One-Pot Colorful Veggie Pasta for Kids

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 fun and vibrant one-pot pasta dish packed with colorful vegetables and mild tomato sauce, perfect for young palates. This Italian-inspired kid-friendly recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 30 minutes, pairs olive oil, minced garlic, diced red bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 2 cloves minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  2. Step 2: Add 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper, 1/2 cup diced yellow bell pepper, 1/2 cup diced zucchini, and 1/2 cup diced carrot to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 4-5 minutes until the vegetables soften but remain colorful.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1 cup tomato sauce, 3 cups vegetable broth, and 1 tsp salt with 1/4 tsp black pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
  4. Step 4: Add 8 oz penne pasta to the boiling mixture. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 12-14 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
  5. Step 5: Remove the pot from heat. Stir in 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese and 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil leaves until the cheese melts and the sauce coats the pasta evenly. Serve warm.

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