it! Sorry, I’m not sure of the weight of the pasta, I just measured it by cups:) xx