One-Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta with Hidden Veggies

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 smooth, creamy tomato basil pasta cooked all in one pot with finely pureed carrots and zucchini for a nutrient boost that picky eaters won’t notice. This Italian-inspired kid-friendly recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs penne pasta, carrot, zucchini for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat. Add 3 cloves minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 1 medium peeled and grated carrot and 1 small grated zucchini; cook for 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until softened.
  3. Step 3: Pour in 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes, 3 cups vegetable broth, and 12 oz dry penne pasta. Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, then bring to a boil.
  4. Step 4: Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 12-15 minutes until pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves, and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until creamy and well combined. Cook for 2 more minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the pasta.
  6. Step 6: Serve immediately, garnished with extra basil if desired.

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