Pasta with (Not So) Hidden Veggies
Do you have a picky eater on your hands or just someone who doesn’t like to work his/her jaw muscles on biting and chewing veggies? Then this recipe is just for you and that special someone in your life. Even if not, this pasta is packed with so much nutrition that you would like to include in your regular weekly menu planning. There are some vegetables that, in opinion of some, don’t taste good in a pasta dish – for eg. Cauliflower. But it’s just such a versatile veggie to cook, you can find it fresh almost all year round, and is a great source of Vitamin C, B3 and folic acid. I cook a lot with cauliflower, in many different forms and flavors. Indian recipes like aloo gobhi (potatoes and cauliflower), gobhi parantha, in rice, biryani, mix vegetable sabzi etc., and also in tacos, soups and just as roasted cauliflower. So good!!
I started adding cauliflower to kid’s pasta not as a way of sneaking and hiding some veggies but as a way to make the pasta sauce more hearty and healthy for the little tummies. Both my kids are good about eating their veggies and salads but still this recipe is a great way to add more punch to any pasta dish. The pasta sauce is loaded with cauliflower and carrots along with the usual pasta participants like onion, garlic, tomato sauce and whatever other veggies (or meat) your heart desires.
Using whole-wheat (or any other whole-grain) pasta is the absolute best pasta choice nutritionally. Step away from “enriched” macaroni/pasta products because there is no need of any fancy nutrients or health benefits added to whole wheat/grain pasta, as it is naturally packed with nutrition. I try to follow, as much as possible, the rule of having less than 5 ingredients on the box of any packaged product I buy, to avoid highly processed foods.
Another practice that I adopted few years ago, is not to buy the pre-grated/shredded cheese bags. As convenient as it is to use that stuff, it is not the healthiest. Try to buy a block of whatever cheese you need and then grate/shred it at home. You could also use your food processor to grate a block of cheese and then store it in the refrigerator or portion it and freeze it (yes I freeze my cheese…sorry!).
Ingredients:
Whole wheat pasta (Rotini or Penne work best in this recipe)– ½ lb or 250 gm
Cauliflower – about 1/4th head or 1 cup of florets
Carrot – 1, big
Olive oil – 1.5 tablespoon
Garlic – 1 clove
White onion – 1/2, medium
Frozen chopped mixed vegetables/ your choice of chopped veggies – 1 cup (optional)
Pasta sauce/ Marinara (store-bought or homemade) – 1 cup
Italian seasoning – 1 teaspoon
Heavy cream/whole milk – ¼ cup
Fresh basil – 5-6 leaves
Parmesan cheese – ¼ cup
Salt and pepper – to taste.
Method:
Add water to a big sauce-pan/stock pot and set it on high heat. Add generous amount of salt to this water, cover and set to boil. While you are waiting for the water to boil, grate/shred the cauliflower and peel and grate the carrot. You can also use your food processor for this step, but since I don’t own one, I use my trusted box grater..:P. The idea behind shredding these veggies is that you should not be able to tell that there is cauliflower and carrots in the pasta sauce. Mince garlic and chop the onion. Grate Parmesan and chiffonade or tear the basil leaves.
Once the water starts to boil, add the pasta to it and cook it according to package directions. If making this pasta for kids, I boil the pasta a minute or two longer that the suggested time so that it is not as “al-dente”.
In a heavy-bottomed skillet add olive oil and minced garlic and set it on medium low. Adding garlic to the oil first and then heating it perfumes the oil and your kitchen fills with garlic aroma. Once the garlic starts sizzling (don’t let it brown), add onions, cauliflower and carrots. Add a pinch of salt and cook, stirring frequently, for about 10 minutes to cook the shredded veggies. Add the frozen veggies (if using) followed by the marinara/pasta sauce. Mix and cook for 2-3 minutes before adding cream or milk. Lower the heat.
