Easy Veggie Pasta for Kids

Pasta for Kids – The Perfect Way to Sneak in More Veggies

Kids need healthy food.

I feel like we can all basically agree that as parents, one of our primary goals is to get good healthy food into them as often as we can.

This, of course, is not the only thing we are attempting to accomplish on any given day, so if we can get good healthy food into them quickly, even better!!

It is also just true that some days we just don’t have what we need to make this happen. You might be out of time or energy. Or maybe that planned trip to the grocery store went sideways because of a blowout or a tantrum or a forgotten wallet.

No matter how hard you are trying, some days you will find yourself reaching for that box of pasta and powder cheese. I get it. I’ve done it. But I really felt like there had to be a better solution, even on the hardest of days.

The Kid-Friendly Pasta Solution for Tired Parents

So I came up with this quick and easy veggie-packed pasta for kids (or is it for parents?).

It’s a just-as-easy alternative to that quick reach for a less-than-healthy option.

This recipe takes no more time and makes no more mess than your standard boxed mac ‘n’ cheese but packs in SOOOOOO much more nutrition! The ingredients are all long shelf-life things you can have around always, for those days we all know so well.

Voila!!! Guilt-be-gone!!!! Start them early on this one, it doesn’t get easier than this guilt-free, go-to, one-pot dinner!!

Pro-Tip: Protein Pasta

To up the nutritional value here, I am loving this amazing new pasta I found! This Lentil Pasta is delicious and adds a great amount of plant-based protein to the dish. I buy it at Costco but you can also buy elsewhere, including Amazon.

Also love the Tolerant Brand bean and lentil pasta, so great to add to protein and nutrient value. Also, just found that at Costco too!!! (Did I mention I love Costco?)

Easy Veggie Pasta for Kids

A quick, healthy, nourishing pasta meal that's perfect for school lunches or a fast mid-week meal.

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Course Main Course, School Lunch

Cuisine American, Mediterranean

Ingredients

1 packet dry pasta of your choice (I like rice pasta, elbows or rotini)
1 packet frozen mixed veggies
1 jar marinara sauce
1 can black beans (Optional – or replace with any leftover cooked protein you have lying around, chicken, sausage, whatevs…)
1 sprinkle parmesan cheese (Optional)

Instructions

Cook pasta.. ya know, boil the water and all that.
When pasta is about done, add at least 2 cups frozen veggies right into the boiling water and allow the water to come back up to the boil.
Once pasta and veggies have boiled together for about 2 minutes, remove from heat and drain.
Place pasta and veggies back into the original pot and pour marinara sauce over both.
Add optional extras: beans, leftover chicken or any other protein, and heat through.
Sprinkle with parmesan if using, and serve!