Hidden Veggie Rainbow Pasta

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A vibrant one-pot pasta dish featuring hidden vegetables in a creamy tomato sauce that kids love without noticing the nutritious boost. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs whole wheat spaghetti, zucchini, carrot for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil; add 8 oz whole wheat spaghetti and cook for 8 minutes until al dente, then drain and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same pot, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat; add 1 cup grated zucchini and 1/2 cup grated carrot, and sauté for 4 minutes until softened and most liquid has evaporated, stirring occasionally.
  3. Step 3: Add 1/2 cup low-sodium tomato sauce, 1/4 cup chicken broth, 1/4 tsp dried basil, 1/4 tsp dried oregano, salt, and pepper; bring to a gentle simmer for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 1 cup finely chopped fresh spinach until wilted (about 1 minute), then add the drained spaghetti and toss to coat; sprinkle with 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese and toss until melted and creamy.
  5. Step 5: Serve immediately with a sprinkle of 1/4 cup grated mozzarella on top.

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