Cooking with Kids: Spaghetti Tacos

I had never heard of spaghetti tacos before, but it got such an overwhelming response when it was suggested for Cooking Club at the Boys and Girls Club that I figured we could try it.  I looked it up and it was popularized on a tv show called iCarly, which I guess is why there were so many elementary school aged girls excited about it.  I thought it was perfect for what I am trying to do with the Cooking Club because it is easy enough for kids to do on their own, and because spaghetti sauce is an easy way to get vegetables to the kids.  I almost can’t believe I just typed that.  I sound like Rachel Ray or some 40-year-old parent trying to sneak healthy food into their kid’s diet.  Definitely just lost some street cred.

Anyways, this was nice because the kids were able to do this entirely by themselves.  They boiled the water and cooked the pasta, they cut vegetables and stirred the sauce, and they heated the taco shells.  Of course we again had problems sharing, but there was certainly enough to do that everyone was able to help and they all kept pretty busy for the whole time.  For the sauce we took some plain tomato sauce and added onion, garlic, green peppers, salt, pepper, oregano, and a little parmesan cheese.  We also threw in some meatballs of the store-bought variety.  The sauce was then mixed with the pasta and used to fill the taco shells (although some preferred their spaghetti sans taco shell).  Sprinkle a little parmesan cheese over the top and you got yourself a gourmet meal.  I personally only sampled a little bit of the sauce to make sure it was ok, not wanting to ruin the leftovers that I didn’t know I had waiting for me at home, but the kids all seemed to like it.  In fact, everyone had seconds and I’m pretty sure a few of them sneaked thirds.

I will continue to chronicle my foray into cooking with kids in the coming months.  I hope to get pictures of the wonderful food we create, but I have to figure out all of the legal issues.  Until then my masterful way with words will have to suffice.