Rainbow spaghetti

Try making this rainbow spaghetti as a sensory activity for babies and toddlers, or serve as a fun lunch – just top with their favourite dressing, and enjoy with a salad

Prep:20 mins
Cook:12 mins

Serves 4
Easy

Nutrition per serving

kcal 268
fat 8g
saturates 5g
carbs 38g
sugars 2g
fibre 3g
protein 10g
salt 0.3g

Ingredients

200g spaghetti
a mix of food colourings (we used red, yellow, green and blue)
salad dressing or melted butter
50g cheddar, grated
mixed salad leaves and veg

Tip

Rainbow spaghetti omelette

Mix any leftover rainbow spaghetti with some beaten eggs and grated parmesan. Heat a drop of oil in a small non-stick frying pan and cook the omelette until set on the bottom. Heat the grill to high and finish under the grill. Serve in wedges.

Method

Cook the spaghetti following pack instructions. Drain, then divide between bowls, based on the number of colours you’d like to use (we made five colours). Add a drop of food colouring to each bowl, or combine two colours (such as red and yellow to make orange). Mix well, adding a splash of water to help the colour disperse, if needed. Leave for 5 mins, then rinse the spaghetti under cold running water to set the colour.
If you want to use the spaghetti as a sensory activity only, tip it into a large tray or plastic bowl and let your little ones dive in. If you like, add ice cubes, or give older toddlers (aged two to four) safety scissors to practise their cutting skills.
If you’re serving the spaghetti, toss with some salad dressing or melted butter, then top with a little grated cheese and a salad of mixed leaves and vegetables.

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