Mild Tomato & Hidden Veggie Fettuccine
Creamy tomato pasta sauce with pureed carrots and peas, making it a sneaky way to sneak vegetables into your child's favorite meal. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 30 minutes pairs fettuccine pasta, grated carrots, frozen peas for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 485 calories and feeds 2, 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.
Ingredients
- 8 oz fettuccine pasta
- 1/2 cup grated carrots
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
- 1/2 cup low-sodium tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp dried oregano
- pinch salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil, add 8 oz fettuccine pasta, and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente; drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: In a small saucepan over medium heat, heat 1 tbsp olive oil, then add 1/2 cup grated carrots and 1/2 cup frozen peas; cook for 5 minutes until peas are bright green and carrots are tender.
- Step 3: Stir in 1/2 cup tomato sauce, 1/4 cup milk, 1/4 tsp dried oregano, and a pinch of salt; simmer for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 4: Add the drained fettuccine to the saucepan along with 1/4 cup reserved pasta water, then toss vigorously for 1 minute until the pasta is evenly coated and the sauce clings to it; sprinkle with 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Mild Tomato & Hidden Veggie Fettuccine take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Mild Tomato & Hidden Veggie Fettuccine?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep fettuccine pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Mild Tomato & Hidden Veggie Fettuccine?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Mild Tomato & Hidden Veggie Fettuccine for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Mild Tomato & Hidden Veggie Fettuccine?
Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
The flavors in this mild are incredible.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★☆☆
Okay for a quick meal. I've had better pasta dishes though.
