The holidays are a time for beloved traditions, from trimming the tree to baking gingerbread cookies. This year, a new, bright green tradition is making its way from social media feeds into family kitchens: Grinch Spaghetti. This playful dish is exactly what it sounds like: spaghetti turned a vibrant, festive green, inspired by the classic holiday character. The trend is delighting kids and sparking some lighthearted debate among adults online.
It’s a simple dinnertime twist, with a big visual impact. To create the dish, home cooks add green food coloring to the boiling water before cooking their pasta. The result is a pot full of noodles fit for a resident of Whoville, ready to be served with your favorite sauce.
A Trend Goes Viral
The Grinch Spaghetti phenomenon has been bubbling up on TikTok, with countless users sharing their own takes on the colorful meal. One video, from a user named Kayla who posts under the handle @kayla.younggg, captured our attention. Her short, 14-second clip showcases the entire process. It begins with her breaking a handful of spaghetti into a pot of boiling, salted water. She then adds a generous swirl of green food dye, transforming the water into a bubbling green concoction. The final shot shows a plate of the finished Grinch-green spaghetti topped with a classic red tomato sauce.
Kayla’s video has quickly amassed over 1.5 million views, and clearly resonates with many, offering an easy way to add a touch of whimsy to a simple weeknight dinner during a busy time of year.
A Spirited Kitchen Debate
While many are charmed by the festive green pasta, the comments section of Kayla’s video reveals that the internet has some strong opinions, and not just about the color. Her choice to break the spaghetti in half before boiling it has ignited a classic culinary debate.
“WE DON’T BREAK THE SPAGHETTI,” one passionate user commented in all capital letters, representing a camp of pasta purists. Others quickly jumped in to defend the practice, citing smaller pots or the preference of their children. One commenter gently tried to calm the waters, writing, “there’s no wrong or right way to eat something.” This friendly back-and-forth highlights how cooking is often about personal preference and making things work for your own family.
Beyond the great spaghetti-break debate, other users offered creative suggestions to enhance the Grinch theme. One cute idea was to serve the green pasta with heart-shaped meatballs, a clever nod to the Grinch’s heart growing three sizes.
@kayla.younggg Trying to be the fun mom this holiday season!🤍 #christmas #christmasmeals #christmasideas #grinchideas #grinch ♬ You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch (A Funny Christmas Song) – Allan Sherman
Making the Season Joyful
The Grinch Spaghetti trend may be a whimsical, viral food fad, but it represents the desire for parents everywhere to make the holiday season magical and fun for their children. In the midst of planning, shopping, and decorating, simple things like a plateful of green spaghetti feel just…playful. It’s a chance to create new, silly traditions that kids will remember for years to come. Whether you break your spaghetti or not, this trend is a heartwarming reminder that the best part of the holidays is often found in the small, joyful moments shared with loved ones.
