Ingredients:
– 1 lb Penne Pasta
– Gallon Ziploc bags
– Food Coloring (Red, Yellow, Blue, Green)
Instructions:
1. Boil Pasta: Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse it with cold water in your colander to cool it down.
2. Divide Pasta: Evenly distribute the cooked pasta into 6 Ziploc bags.
3. Add Food Coloring
– For each bag, choose a color of the rainbow spectrum: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, and Purple.
– Add 7-10 drops of the corresponding food coloring into each bag.
– If you’re mixing colors, start with the lighter color and gradually add the darker one. For instance, if you’re making Orange, add yellow first and then slowly add red to prevent overpowering.
4. Mix Colors: Seal the Ziploc bags securely and shake them well to evenly coat the pasta with the food coloring. Make sure each pasta piece gets a good coating of color.
5. Set Colors: Place the sealed bags in the refrigerator for at least several hours or overnight. This allows the colors to dry and set fully, preventing them from bleeding together. This step ensures you’ll have vibrant, distinct colors rather than ending up with brown pasta when serving.
6. Serve with Toppings: When ready to serve, offer a small “topping bar” alongside the rainbow pasta. Some suggested toppings include:
– Pesto
– Shredded Parmesan cheese
– Brightly colored bell peppers (diced)
– Diced tomatoes
These toppings not only add extra flavor but also enhance the rainbow theme of the dish, making it visually appealing and fun for kids to customize their pasta.
Enjoy your colorful and delicious Rainbow Pasta with your family!