The forecast is looking toasty for this first pasta trend. You won't believe it, but folks are toasting uncooked pasta before they boil it to give it a nutty depth of flavor. Want to give this a try? Simply set your oven to 350 degrees F, spread the pasta out on a sheet pan, and toast your noodles until they're slightly brown, 10 to 15 minutes. Now you can cook your pasta according to package instructions and toss it in your favorite sauce.

Our next tip is a "fried" and true winner that's blowing up all across social media. Many posters are frying rice noodles for a crunchy snack in seconds. When the rice noodles hit the hot oil, they puff up almost like magic!

This just in! Noodles aren't just for eating anymore. People are using them to entertain the kiddos too. We came across a lot of folks who are making their own D.I.Y. sensory boxes with all types of noodles. It's a box full of fun for babies and toddlers. Parents are cooking long pasta and putting it in a dish tub or bin with toys like balls, cars or plastic figures. This D.I.Y. sensory bin is a fantastic way to occupy busy little hands. For a more colorful experience, some moms and dads even use food coloring to dye the pasta before they fill the bin.

Other busy parents are entertaining their little tykes with D.I.Y. sensory pads. These are large resealable bags filled with colored water and, you guessed it, a little uncooked pasta! Little ones love to squish and play with these cool homemade toys. They're an easy, fun way to entertain the baby long enough to get dinner on the table.

That's all for now! This has been The Kitchen's Noodle News.