There are some foods that just taste like childhood.
And whether you actually loved Spaghetti-O’s as a kid or simply remember them being a permanent fixture in the pantry, there’s something about those tiny little pasta rings swimming in tomato sauce that instantly takes you back.
For me, it takes me straight back to lunchtime with my mom and my five sisters. Six girls meant opening a lot of cans of Spaghetti-O’s.
Confession: I wasn’t exactly their biggest fan. But apparently nostalgia is a funny thing, because the second I spotted the cutest little anellini pasta at the store, all I could think was: Spaghetti-O’s.
Except…what if we made them really, really good?
And that is how this Creamy Tomato Pesto Pasta—or what we now lovingly call Better Than Spaghetti-O’s—came to be.
It has all the cozy nostalgia of the childhood classic, but this version is definitely all grown up. Garlic and butter, rich tomato paste, basil pesto, freshly grated Parmesan and tiny little pasta rings all cook together into the creamiest, coziest bowl of pasta.
It’s simple enough that the kids will devour it, but elevated enough that the adults will happily go back for seconds.
And right now, I think that’s exactly why I love this recipe so much.
A Little Taste of Home
Life has looked a little different around here lately.
New seasons. School changes. Work changes. Home changes. Life changes.
Sometimes it feels like everything is moving at once.
But food has always had this incredible way of grounding me. I can be in a completely different kitchen, in a completely different season of life, and somehow the smell of garlic sizzling in butter or a big pot of pasta bubbling away on the stove can make wherever I am feel a little more like home.
This is one of those recipes.
It isn’t complicated or fancy. It’s just warm, familiar, ridiculously delicious comfort food—the kind you put in the middle of the table, hand everyone a bowl and suddenly things feel a little more normal.
And maybe that’s why the nostalgic recipes are sometimes the very best ones.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
It’s nostalgic without tasting like it came from a can.
You get that fun, childhood Spaghetti-O’s feeling with so much more flavor.
Kids AND adults will eat it.
The tiny pasta makes it fun for kids, while pesto, Parmesan, garlic and herbs give it enough flavor for the grown-ups.
It’s an easy weeknight dinner.
Everything comes together in one pot with simple ingredients and very little cleanup.
It’s pure comfort food.
Creamy, cheesy, tomato-y and cozy. Enough said.
Creamy & Cheesy Tomato Pesto Pasta
AKA Better Than Spaghetti-O’s
Serves: 6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: About 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/3 cup tomato paste
- 3–4 cups water or chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 16 ounces small pasta, such as anellini or ditalini
- 1/3 cup basil pesto
- 1 teaspoon chopped parsley
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan, plus more for serving
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Let’s Make It!
1. Start with the good stuff.
In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt the butter with the olive oil over medium heat.
Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes, just until fragrant. You don’t want the garlic to brown.
2. Build the flavor.
Add the thyme and red pepper flakes and cook for about 30 seconds.
Stir in the tomato paste and let it cook briefly with the butter and garlic. This helps deepen that rich tomato flavor.
3. Add the pasta.
Pour in 3 cups of water or chicken broth and add the salt. Stir in the pasta.
Bring everything to a gentle simmer, cover and cook for approximately 10–12 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente.
Important: Give it a stir every few minutes so those cute little pasta rings don’t stick to the bottom. Add a little more broth or water as needed while the pasta cooks.
4. Make it creamy + cheesy.
Once the pasta is tender, stir in the pesto, Parmesan, parsley and fresh basil.
Cook for another 2–3 minutes, stirring until the Parmesan melts and everything becomes creamy and delicious.
If you’d like it a little saucier, add another splash of broth.
5. Serve!
Taste and season with additional salt and freshly cracked black pepper as needed.
Spoon into bowls and finish with plenty of freshly grated Parmesan and a little extra basil.
Then prepare yourself for someone to ask for seconds.
A Few Holly B. Tips ♡
Use chicken broth instead of water.
Either works, but broth adds another layer of flavor and makes this taste even more homemade.
Freshly grate your Parmesan.
It melts so much better than the pre-shredded version and gives the sauce that silky texture we’re looking for.
Adjust the spice for little ones.
The red pepper flakes add just a tiny bit of warmth, but you can leave them out completely if your kids aren’t fans.
Can’t find anellini?
Don’t worry! Ditalini, small shells, elbows or another tiny pasta shape will work beautifully. But if you can find the little rings, they’re worth it for the full nostalgic Spaghetti-O’s moment.
Don’t overcook the pasta.
Because everything cooks together, the pasta will continue soaking up some of that delicious sauce as it sits.
What to Serve With It
Honestly, this pasta is perfectly happy all by itself in a big bowl with Parmesan piled on top.
But if you’re making it for dinner, add warm garlic bread and a simple green salad and call it done.
For extra protein, you could also serve it alongside grilled chicken, Italian sausage or meatballs.
Childhood Comfort Food, All Grown Up
Isn’t it funny how food can do that?
One bite can take you back twenty or thirty years. Back to your childhood kitchen. Back to sitting around the table with your siblings. Back to a season of life you hadn’t thought about in forever.
This recipe may have started because I found a bag of cute little pasta rings, but it’s quickly become one of those meals I know I’ll make again and again.
Because no matter how much life changes—new schools, new jobs, new routines, new places—there’s something about gathering around a table and eating a big bowl of pasta that stays the same.
And right now, I’ll take a little bit of that familiar feeling wherever I can get it.
A childhood classic, just a little more grown up. And so much better than the can. ♡
If you make my Better Than Spaghetti-O’s, be sure to tag me so I can see it! And if you’re looking for another easy dinner the whole family will love, stick around—there’s always something delicious cooking around here.
Save this recipe for the next night you need dinner to feel a little more like home.
