Rainbow Pasta – Fun Pasta for Kids

Rainbow Pasta – Fun Pasta for Kids

Bring a burst of color and fun to your table with this homemade Rainbow Pasta! Each noodle is naturally colored with veggies like beet, carrot, spinach, and red cabbage, making it a healthy and exciting meal for kids. The simple butter and parmesan sauce lets the colors shine, and you can add your favorite veggies for even more flavor and nutrition. Perfect for parties, picky eaters, or a creative family cooking day!

Ingredients

For the Homemade Pasta Dough

• 3 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
• 4 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt

For Natural Color Dyes

• 1 small beet, peeled and chopped (for red)
• 2 large carrots, peeled and chopped (for orange)
• 1 tablespoon ground turmeric (for yellow)
• 1 cup fresh spinach (for green)
• 1/2 small red cabbage, chopped (for blue and purple)
• Water, as needed

For the Sauce & Toppings

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Optional: 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• Optional: 1/2 cup peas or corn (fresh or frozen)

Instructions

1. Prepare Natural Color Dyes

1. Red (Beet): Blend beet with 1/2 cup water until smooth. Strain to get red liquid.
2. Orange (Carrot): Blend carrots with 1/2 cup water until smooth. Strain to get orange liquid. For a deeper orange, add a splash of beet juice.
3. Yellow (Turmeric): Mix 1 tablespoon turmeric with 1/2 cup water to make yellow liquid.
4. Green (Spinach): Blend spinach with 1/2 cup water until smooth. Strain to get green liquid.
5. Blue (Red Cabbage + Baking Soda): Boil chopped red cabbage in 2 cups water for 10 minutes. Strain to get purple liquid. Add a pinch of baking soda to a portion of the purple liquid—it will turn blue!
6. Purple (Red Cabbage): Use the strained purple liquid from boiling red cabbage (without baking soda).

2. Make the Pasta Dough (Repeat for Each Color)

1. For each color, set up a small bowl with 1/2 cup flour, 1 egg, and 1–2 tablespoons of the desired natural dye (replace part of the egg with dye if needed for consistency).
2. Mix and knead each dough until smooth, adding more flour if sticky or more dye if dry. Wrap each dough in plastic and let rest for 30 minutes.
3. Roll out each dough on a floured surface to your desired thickness (use a pasta machine or rolling pin). Cut into strips (fettuccine, tagliatelle, or your favorite shape).

3. Cook the Pasta

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook each color of pasta separately for 2–3 minutes or until al dente. Drain and rinse briefly with cold water to stop cooking.
2. Combine all colored pasta in a large bowl.

4. Prepare the Sauce & Toppings

1. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
2. Add the colored pasta and toss gently to coat.
3. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Toss until cheese is melted and pasta is heated through.
4. Add optional veggies (cherry tomatoes, peas, or corn) and toss to combine.

5. Serve

• Serve warm in bowls or on a platter, showing off the rainbow colors. Enjoy!

Tips for Fun Pasta for Kids

• Use gloves when handling beet or turmeric dye to avoid staining your hands.
• Let kids help with coloring and shaping the pasta for extra fun!
• If you want to make the dough ahead, wrap tightly and refrigerate for up to 1 day.

FAQ – Rainbow Pasta

Can I freeze homemade pasta?
Yes! Lay cut pasta on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a bag. Cook from frozen, adding 1–2 extra minutes.

Can I use a pasta machine?
Absolutely! It makes rolling and cutting easier and more consistent.

Can I use other veggies?
Definitely! Try bell peppers, broccoli, or snap peas for more color and crunch.

Related recipe: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes