Dinnertime just got a whole lot easier! With this premade meal plan take the stress out of meal time. Each recipe is ready in 30 minutes or less to save you time and money while being inspired to try new recipes!
Dinnertime just got a whole lot easier! With this premade meal plan take the stress out of meal time. Each recipe is ready in 30 minutes or less to save you time and money while being inspired to try new recipes!
Have fun this Halloween with this done for you meal plan! Filled with my kids favorites throughout the years, it’s guaranteed to put a smile on your little ghoul’s face.
Have fun this Halloween with this done for you meal plan! Filled with my kids favorites throughout the years, it’s guaranteed to put a smile on your little ghoul’s face.
If you’re looking for a Halloween dinner recipe that’s spooky, silly, and sure to please the kids, these Freaky Franks are a must-try. With just a few ingredients and a little bit of creativity, you can whip up these fun, hair-raising hot dogs for your next Halloween party or dinner before trick-or-treating! Kids love this creepy crawly…
If you’re looking for a Halloween dinner recipe that’s spooky, silly, and sure to please the kids, these Freaky Franks are a must-try. With just a few ingredients and a little bit of creativity, you can whip up these fun, hair-raising hot dogs for your next Halloween party or dinner before trick-or-treating! Kids love this creepy crawly recipe for a quick and easy Halloween dinner!
Kid-approved fun: My kids absolutely love these! They can’t get enough of the “creepy” hot dogs with spaghetti “hair.” Not to mention serving them in tomato sauce for a gory presentation!
Easy to make: This recipe only takes a few ingredients, and it’s simple enough that the kids can help too! It’s so my fun!
Spaghetti: You can use regular spaghetti or opt for whole wheat spaghetti for a healthier twist that gives this Halloween dinner recipe a bit more fiber while still being kid-friendly.
Veggie, turkey, or beef hot dogs: Use your favorite kind of hot dog to make the base of these spooky creatures. Veggie dogs work great if you want a plant-based version, or you can use turkey or beef hot dogs if your crew prefers!
Tomato sauce: A simple sauce that adds flavor and a spooky pop of color to your Freaky Franks. You can use store-bought marinara or make your own homemade tomato sauce recipe!
How to Make Freaky Franks for Halloween Dinner
Step 1: Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.
Step 2: Cut each hot dog into 3-4 even pieces (depending on the size of your hot dog).
Step 3: Break the spaghetti in half into 4-inch pieces. Carefully poke the spaghetti pieces through the hot dog pieces lengthwise, creating a “spaghetti hair” effect.
Step 4: Drop the Freaky Franks into the boiling water and cook for 10-11 minutes until the spaghetti is tender. Drain the water.
Step 5: Serve the Freaky Franks with a side of tomato sauce for dipping. You can also pour the sauce over the top for a messier (and more “gory”) presentation!
Tips and Tricks
Poking the spaghetti: It can be a little tricky to poke the dry spaghetti through the hot dogs, so be gentle and patient. This is a great part for kids to help with!
Make-ahead option: You can prep the Freaky Franks ahead of time and refrigerate them until you’re ready to cook.
Freaky Franks are the ultimate spooky, kid-friendly recipe to make your Halloween both fun and delicious! Whether you’re throwing a party or just want a creative Halloween dinner idea, this easy dish will have the kids asking for more! Plus, it’s a great way to get in a healthier option before the candy rush. So grab some spaghetti, hot dogs, and sauce, and get ready for some creepy, tasty fun! Would love to know what you think of this recipe – leave a rating and comment below!
1/2packagespaghetti(whole wheat spaghetti for extra fiber!)
8veggie, turkey or beef hot dogs
2cups tomato or marinara sauce
Instructions
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.
Cut each hot dog into 3-4 even pieces (depending on the size of your hot dog).
Break the spaghetti in half into 4-5 inch pieces. Carefully poke the spaghetti pieces through the hot dog pieces lengthwise, creating a “spaghetti hair” effect.
Drop the Freaky Franks into the boiling water and cook for 10-11 minutes until the spaghetti is tender. Drain the water.
Serve the Freaky Franks with a side of tomato sauce for dipping. You can also pour the sauce over the top for a messier (and more “gory”) presentation!
Video
Notes
Poking the spaghetti: It can be a little tricky to poke the dry spaghetti through the hot dogs, so be gentle and patient. This is a great part for kids to help with!
Make-ahead option: You can prep the Freaky Franks ahead of time and refrigerate them until you’re ready to cook.
Tender chicken, rich cream cheese, and perfectly seasoned spaghetti comes together effortlessly with the help of your slow cooker. Perfect for busy weeknights. If you love creamy pasta recipes, this slow cooker chicken spaghetti is a unique dinner reci…
Tender chicken, rich cream cheese, and perfectly seasoned spaghetti comes together effortlessly with the help of your slow cooker. Perfect for busy weeknights. If you love creamy pasta recipes, this slow cooker chicken spaghetti is a unique dinner recipe with comforting flavor. Simmer the chicken in a creamy sauce all day, then add in the…
Spaghetti Cakes are the ultimate hack for turning leftover spaghetti into something exciting! Spaghetti Cakes are a perfect marriage between Rice Cakes and Noodle Pancakes. They’re super simple to make and a ton of fun to eat! Who would have thought you could eat spaghetti with your hands?! Why I Love This Recipe The Ingredients Variations and…
Spaghetti Cakes are the ultimate hack for turning leftover spaghetti into something exciting! Spaghetti Cakes are a perfect marriage between Rice Cakes and Noodle Pancakes. They’re super simple to make and a ton of fun to eat! Who would have thought you could eat spaghetti with your hands?!
