How to Open Spaghetti Bags Just Like an Italian Nonna
Updated: Jan. 22, 2024
This trick is simple, but oh-so-satisfying.
Boxed pasta is a serious timesaver for weeknight dinners and comfort food emergencies. If you have a bag of spaghetti in your pantry, you’re just 30 minutes away from a scrumptious shrimp puttanesca or spaghetti with sausage and peppers. And while there isn’t exactly a wrong way to open a bag of pasta, we did learn an extra-delightful method this week, courtesy of a TikTok-famous Italian Nonna named Elda (@nonna.elda.cooks).
In the video, Nonna Elda’s method provokes an audible gasp from her grandchild Alessandra behind the camera. Check out Nonna Elda’s surprising spaghetti bag opening trick for yourself below.
@nonna.elda.cooks SPAGHETTI #Nonna #Italianfood #italiancanadian #nonnacooks #Toronto #cook #spaghetti #pastatiktok #pasta #learntocook #simplerecipes #food #italians ♬ original sound – Elda & Alessandra
In the video, Nonna Elda starts by instructing, “You never cut the spaghetti with scissors.” Then, she proceeds to hold the spaghetti bag in the middle and slam one end onto her kitchen counter. Much like opening a straw, the non-slammed end of the spaghetti is then pushed up through the packaging at the top, breaking the plastic and exposing the spaghetti to be poured into the prepped boiling water. So easy, and no special materials are needed! However, this method will only work for long pasta types, such as spaghetti, linguini, fettuccine, or angel hair pastas.
Does Nonna’s Spaghetti Bag Trick Work for Boxes?
Now, not all spaghetti comes in bags, so you may be curious if this trick works with boxes. According to the comments, it seems like it does not (unless your Nonna is supernaturally strong!). But fortunately, those little box closure tabs are easy enough, if less impressive, for closing your pasta.
Also, know what to add to spaghetti sauce make it taste homemade.
Best Spaghetti Recipes
Now that your spaghetti bag is open and ready to go, it’s time to break out your favorite pasta recipes. For inspiration, be sure to check out these favorites:
- Baked Spaghetti
- Pesto Shrimp Pasta
- Monterey Spaghetti
- Mushroom Turkey Tetrazzini
- Florentine Spaghetti Bake
They are filling, simple and offer plenty of variety to keep your weeknight dinners fresh and exciting. Mangia, mangia!
Fork-Twirling Good Spaghetti Recipes
Broccoli Beef Lo MeinMy family loves pasta, but I'm always looking for different ways to prepare it. This dish is better than any Chinese restaurant variety I've tried.—Joan Crandall, Burlington, Connecticut
Spaghetti Pork ChopsThe moist chops simmer to perfection in a tangy sauce, then are served over pasta. This was one of my mother's most-loved recipes. —Ellen Gallavan, Midland, Michigan
Pesto Shrimp PastaA dash of red pepper puts zip in this lively main dish. —Gloria Jones Grenga, Newnan, Georgia
Ground Beef Spaghetti SkilletI remember my grandma making this stovetop supper many times—we always loved Granny’s spaghetti! My husband and I now enjoy making this for our dinner. You can easily use ground turkey instead of ground beef if that’s what you happen to have on hand. —Jill Thomas, Washington, Indiana
My Best Spaghetti & MeatballsOne of my favorite childhood memories is going to the Old Spaghetti Factory with my family and ordering a big plate of cheesy spaghetti, meatballs and garlic bread. My homemade recipe reminds me of those fun times and satisfies everyone's craving for good Italian food. —Erika Monroe-Williams, Scottsdale, Arizona
Spaghetti with BaconAs children, we always requested this dish for our birthday dinners. Our mother got the recipe from her grandmother. Now I pass on our tasty tradition. —Ruth Keogh, North St. Paul, Minnesota
Shrimp PuttanescaI throw together these bold ingredients for a feisty seafood pasta. —Lynda Balslev, Sausalito, California
Florentine Spaghetti BakeThis hearty sausage entree will appeal to just about everyone. My daughter serves it often to her hardworking family on their wheat ranch in Montana. —Lorraine Martin, Lincoln, California
Spaghetti with Sausage and PeppersSmoked turkey sausage with strips of fresh bell peppers is a healthy change of pace from Italian sausage or ground beef in your spaghetti. —Ginger Harrell, El Dorado, Arkansas
Creamy Chicken FettuccineConvenient canned soup and process American cheese hurry along the assembly of this creamy sauce loaded with delicious chunks of chicken. —Melissa Cowser, Greenville, Texas
Rustic Summer Vegetable PastaMy veggie pasta proves you can’t have too much of a good thing. Feel free to change it up with whatever fresh veggies are in the garden or farmers market. —Bryn Namavari, Chicago, Illinois
Quick CarbonaraCarbonara is a dinnertime classic, but my version cuts down on the time it takes to make. Loaded with ham, bacon, olives, garlic and Parmesan, it certainly doesn't skimp on flavor. —Carole Martin, Tallahassee, Florida
Church Supper SpaghettiBecause this recipe feeds so many, I often take it to church dinners and potlucks. This colorful dish also comes in handy when we have lots of help to feed on our farm. —Verlyn Wilson, Wilkinson, Indiana
Nana's Italian RouladeMy great-aunt from Sicily taught my mother how to stuff and bake a steak in a jelly-roll style. It’s unique and really special in our family. —Roseanne McDonald, Days Creek, Oregon
Mushroom Turkey TetrazziniThis creamy, comforting casserole makes a fantastic way to use up that leftover Thanksgiving turkey. And it’s a real family-pleaser! —Linda Howe, Lisle, Illinois.
Taco SpaghettiI came up with this kid-friendly taco spaghetti recipe one afternoon when I was using up leftover spaghetti and ground beef. When I'm lucky enough to have extra time, I make two batches and freeze one. —Johanna Van Ness, Wichita, Kansas
Spinach-Beef Spaghetti PieWith its angel hair pasta crust, this cheesy ground beef, tomato and spinach pie is always a hit when I serve it. Each neat slice has layers of pasta, cream cheese filling and spinach topping. —Carol Hicks
Pensacola, Florida
Rich Baked SpaghettiIt takes a little longer to make baked spaghetti, but the difference in taste, texture and richness is well worth the time. I serve this lasagna-style dish with a tossed green salad and breadsticks for a hearty, healthy meal. —Betty Rabe, Mahtomedi, Minnesota
Hearty Garden SpaghettiMy husband and I wanted a pleasing dish that didn’t leave a ton of leftovers. My spaghetti with beef and fresh veggies is perfectly filling for four. —Wanda Quist, Loveland, Colorado
Spaghetti & Meatball Skillet SupperI developed this one-skillet spaghetti and meatball dish to cut down on cooking time on busy nights. The beans, artichokes and tomatoes bump up the nutrition factor, while the lemon and parsley make it pop with brightness. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California
Chicken & Cheese Noodle BakeThis is the recipe my daughters and I often make for new parents when they come home from the hospital. With its creamy spaghetti filling and melted cheese topping, this casserole holds a nice cut and comforts hungry tummies. —Fancheon Resler, Bluffton, Indiana
Beef & Spinach Lo MeinIf you like a good stir-fry, this beef and spinach lo mein will definitely satisfy. I discovered the recipe at an international luncheon, and it's now a favorite go-to meal. —Denise Patterson, Bainbridge, Ohio
Originally Published: May 03, 2023
