Creamy Pasta with Hidden Vegetables
A clever one-pot pasta dish where vegetables are blended into a silky cream sauce, making them invisible to picky eaters while adding nutrition and flavor. Ready in just 25 minutes with minimal cleanup.
Time Breakdown
Ingredients (6 servings)
- 12 ouncespenne pasta
- 2 cupscauliflower floretsfresh or frozen
- 1 mediumyellow squashdiced
- 2 mediumcarrotsdiced
- 1/2 mediumyellow oniondiced
- 3 clovesgarlic clovesminced
- 2 cupsvegetable broth
- 1 cupheavy cream
- 1/2 cupgrated Parmesan cheeseplus extra for serving
- 2 tablespoonsolive oil
- 1 teaspoonItalian seasoning
- 1 teaspoonsalt
- 1/4 teaspoonblack pepper
- 1/4 cupfresh basilchopped, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and yellow squash. Cook for 5 minutes until softened.
5min - 2
Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add cauliflower florets and cook for 2 minutes.
3min - 3
Pour in vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Add pasta, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
3min - 4
Cook according to pasta package directions (usually 10-12 minutes), stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.
11min - 5
Using an immersion blender, carefully blend about half the vegetables in the pot to create a chunky, creamy sauce. Alternatively, remove 1 cup of vegetables, blend in a regular blender, and return to pot.
2min - 6
Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Cook for 2 minutes until cheese melts and sauce thickens. Taste and adjust seasoning.
2min - 7
Remove from heat and garnish with fresh basil and extra Parmesan before serving.
2min
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