Leftover Spaghetti Hack: I love leftovers. I’ll often double recipes just so I have one less thing to cook the next day. Sometimes, for kids, leftovers just aren’t “exciting” enough, but turning them into something different is the ultimate hack! Next time you have leftover spaghetti in your refrigerator and your kids turn up their nose, you know what to do!
Kid-Friendly: Every time I make something my kids can eat with their hands, like Easy Chicken Nuggets, Crispy Fish Fingers and this recipe, they’re more excited to eat it. Plus, these spaghetti cakes are great for messy toddlers who are always throwing their spaghetti on the floor!
School Lunch Winner: This recipe is a great one to include in your kid’s school lunch rotation, especially if you made spaghetti the night before. They’re very lunchbox friendly and sure to get eaten. If you’re looking for more fun, handheld lunchbox recipes try my Tex Mex Rice Cakes or these Veggie Pancakes.
The Ingredients
Spaghetti: Use cooked and cooled spaghetti for this recipe. Leftovers work great here!
Marinara Sauce: Adds a touch of tang and binds everything together.
Eggs: Acts as the glue to hold the cakes together.
Capers: Adds a burst of salty flavor that contrasts beautifully with the marinara.
Olives: You can use black or green—whichever you prefer. They add great texture and briny flavor.
Cheese: Parmesan or mozzarella works well to add richness and a bit of gooeyness.
Olive Oil: For frying the cakes to crispy perfection.
Marinara Sauce for Dipping: Because who doesn’t love a dip with their crispy cakes?
Variations and Substitutions
Swap the Pasta: Any long pasta like linguine or fettuccine would work in this recipe if that’s what you have.
Add Some Veggies: Finely diced bell peppers, spinach, or even shredded zucchini could work here. Just be sure to squeeze out excess moisture from any veggies you add so the cakes stay crispy.
Shredded Cheese: Feel free to use whatever shredded cheese you have on hand for these spaghetti cakes.
No Olives or Capers?: If those briny flavors aren’t your thing, feel free to skip them. Or you can replace them with a handful of chopped sun-dried tomatoes for a little extra zing if you’d like!
How to Make Spaghetti Cakes
Step 1: Place spaghetti in a bowl and cut into 1/4-1/2 inch pieces using scissors.
Step 2: Toss cut pasta with remaining ingredients until completely coated.
Step 3: Heat a large sauté pan over medium/high and add a thin layer of oil.
Step 4: Using a large ice cream scoop or 1/4 cup measuring cup place mixture into sauté pan and flatten slightly to form a 1/2-1 inch thick disk.
Step 5: Cook cakes for 4 minutes on each side or until golden.
Step 6: Serve spaghetti cakes with additional marinara sauce for dipping.
Tips and Tricks
Use Leftover Spaghetti: This recipe works best when the spaghetti is cold. If you make fresh pasta, cool or refrigerate it before you make this recipe, so that the cakes are easier to form.
Kitchen Scissors: The key to cutting the spaghetti noodles into smaller pieces is using kitchen shears! I used these herb scissors that did just the trick and saved me a ton of time! Once you chop your cooked spaghetti, this recipe comes together in no time.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan. If you put too many cakes in at once, they won’t crisp up properly.
This recipe is one of my favorite ways to transform leftovers into something new. Let me know what you think of this recipe by leaving a comment and rating below!
Spaghetti Cakes are the ultimate hack for turning leftover spaghetti into something exciting! Who would have thought you could eat spaghetti with your hands?!
Place spaghetti in a bowl and cut into 1/4-1/2 inch pieces using scissors.
Toss cut pasta with remaining ingredients until completely coated.
Heat a large sauté pan over medium/high and add a thin layer of oil.
Using a large ice cream scoop or 1/4 cup measuring cup place mixture into sauté pan and flatten slightly to form a 1/2-1 inch thick disk.
Cook cakes for 4 minutes on each side or until golden.
Serve with marinara sauce.
Notes
Use Leftover Spaghetti: This recipe works best when the spaghetti is cold. If you make fresh pasta, cool or refrigerate it before you make this recipe, so that the cakes are easier to form.
Kitchen Scissors: The key to cutting the spaghetti noodles into smaller pieces is using kitchen shears! I used these herb scissors that did just the trick and saved me a ton of time! Once you chop your cooked spaghetti, this recipe comes together in no time.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan. If you put too many cakes in at once, they won’t crisp up properly.
Enjoy bruschetta chicken pasta with juicy chicken and fresh tomatoes in a basil sauce over pasta. Easy, and perfect for busy weeknights or casual dinners.
Enjoy bruschetta chicken pasta with juicy chicken and fresh tomatoes in a basil sauce over pasta. Easy, and perfect for busy weeknights or casual dinners.
Dinnertime just got a whole lot easier! With this premade meal plan take the stress out of meal time. Save time and money while being inspired to try new recipes!
Dinnertime just got a whole lot easier! With this premade meal plan take the stress out of meal time. Save time and money while being inspired to try new recipes!
Dinnertime just got a whole lot easier! With this premade meal plan take the stress out of meal time. Save time and money while being inspired to try new recipes!
Dinnertime just got a whole lot easier! With this premade meal plan take the stress out of meal time. Save time and money while being inspired to try new recipes!
Dinnertime just got a whole lot easier! With this premade meal plan take the stress out of meal time. Save time and money while being inspired to try new recipes!
Dinnertime just got a whole lot easier! With this premade meal plan take the stress out of meal time. Save time and money while being inspired to try new recipes!
