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One-Pot Homemade Italian SpaghettiOs (Just Like Mom Made)

ByMelissa Jo Posted on
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A hand with purple nail polish holds a spoonful of pasta in red sauce, garnished with herbs and grated cheese, over a white bowl on a checkered table mat.

If you love cozy Sicilian and Italian comfort food recipes like this, you have to try my Sicilian Sausage Ditalini Soup, Sicilian Pastina Soup, and Sicilian Shrimp Linguine. They’re all simple, nostalgic, and packed with flavor—just like these homemade Italian SpaghettiOs.

When I was growing up, if I asked my mom for SpaghettiOs, this is what she made me. Not the canned version—this. A simple, one-pot pasta cooked right in a rich tomato sauce, finished with cream and cheese. It’s cozy, comforting, and honestly so much better than anything from a can.

This is one of those recipes that feels like childhood but tastes like a hug. It’s easy, made in one pot, and perfect for kids and adults. Total comfort food energy.

A carton of heavy whipping cream, a carton of Pacific Foods organic chicken broth, a can of Mutti cherry tomatoes, and a bag of Anna ditalini pasta are arranged on a checkered countertop in a kitchen.
A hand with purple nail polish holds a can of Mutti Cherry Tomatoes over a pan with sizzling oil, garlic, and chili flakes on a stovetop.

These cherry tomatoes are the key to this dish!

Cherry tomatoes cooking in a nonstick pan with oil and spices, being stirred with a wooden spatula; the tomatoes are beginning to break down and release their juices.
A measuring cup filled with dry ditalini pasta sits on a checkered surface, with a partially opened bag of Anna brand ditalini pasta in the background. Some pasta pieces are scattered around.

The best pasta for this dish!

A close-up of a pan with tomato sauce and a large pile of dry ring-shaped pasta sitting on top, not yet mixed together.
Grated cheese being sprinkled over a pan of creamy tomato risotto on a stovetop, with a wooden spoon resting on the pan’s edge.
A close-up of a pan with creamy pasta in a tomato sauce. A wooden spoon rests on the pan. Grated cheese and chopped herbs are being added, with the herbs held above the pan in a metal tablespoon. Steam is rising.
A wooden spoon holds up a serving of creamy, saucy pasta over a pan filled with the same pasta. The sauce appears orange, likely tomato-based, and the pasta is small and round. The background shows a kitchen counter.
A bowl of creamy pasta with small tube-shaped noodles in a rich orange sauce, topped with grated cheese and fresh parsley. A pan of more pasta is visible in the background.
A bowl of creamy macaroni pasta topped with herbs and breadcrumbs sits on a table, with a large pan of the same pasta in the background and a serving spoon lifting a portion from the pan.
A hand with purple-painted nails holds a spoonful of pasta in red sauce, topped with herbs and grated cheese, over a white bowl on a checkered surface.
A smiling woman with long brown hair holds a bowl of food in one hand and a spoonful in the other, standing in a bright kitchen with white cabinets and a vase of yellow and purple flowers on the counter.

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🤔 Common Questions

FaCan I use a different type of pasta if I can’t find anellini?

Yes! Ditalini pasta works great as a substitute. You could also try small pasta shapes like orzo or mini shells. Just adjust cooking time slightly if needed.

Can I make this vegetarian?

Absolutely. Swap the chicken stock for vegetable stock, and you’ll have a delicious vegetarian version without losing any flavor.

A hand with purple nail polish holds a spoonful of pasta in red sauce, garnished with herbs and grated cheese, over a white bowl on a checkered table mat.

One-Pot Homemade Italian SpaghettiOs (Just Like Mom Made)

If you love cozy Sicilian and Italian comfort food recipes like this, you have to try my Sicilian Sausage Ditalini Soup, Sicilian Pastina Soup, and Sicilian Shrimp Linguine. They’re all simple, nostalgic, and packed with flavor—just like these homemade Italian SpaghettiOs.
When I was growing up, if I asked my mom for SpaghettiOs, this is what she made me. Not the canned version—this. A simple, one-pot pasta cooked right in a rich tomato sauce, finished with cream and cheese. It’s cozy, comforting, and honestly so much better than anything from a can.
This is one of those recipes that feels like childhood but tastes like a hug. It’s easy, made in one pot, and perfect for kids and adults. Total comfort food energy.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6 people

Equipment

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Heat a large, high-sided pan over medium heat. Add the olive oil and chopped garlic. Sauté for 2–3 minutes, until fragrant but not browned.
  • Add the dried basil, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, and a light pinch of salt and pepper. (You’ll adjust seasoning at the end since the cheese adds salt.) Stir to combine.
  • Continue sautéing the garlic and spices for another 1–2 minutes to bloom the flavors.
  • Add the tomato paste and sauté with the garlic mixture for another 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly.
  • Pour in the entire 14-ounce can of cherry tomatoes. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Use a wooden spoon to gently break up the tomatoes. (Cherry tomatoes add a slightly sweeter flavor, but diced tomatoes can be used if needed.)
  • Add the dry anellini pasta directly to the pan and stir it into the tomato mixture. (Do not cook the pasta beforehand—it cooks right in the sauce.)
  • Pour the chicken stock into the empty tomato can, swirl it around to get every bit of tomato, then add it to the pan.
  • Use 2½ cups for a thicker, classic SpaghettiOs-style consistency; Use 3 cups if you prefer it saucier
  • Bring everything to a rolling boil, then reduce to a steady simmer.
  • Stir in the heavy cream and continue simmering, stirring every 2–3 minutes so the pasta doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan.
  • Cook until the pasta is tender and the sauce thickens into a creamy consistency.
  • Stir in the grated Pecorino Romano (or Parmesan) and chopped parsley. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
  • Serve warm with extra Pecorino or Parmesan on top and bread for scooping.
Keyword homemade italian spaghettios, homemmade chicken soup, italian spaghettios, spaghettios
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