Home-made tinned spaghetti

[judydawn]

Name of Recipe: Home made tinned spaghetti converted from Australian Healthy Food Guide May 2013
Number of People: 8 toddler portions

Ingredients:
2 cups 2 cm diced pumpkin  - 260g
1200mls boiling water
1 tsp salt (opt)
250g spaghetti broken into 3 lengths (I used size No. 4)
125g four bean mix, rinsed & drained
1/2 tsp garlic paste (opt)
700ml bottle passata
1 tsp brown sugar
grated parmesan to serve
S & P to taste - optional but I think necessary

Preparation

Place the diced pumpkin into the TM bowl, add 1200mls boiling water and 1 tsp salt.  Cook 7 mins/100^o/Reverse/speed 1.

Read ahead here - Strain the pumpkin through the steaming basket & into a bowl so as to reserve the water.

Return the boiling water to the TM bowl, add the spaghetti and cook 10 mins/100^o/Reverse/speed 1 placing the steaming basket over the lid instead of using the MC.

Strain the spaghetti through the steaming basket and keep warm. Perhaps spray with a bit of oil so that the strands do not clump together to make it easier when adding the sauce later.

Sauce - place the beans, pumpkin, 1/2 tsp garlic paste (opt), passata and sugar into the TM bowl.

Cook 15 mins/100^o/speed 2 with the steaming basket on top.

Blend the sauce 30 sec/speed 8.

Taste the sauce and add S & P if desired.

Pour the sauce over the reserved spaghetti and toss through with a fork.

Top the spaghetti with a little grated parmesan when serving.

Tips/Hints:

If using thicker spaghetti you may need to adjust the cooking time.

As with all spaghetti dishes, this will thicken up when cold so all I did was to add a touch of water before reheating a serve in the microwave.  

I'd say it is very close to the real thing but of course the kids will decide that for us won't they  

They suggest adding home-made meatballs to the pasta for a more substantial meal.

Suitable to freeze in portion sizes.

members' comments

Jamberie - This is a winner! Thank you Judy! I can't believe how much it looks and tastes  like the "real" thing! The fact it has only healthy ingredients is fabulous.

Shazzy - I made this for my son who loves tinned spaghetti when I let him have it. He was suitable impressed and I loved the fact that it was a more healthy option.

Chookie - made this today and am surprised at how nice it is given the ingredients.  My daughter is going to love this as she doesn't eat onion or garlic.  Will bag it up and freeze it as it made a lot.  It almost filled a 2 litre jug.

troupie - What a great recipe. Although I don't usually buy canned spaghetti I have eaten it and so I tried  this for 2 yr old GS and it tasted so real. He didn't eat much at his age but his 9 yr old sister did and then took the rest home for her dinner so that is a very good recommendation. I will make it again and maybe put some little meatballs in it. Thanks for the recipe.

astarra - I make this one then freeze in 300 ml(ish) portions to then heat and send to school in miss7s thermos for school lunches - she has never picked the difference!!!

[achookwoman]

Thanks Judy.  Think the big kids will enjoy this. Will definitely make.

[astarra]

Will be trying for sure! Thanx Judy 

[kyton]

Sounds great.

[Amy :-)]

Thanks for posting this Judy. I saw the recipe and thought it looked good. Will try for sure

[Aussie Brenda]

This sound really healthy, I will make it for the GK's and see what the reaction is, can't stand the thought of the canned stuff.

[Cornish Cream]

Do you think any canned beans will work Judy?

[judydawn]

Yes CC, it's one of those very tiny cans and I can't see what difference it would make, it's probably just to add a bit of fibre (there's 3g in the recipe).

I think it is a pretty good version of the canned spaghetti but test your children's reaction and see if they are fooled.  You could add some cheddar cheese to the mixture instead of just sprinkling the top with parmesan.

[Cornish Cream]

Thanks Judy

[Kimmyh]

I think this big kid wants to try it too Thanks Judy.

[Jamberie]

This is a winner! Thank you Judy!

I can't believe how much it looks and tastes  like the "real" thing! The fact it has only healthy ingredients is fabulous.
I followed your recipe almost exactly but used two TMX bowls to save a bit of washing as I already had two out &  in use.

I'm going to freeze most of it into small portions for DD (age 2) so that when we have hot curries,  I have something quick and healthy to pull out of the freezer for her... That is if I can keep it away from DH for his breakfast!

[judydawn]

Thanks for the review Jamberie, I've also frozen some portions as well otherwise I would have been eating spaghetti for a week,

[Shazzy]

I made this for my son who loves tinned spaghetti when I let him have it He was suitable impressed and I loved the fact that it was a more healthy option. I too have put portions in the freezer. Thanks Judy

[judydawn]

Maybe he can have it more now that you know what's in it Shazzy.  I'm so pleased the kids are enjoying this one.

[meganjane]

This does sounds interesting. Years ago, I had a recipe for 'tinned spaghetti' that was designed for the Vacola. It was fantastic and just like the real thing. It disappeared somewhere along the line of moving house twice...