Spaghetti Taco Recipe Great for World Pasta Day

World Pasta Day, October 25, celebrates pasta as a global food suitable for a variety of cuisines. Put its versatility to the test by making spaghetti tacos. Spaghetti tacos may sound like the kind of meal desperate cafeteria workers would throw together after running out of food on the much-anticipated Pizza Friday, but, thanks to Nickelodeon's "iCarly", it is a popular dish requested by loyal fans. Spaghetti tacos may not appeal to parents, but do not dismiss your child's pleas for this unconventional dish. This is a golden opportunity to get picky eaters to eat veggies without a fight.

Get creative with the "iCarly" spaghetti taco recipe. (It simply calls for a large spoon, taco shell and spaghetti with meat sauce.) Make the most of this trendy dish by creating a version with some secret ingredients. Enriched or wheat blend spaghetti is full of nutrients, but the taste and texture are similar to the standard version. Adding pumpkin puree is a tasty way to enhance the spaghetti sauce. It is rich in vitamin A and fiber, but blends seamlessly with the basic pasta sauce.

Secret Spaghetti Taco Recipe
Yield: approximately 4 servings of spaghetti
Ingredients
6 to 8 ounces whole wheat spaghetti
1/2 pound lean ground meat
salt
black pepper
2 8-ounce cans tomato sauce
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1/4 cup water
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon oregano
taco shells

Directions
Cook spaghetti according to the directions on the package.

Meanwhile, prepare the meat sauce and preheat the oven to bake the taco shells.

Cook the lean ground meat in a skillet over medium heat. Add salt and pepper to taste. Use a potato masher, fork or spatula to break the into small pieces as it cooks.

Drain oil from cooked meat. Add tomato sauce, pumpkin, and water to the skillet. If using, add seasonings. Stir to combine. Bring the sauce to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer on low until the rest of the meal is ready.

Briefly bake the taco shells according to the directions on the package.

Drain water from cooked pasta. Transfer pasta to serving dish and top with spaghetti sauce.

Add spaghetti to taco shells right before serving. Otherwise, the shells will get soggy.

Secret Spaghetti Taco Recipe Tips
If whole wheat spaghetti is not part of your normal menu, try using a wheat blend to ease the transition. Barilla Plus is also a good option. Visit the Barilla website to view the nutrition content.

Enriched or wheat pasta requires additional cooking time. Refer to the package for complete directions.

Since children often prefer foods with less seasoning, the seasonings are optional. Omit the oregano for kids who do not eat green things.

Consider serving leaf lettuce and diced tomatoes on the side.

With all the weird foods Sam eats, spaghetti tacos are one of the best menu options from "iCarly". Have fun with mealtime and be thankful your precious "iCarly" fan did not request a chicken bone in an ice cream cone.

Sources:
World Pasta Day, Twitter.com
"Spaghetti Taco Recipe", iCarly.com