Buddy The Elf's Breakfast Spaghetti Recipe

The winter holidays are a time to indulge in all manner of over-the-top treats, but you'd be hard-pressed to find anything more whimsically wacky than the breakfast spaghetti whipped up by Buddy in the movie "Elf." While the movie plays it for laughs, recipe developer Patterson Watkins wondered what it would be like to cook up this onscreen creation IRL. "After several re-watches of the movie," she tells us, "I'm pretty sure I narrowed down the ingredients so you may recreate this iconic dish at home."

While Watkins notes that Buddy's creation may bring about "a spike in those glucose levels" (even Will Ferrell had some difficulties with the "Elf" diet), Christmas comes but once a year, and this is the kind of dish you're going to want to try at least once. Sure, the combination of spaghetti, Pop-Tarts, and sweet syrups is a bit unusual, but it will certainly make for a holiday breakfast that you won't soon forget.

The ingredients for this recipe, as shown in the movie, are spaghetti, chocolate-flavored Pop-Tarts, maple syrup, chocolate syrup, miniature marshmallows, and M&Ms candies (red and green, if you'd like to stay on theme). Topping it all off are holiday-themed sprinkles, which Watkins aptly calls "a little Christmas magic."

Fill a large pot ¾ full with water and bring to a boil over high heat.

Once boiling, add spaghetti and cook according to package instructions.

Meanwhile, break Pop-Tarts into bite-size pieces. Set aside.

Once spaghetti is tender, drain, rinse under cold water, and shake to dry.

Transfer spaghetti to a large bowl and drizzle with maple syrup. Toss to coat.

Divide spaghetti among plates or place onto a large serving platter.

Drizzle with chocolate syrup.

Top with Pop-Tart pieces.

Sprinkle with mini marshmallows.

Sprinkle with M&M's.

Garnish with sprinkles before serving.

While Watkins' recipe is meant to duplicate the breakfast spaghetti shown in "Elf," she understands that you may wish to make a few changes to suit your own preferences. Some of the "festive embellishments" she suggests include switching up the syrups or changing up the Pop-Tart flavors. (You could even use a different brand of toaster pastries if you prefer.) Another possible addition would be the chocolate-flavored breakfast cereal that was included in 2022's limited-edition Hello Fresh Buddy the Elf spaghetti kit.

Watkins says that making the spaghetti could be "a fun, interactive activity" if you're sharing it with others and suggests setting out "a plethora of sweet treats and goodies to customize your own Elf breakfast spaghetti." OK, so your re-imagined dish may not be exactly the same as the one shown in the movie — but then again, cheerful chaos is pretty much an elf's stock-in-trade. Make whatever changes you wish, since, as Watkins assures us, "I'm pretty sure Buddy would approve whatever you choose as long as you're happy."

Watkins says she envisions this breakfast spaghetti as part of a spread for a brunch potluck, holiday breakfast buffet, or Christmas morning feast. "Best shared and consumed with friends and family, it is quite the showstopper!" she shares, adding that kids would especially love the sweet spaghetti. And if you prefer to save Buddy's pasta for a solo celebration, the amounts in this recipe can easily be reduced to make a smaller amount.

If you'll be eating this breakfast spaghetti as part of a larger meal, Watkins suggests serving it after a more savory dish, such as a quiche or casserole. As she sees it, the dish could serve as "breakfast dessert." When it comes to a beverage pairing, Watkins "would opt for a big glass of milk to wash it all down," but black coffee might help to offset some of the sugariness of this super-sweet spaghetti.