Dinosaur Pasta Salad For Kids
June 5, 2020
Healthy Dinosaur pasta salad with veggies, cheese, and bacon

Dinosaur Pasta Salad Summer Snack Ideas For Kids

Dinosaur pasta? Oh yes, you heard me right. There are delightfully shaped noodles in all dinosaur forms. Try out this Summer snack idea for kids and see if we can get them to eat something other than mac and cheese for lunch!

Healthy Dinosaur pasta for kids

Dinosaur Pasta Ingredients

Ingredients for Dinosaur Pasta for kids by Salt Lake Party Stylist
  • Dino Pasta of course!
  • Butter
  • Lightly steamed broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, peas, etc.
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Cheese cubes
  • Crumbled Bacon {optional}

Cook Dinosaur Pasta

I'm always tempted to purchase cute shaped pasta noodles but often they end up as a mushy mess. The trick is to keep them al dente as they lose shape if too soft.

That means don't overcook them in Italian. 😂

Once cooked, toss with butter.

Steam Pasta Salad Veggies

Healthy Dinosaur pasta salad with veggies in bowl

Choosing veggies your kids will eat is key. But also keep in mind the texture. My kids all eat steamed buttered broccoli so that's what I added. Use veggies they love, then introduce something new to have them try.

The trick is to make healthy food fun by calling them something else:

  • Prehistoric trees – steamed or raw broccoli
  • Dino poop – steamed peas
  • Dinosaur teeth – steamed corn
  • Dino eggs – cherry tomatoes
  • Dinosaur tails – steamed asparagus
  • Dino lips – red pepper strips

Add the Cheese Cubes

Cheese makes everything taste better! I cut up Colby Jack cheese sticks {cause I always have those on hand} but any cheese your kiddo likes is perfect.

Cheese is easily omitted for Herbivores if desired.

Add Meat for Hungry Carnivores

Healthy Dinosaur pasta salad with veggies, cheese, and bacon

Carnivores roam freely in my house and they want MEAT! I used real bacon crumbles in this one but have successfully substituted turkey bacon for a lower fat option.

Many vegetarian meat substitutes would work wonderfully here as well, or omit altogether if your family won't miss it.

Enjoy Your Dinosaur Pasta

Throw everything together and you've got a yummy and healthy dinosaur snack for your family! If you'd like to add dressing now's the time but my kids don't like any kind of vinegar based sauces.

A little Ranch Dressing is an easy add that gives them something to dip those veggies in if they aren't quite sure about eating them!

Find the full recipe below, although it's so easy you hardly need one! But if you DO try this out for your next Dinosaur Birthday party or summer camp, I'd love to see.

If you share please tag us @partieswithacause on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. We love seeing all your hard work!

Dinosaur Pasta For Kids

A healthy summer snack for children. Enjoy for a dinosaur themed birthday party, or summer camp activity
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Dinosaurs, Kid food, Pasta Salad, Veggies
Servings: 6 servings
Author: Brianna Adams

Ingredients

  • 1/2 pkg Dinosaur pasta prepared
  • 2 Tb Butter
  • 1/2 cup Broccoli florets steamed
  • 10 each Cherry tomatoes
  • 1/3 cup Cheese of choice cubed
  • 1/3 cup Turkey bacon crumbles
  • Additional vegetables optional: peas, corn, red peppers, green beans, asparagus, mushrooms, etc.

Instructions

  • Wash produce and cut broccoli
  • Steam broccoli until tender but not soft {optional if you prefer it raw}
  • Cut cheese into cubes, or use shreds if desired
  • Boil pasta until al dente, approximately 7 minutes. Over cooking will cause pasta to lose it's shape.
  • Drain noodles and toss with butter
  • Add veggies of choice, cheese, and bacon to pasta and mix lightly
  • Serve warm or cold, with a side of ranch dressing if desired

Notes

Kids are more likely to explore new vegetables when served in a fun way. This Dinosaur pasta salad is a great way to introduce a new flavor while serving a few favorites. Leave raw or steam depending on your children's preferences. I found serving the pasta WARM is  much better received. 

Summer Camp Activities: Week 1

Make this pasta while enjoying an at-home summer camp to keep your kids busy most of the summer! We've got 6 weeks worth of crafts, activities, snack ideas, exercise recommendations, books suggestions, and even themed tv show and movie ideas.

Summer Adventure field guide on desk for summer camp activities for kids

It’s DINOSAUR Week!

After you've nibbled your dinosaur noodles, you’ve got to try a few Dinosaur Themed Food Ideas from this list by Jordan’s Easy Entertaining!

Join us each week for NEW summer camp ideas! Get a whole weeks worth of activity ideas sent straight to your inbox each Friday. Sign up here and receive a free printable Summer Adventure Field Guide! {Sorry, the file is BIG so give it a little extra time to load!}

And join us next for SPACE WEEK!

Pin it for Later

Dinosaur pasta salad and healthy omnivore snack

Additional Dinosaur Food Ideas

Additional Dinosaur Craft Ideas

From the SHOP

8 Comments

    • Brianna Adams

      When I saw it at Walmart I grabbed several boxes. You can also order it. It’s come in handy a couple of times.

      Reply
  1. Natalie Mayhew

    You have thought of absolutely everything to make the perfect Dino summer camp. This is awesome!

    Reply
    • Brianna Adams

      Thank you so much! It’s been a blast pulling together all these fun ideas for everyone. It’s been great for my little family.

      Reply
      • Lizzbert

        What size was your package of dino pasta? I found some 12 oz bags

        Reply
        • Brianna Adams

          My box was 16oz but that makes a lot of pasta! 12oz should be fine unless you’re planning to feed lots of kids. Good luck!!

          Reply
  2. Lori

    What a fun and yummy meal! Love those Dino shapes!!

    Reply
    • Brianna Adams

      They are the best. Thank you so much. It’s a great way to make food fun.

      Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Nice To Meet You!

Gingerbread houses in a row as table runner centerpiece for a Christmas Cookie Exchange Party I’m Bri of Parties With A Cause. I’m a mother to three crazy awesome kids, interior designer, & party planning junky. I love reading, globe trotting, and frozen yogurt. And I’m elevating the party experience one cause at a time! Read More

As Seen On

Catch My Party

Copyright

I love it when you share! Please keep in mind that all images and text on this site are property of Parties With A Cause. Feel free to use one or two photos provided that a link back to my original post is included. Please do not remove any watermarks, crop, or edit any of my images without first obtaining written permission from me. All free printables offered are for personal use only. Purchased printables will come with their own terms of use. Pinning is always welcome and appreciated! Thank you!

Healthy food substitutions lists

Grab the Healthy Food Substitutions List for BEGINNERS

If you're ready to improve your lifestyle and the health of your family, join me in the "Healthy Hostess" movement. Where we serve great food to the people we love. With food that nourishes the body and events that feed the soul. Use this food subtitution list to plan more intentional holidays and gatherings. Collect healthier recipes, less stuff, and more meaningful memories, with me at Parties With A Cause. 

You are on your way to Healthier events! One food substitution at a time.

Pin It on Pinterest

Shares