How to Make Homemade SpaghettiO’s

Children and adults alike love the taste of SpaghettiO’s. Put a new spin on this classic with the following recipe, and bring out your inner child. You’ll save money by making it at home instead of spending money on a can, and you’ll have enough to feed your family or save the rest for leftovers. This variety is also healthier, so you’ll feel good about giving it to your children.

What You’ll Need:

• 8 tablespoons of unsalted butter
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 small yellow onion, minced
• 2 tablespoons of tomato paste
• One 24-ounce can of tomato puree
• 4 teaspoons of kosher salt, plus extra
• 3 teaspoons of sugar
• freshly ground black pepper
• ¾ pound ground beef
• ¾ pound anelletti pasta
• ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra

Instructions

1. Making the Sauce

Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter over medium-high heat in a 4-quart saucepan. Add the onion and garlic and cook about 3 to 4 minutes, until soft. Add the tomato paste and cook for 2 more minutes. Add the remaining butter, tomato puree, the sugar, 2 teaspoons of salt, pepper to taste, and ¼ cup of water. Cook about 5 minutes, until thick.

2. Making the Meatballs

Mix rest of the salt (2 teaspoons) with the ground beef. Roll the meat into ¾-inch balls in the palm of your hands. Place the meatballs into the sauce and reduce heat to medium. Cook about 6 to 8 minutes, until the meatballs are cooked through.

3. Cooking the Pasta

Generously salt water in a large pot and bring to a boil. Add the pasta to the boiling water. Cook about 13 minutes, until the pasta is al dente, stirring occasionally. Drain the pasta, and then add it to the saucepan along with the Parmesan cheese. Serve right away with the rest of the cheese on the side.

This recipe serves four and takes about 40 minutes to prepare and cook. Bring a smile to your child’s face and your own with this homemade version of SpaghettiO’s.

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Toy Tips You Can Use When Shopping For Kids

If your childhood is several decades behind you, you probably are clueless about what changes have taken place in the world of toys since then. All the different types of toys today can be overwhelming if you haven’t been shopping for toys in a really long time. Luckily, the following article is helpful.

Look at any warnings on a toy. A lot of toys feature pieces that are potential choking hazards, so be mindful of such warnings. Check the age rating of the toy; this is optimal for the safety of your child.

Pay attention to any warning labels on a toy’s packaging. This will help your child to stay as safe as possible. No matter how the toy looks, little kids shouldn’t play with big kid toys.

It’s doubly important that you buy the right toy when shopping for a baby under the age of one. Look for toys that have a lot of different colors. Babies at this age learn through all of their senses. Also, since children usually put everything in their mouth, make sure all toys are non toxic.

Think about the age appropriateness of a toy. Toys have age ranges marked on their packaging. Pay attention to these when buying toys. There may be issues if you purchase a toy for a child that is intended for someone older. It’s also going to be a problem if your kid is going to grow out of that toy fast. Never spend a lot of money on an item that will be outgrown quickly.

A good creative toy for your child is one that could be project based. For example, look for a model airplane kit or a craft kit. You may want to also look into chemistry sets, science kits, and ant farms. This will help your child learn.

Don’t give your child a used toy without thoroughly inspecting it first and researching its age. Toys that are older may not be safe for children to play with. The toy may be cracked, or it may even have a manufacturer’s recall. Doing a thorough check is your responsibility.

There are yearly lists that are created that discuss how dangerous certain toys are. Parents should read these lists. Scan through and see if you own anything that should be thrown out. Make sure you don’t purchase something on the list.

Perhaps it has been a few years since you had the challenging task of finding some great toys for the children in your life. If so, thank goodness for the above tips. Now, you are prepared to find great toys that will make children smile.