Kids in the Kitchen :: Creamy Cavatappi Pasta

As a family of 6, we all split the responsibilities that come with maintaining a household. Everyone has chores, including me and hubby. Also, everyone has a night when they are responsible for preparing dinner for the family.

On one particular day, it was the Twins turn to cook and they decided to cook Creamy Cavatappi Pasta.

My kids absolutely love Creamy Cavatappi Pasta. This inexpensive meal takes less than 30 minutes to prepare and rarely are there any leftovers. My kids can maneuver through this recipe alone with ease and **this is important** very little arguing.

Message from the Twins: We hope you enjoy our recipe!!!!

Ingredients

24 ounces (or 1 1/2 bags) of Cavatappi Pasta

1 Container of Mushrooms

1 White Onion

2 Pints of Heavy Cream 

4 Tablespoons of Flour 

2 sticks of Butter

1 Tablespoon Minced Garlic

½ – 1 cup of Shredded Parmesan Cheese

Italian Seasoning

Salt

Pepper

Parsely

Prep

Slice the onions and pre-measure your ingredients.

Cook the Cavatappi Pasta

Step 1: Bring salted water to a boil.

Step 2: Add the cavatappi pasta to the salted boiling water.

Make Your Cream Sauce

Step 1: Melt 4 Tbsp of butter in a pan.

Step 2: Add 4 Tbsp of all-purpose flour to the butter. (You’ve made a Roux!) Whisk together.

Step 3: Add the 2 pints of heavy cream to the roux. Whisk slowly while pouring it.

Step 4: Generously season the cream with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.

How do you know when the Cream Sauce is done? It will thicken. Once your cream sauce is done, set it aside.

Make the Sauteed Mushroom and Onions

Step 1: Add 4 Tbsp of butter to a pan. Allow it to melt.

Step 2: Add the minced garlic and onions.

Step 3: Season with salt and pepper.

Step 4: Cook onions until they are light brown.

Step 5: Add mushrooms and cook until light brown.

Step 6: Set aside when finished.

Mix the Sauce and Cavatappi Pasta

Step 1: Strain the pasta. Ask an adult if you need help.

Step 2: Add ½ of the pasta back to the pot. 

Step 3: Add your cream sauce to the pot. Add more pasta if you need to.

Step 4: Add shredded parmesan cheese. 

Plating:

Step 1: Place your Creamy Cavatappi Pasta in a bowl.

Step 2: Optional: Add sauteed mushrooms and onions to the top.

Step 3: Sprinkle a few parsley flakes for flare.

Pro Tips: 

-Sprinkle some Tony Chachere’s Cajun Seasoning for a little spice! 

-Crisp some cubed pancetta in a skillet and sprinkle on top.

Mom Tip:

-If you chop and steam cauliflower and add it to the Creamy Cavatappi Pasta, the kids will never know.

For Dad Tips, check out “Cooking with Kids: One Dad’s Life Lessons from the Kitchen”

Want more kid friendly recipes? Check out this post.