Kid Quick Creamy Tomato Pasta with Hidden Veggies
Kid Quick Creamy Tomato Pasta with Hidden Veggies
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces pasta, such as penne, rotini, or shells
- 1 teaspoon salt, for pasta water
For the Hidden Veggie Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 yellow onion, small, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, medium, peeled and finely grated
- 1 zucchini, small, finely grated
- 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
⏱️ 4 min
- 3
Add the minced garlic, grated carrots, and grated zucchini to the skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and most of their moisture has evaporated. The vegetables should be very soft and blend into the sauce easily.
⏱️ 7 min
- 4
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, vegetable broth, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 10 min
- 5
Remove the sauce from the heat. If you want an extra smooth sauce, carefully transfer it to a blender and blend until completely smooth. Alternatively, use an immersion blender directly in the pot. Return the sauce to the skillet if you used a regular blender.
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
Stir the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese into the sauce until well combined and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
Add the drained cooked pasta to the creamy tomato sauce. Toss gently to coat all the pasta evenly. Serve immediately, garnished with extra grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
⏱️ 2 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Kid Quick Creamy Tomato Pasta with Hidden Veggies
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces pasta, such as penne, rotini, or shells
- 1 teaspoon salt, for pasta water
For the Hidden Veggie Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 yellow onion, small, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, medium, peeled and finely grated
- 1 zucchini, small, finely grated
- 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
⏱️ 4 min - 3
Add the minced garlic, grated carrots, and grated zucchini to the skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and most of their moisture has evaporated. The vegetables should be very soft and blend into the sauce easily.
⏱️ 7 min - 4
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, vegetable broth, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 10 min - 5
Remove the sauce from the heat. If you want an extra smooth sauce, carefully transfer it to a blender and blend until completely smooth. Alternatively, use an immersion blender directly in the pot. Return the sauce to the skillet if you used a regular blender.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Stir the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese into the sauce until well combined and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
Add the drained cooked pasta to the creamy tomato sauce. Toss gently to coat all the pasta evenly. Serve immediately, garnished with extra grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
⏱️ 2 min