Enhanced Maci-Noodles: Healthful Pasta Options & Elmo's Favorite Color.

As I’ve said before, Gianna is a carb-a-holic, especially when it comes to pasta. (She is half Italian, so how can she not be?) She takes her pasta straight, light on the butter, heavy on the cheese and affectionately calls it Maci-Noodles. If I only could get some veggies in there.

Well, while doing some investigating, I’ve come across some companies that are making strides in ‘child-friendly’ pasta and pasta meals as well as some adult versions that offer healthful alternatives to traditional pasta. I even found some sauces Gianna is willing to try.

Let’s start with Al Dente’s Spinach Fettuccini. I have to admit, I was a bit nervous about Gianna’s reaction—the pasta is green. So for some preliminary work, I decided that Elmo was going to have a favorite color. You guessed it, green. With green the color of the day, I quickly, and I mean quickly, made the pasta. (It cooks in 3 minutes!) I added a dollop of butter, salt and some Parmesan and we were in business. She loved it! I was thrilled—it was still pasta, but at least I got some spinach in her.

The next day she asked for it again. With the green theme working so well, I decided to add a dollop of Garden Pesto I had from LeGrand (legrand.com); the colors blended together nicely. The day after that, I let Gianna squeeze out the pesto out of its pouch herself, which created even more enjoyment (and a little bit of a mess).

I also found other pasta favorites that were quick and convenient. Amy’s has come out with frozen meals geared toward kids. Gianna’s favorites are the Mac N’ Cheese and the Baked Ziti. Each comes with a dessert such as chocolate cake or apple pie. If you cut the box open it doubles as a placemat with pictures inside that can be colored. Also in the pasta department, I have to give a shout out to Barilla. The company has created a Piccolini line—mini shapes of some of its classic pastas—perfect for toddlers. Gianna’s a huge fan of the mini wheels and any leftovers make a great pasta salad for the adults. 

Both the New York Ravioli Company and Nuovo Pasta also have mini ravioli varieties that come in cool kid shapes and flavors. New York Ravioli’s Jolie kids line is available in cheese and broccoli Teddy Bears while Nuovo Pasta offers Ooey Gooey Cheezy Gol’fish—fish-shaped ravioli. Both can be found in the frozen section or online.—Nicole Potenza Denis