Check the pasta for doneness. Reserve a cup of pasta water and then drain the pasta. Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the veggie sauce. Add Italian seasoning, salt (sparingly) and pepper and give everything a big mix. Add parmesan cheese and basil leaves. Serve hot!
Love – Vaishali
Note: Remember that pasta water we reserved – if you feel that your pasta gets too dry after cooking, add pasta water to loosed the sauce and “moisten” your pasta.
Tools used
Sauce pan/stock pot
Heavy bottomed skillet
Spatulas
Colander/strainer
Measuring cups/spoons
Knife and chopping board
Box grater
Stephanie
July 12, 2018 at 11:46 amThis looks great! We don’t have picky eaters, but I love a new recipe that’s easy and has great flavors combined. We’ll be trying this out, thank you!
Vaishali
July 12, 2018 at 4:03 pmThat’s great Stephanie! Thanks..:)
Katie
July 12, 2018 at 9:51 pmI can’t wait to try this for my kids! It looks great! 😋
Vaishali
July 13, 2018 at 12:13 amThanks Katie!
Jess
July 13, 2018 at 3:02 pmThis looks great, I’m always trying to find ways to incorporate more veggies! Can’t wait to try!
Emily
July 13, 2018 at 4:56 pmThis sounds so good! I would have never thought about adding cauliflower! This is something I will have to try!
Marissa | Squirrels of a Feather
July 16, 2018 at 1:23 pmI would have never guessed! Cauliflower, who would have thunk it 😉 I like to put veggies in my kids meatballs…this is also a great option!
Tracy, The Cleland Clan
July 25, 2018 at 11:28 amMy two year old granddaughter is here for the week and refuses to eat vegetables. She does like pasta though, so I’m going to give this a try. It looks delicious!
Vaishali
July 25, 2018 at 11:33 amThanks Tracy. Please let me know if your grand daughter likes it..<3
Pavan K
July 25, 2018 at 9:57 pmWowww — That picture looks absolutely delicious! I am always finding pasta recipes to try out. I always get bored of getting pasta one way. I will give this recipe a go! Thank you
Thea
July 25, 2018 at 11:29 pmWow! This looks so delicious and easy to make! I’m going to try it out for dinner.
Kate - TheHomeWanderers.com
July 26, 2018 at 8:30 amWhat a great idea! I never thought about adding cauliflower to tomato pasta sauce – I am definitely trying this (especially because my boyfriend isn’t a ‘vegetable’ guy and always moans at me for my chunky veggies!!!) Also, love your trip to buy products with only max 5 ingredients, I’m definitely stealing this rule! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Jen @ Jenron Designs
July 26, 2018 at 10:16 amI think adding cauliflower is a interesting take for a Italian style pasta. I really like the uniqueness of this recipe.
Luci
July 26, 2018 at 10:27 amYummy, I’ll have to make this recipe the next time I have a craving for pasta. I know my niece and nephews will love this.
deb
July 26, 2018 at 6:06 pmYes – I do this too! Mine used to be so good at eating veggies but have gotten worse with age. I blend up veggies all the time and hide them.
Deb
http://www.bookinspiredplay.com
Lisa
July 26, 2018 at 7:14 pmCauliflower is one of my favorite vegetables, I am going to try this recipe! Also great tip for getting the littles to eat their veggies! I remember how my girls loved my chocolate cake until an adult made the mistake of mentioning that my zucchini cake was moist and delicious, after that, all three of them wouldn’t touch it. So silly!
Brie
July 26, 2018 at 9:19 pmDelicious! Looks warm, vibrant and juicy. I have not cooked with this strain of pasta before.
Kathleen
July 26, 2018 at 9:31 pmomg this loooks so good!!
Mirlene
July 27, 2018 at 4:34 amMy children loooovvess pasta! So I know for a fact they will devour this one. Great recipe.
Sophia Inza
July 27, 2018 at 5:33 pmWow I love this! A way to get any extra veggies in is a plus for me!