Rainbow Pasta Playtime
A vibrant, kid-approved pasta dish with natural color layers that makes mealtime feel like a joyful game. The colorful layers dissolve into a creamy, herb-infused sauce. This kid friendly-inspired pasta ready in about 40 minutes pairs dried spaghetti, fresh spinach, medium, peeled beetroot for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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.
Ingredients
- 8 oz dried spaghetti
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 medium, peeled beetroot
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/2 cup, chopped fresh basil
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring 4 quarts of salted water to a rolling boil in a large pot. Add 8 oz dried spaghetti and cook for 8 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: While pasta cooks, blend 2 cups fresh spinach with 1 cup vegetable broth until smooth, then strain through a fine-mesh sieve. Repeat with 1 medium peeled beetroot and 1 tsp turmeric for vibrant red and yellow purees.
- Step 3: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 4: Stir in 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil, 1/4 cup nutritional yeast, and 1/2 tsp salt. Add the reserved pasta water and the three colored purees, then simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 5: Toss the drained spaghetti into the skillet with the sauce, adding more pasta water if needed to reach a creamy consistency, and cook for 2 more minutes until fully incorporated.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Rainbow Pasta Playtime take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (25 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 Rainbow Pasta Playtime?
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 dried spaghetti from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Rainbow Pasta Playtime?
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 Rainbow Pasta Playtime for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Rainbow Pasta Playtime?
Kid Friendly 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
- ★★★★★
Quick to prep and the results are amazing. A real keeper.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
