Chica's Noodle Nest

Ingredients:

• 1 16 oz pack fettuccine noodles
• 4 tbsp. Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp. Italian herb seasoning
• 3 tbsp. breadcrumbs
• 12 grape tomatoes, sliced
• 24 medium pitted sliced black olives
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 2 cups baby spinach leaves
• 24 turkey meatballs (prepackaged is fine)

*Note: Whole olives and grape tomatoes are choking hazards for children 4 years and younger, so dice them for younger Sproutlets.

Supplies

• Foil baking cups (paper lined)
• Cooking pot
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Mixing bowl
• Mixing spoons
• Muffin pan
• Non-stick cooking spray
• Serving dish
• Slotted spoon
• Small containers (to hold ingredients that Sproutlets will add!)
• Strainer
• Tongs

Directions

1. Start by measuring all ingredients and setting out in small containers to make it easier for Sproutlets to create a nest for Big Bird!
2. Prepare fettuccine and meatballs according to package directions. Strain. A Grown-up Sprout should handle the hot water and noodles! Rinse noodles with cold water and toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil to prevent sticking. Cool.
3. While cooling, work together with your Sproutlet to make a yummy sauce for your nest: ¼ cup of the olive oil, 1 tsp. Italian seasoning, 2 tbs. parmesan cheese. Set aside. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. A grown-up will need to do the baking!
4. Make breadcrumb topping: Mix 2 tbs. Parmesan cheese and 3 tbs. breadcrumbs together in a small bowl. Set aside.
5. Put baking cups in muffin pan (leave one corner muffin cup open and it’s easier to take out of the oven!) An adult should spray inside baking cups with a touch of nonstick cooking spray.
6. Fill muffin cups to top with fettuccine noodles, about ¼ cup, to make mini nests. Clean, bare Sproutlet hands make great playful pasta scoopers!
7. Top noodle nests with uncooked baby spinach leaves. Fill each nest with two turkey meatballs and some olive, and tomato slices. Big Bird will get a big surprise when he finds these cute little eggs in his nest!
8. Spoon 1 tsp. of the sauce mixture on top of your nest, stirring well between each spoonful.
9. Sprinkle with breadcrumb mixture and bake until golden. Big Bird loves breadcrumbs!
10. Cool and serve.
11. Leftovers can be frozen, and defrosted later, for a lickety-split lunch!
     

Nutrition Facts
per serving (1 nest)

Nutritional analysis and facts have been provided by: