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Healthy Thermos Pasta with Hidden Veggie Marinara

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A kid-friendly pasta recipe with a smooth marinara sauce blended with hidden vegetables, perfect for warm packed lunches in a thermos.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225 grams) small pasta shapes like elbow macaroni, shells, or mini penne
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium carrot, peeled and chopped
  • 1 small zucchini, chopped
  • 1 cup packed fresh spinach
  • 1 can (14 ounces / 400 grams) canned crushed tomatoes, preferably no salt added
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or mix of dried basil, oregano, thyme)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) water or low-sodium vegetable broth
  • Grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for topping or stirring in)

Instructions

  1. Bring 4 quarts (3.8 liters) of water to a boil in a medium pot. Add a pinch of salt and the pasta. Cook according to package instructions until just al dente (usually about 7-9 minutes). Drain and toss with a little olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until soft and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Add chopped carrots and zucchini to the skillet. Stir and cook for 5-7 minutes until veggies soften but aren’t mushy. Add fresh spinach last and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes.
  4. Pour in the canned crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and 1/2 cup (120 ml) water or vegetable broth. Stir in 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste.
  5. Lower the heat and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce should thicken slightly and the flavors meld. If the sauce gets too thick, add a splash of water to loosen it.
  6. Transfer the sauce and cooked veggies to a blender or use an immersion blender to puree until smooth and creamy. Blend in batches if necessary and vent the lid slightly.
  7. Return the smooth sauce to the skillet and heat through gently. Toss the cooked pasta in the sauce, coating every piece evenly. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
  8. Preheat your thermos by filling it with boiling water for 5 minutes, then empty. Quickly fill it with the warm pasta and sauce mixture, sealing tightly.
  9. If desired, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese before sealing or pack separately for topping at lunchtime.

Notes

Preheat the thermos with boiling water before filling to keep pasta warm longer. Slightly undercook pasta to avoid mushiness in the thermos. Puree the sauce to hide veggies and create a smooth texture. Sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 3 days. Use gluten-free pasta or vegan cheese substitutes as needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: healthy pasta, kids lunch, thermos pasta, hidden veggies, marinara sauce, easy pasta recipe, kid-friendly lunch, blended vegetable sauce

Find it online: https://fuzzyforker.com/healthy-thermos-pasta-with-hidden-veggie-marinara-easy-recipe-for-kids-lunches/