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!
Dinosaur Pasta Ingredients
- 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
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
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
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
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.
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
Additional Dinosaur Food Ideas
- Prehistoric Dinosaur Food Ideas
- Dinosaur Cookies Edible Fossils {coming soon}
Additional Dinosaur Craft Ideas
- Dinosaur Fossils for Kids DIY
- Dino Dig Party Activity
- Dinosaur Egg Piñata DIY
- Dino Drool Clear Slime Recipe
- 21+ Dinosaur Craft for Kids: Child Approved
From the SHOP
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Dinosaur Fossil DIY Table Runner$3.79
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Dinosaur party welcome sign$3.79
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Dinosaur Party Food Tent Cards$4.39
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Dinosaur Party Activity – Dig Site Tool Kit Labels$7.39
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VALUE Bundle: Party-saurus Dinosaur Party Decor$24.42
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Dinosaur Prehistoric Birthday Invitation$11.39
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VALUE Bundle: Prehistoric Dinosaur Birthday Decor$24.42
I’ve never seen dino pasta before. What a fun treat!
When I saw it at Walmart I grabbed several boxes. You can also order it. It’s come in handy a couple of times.
You have thought of absolutely everything to make the perfect Dino summer camp. This is awesome!
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.
What size was your package of dino pasta? I found some 12 oz bags
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!!
What a fun and yummy meal! Love those Dino shapes!!
They are the best. Thank you so much. It’s a great way to make food fun.