Sneaky
"Cheesy" Noodles
By Kim
H. (WV)
A
creamy pasta dish with a hidden veggie twist! These
“cheesy” noodles are made with cauliflower or squash
puree blended with butter, milk, and Parmesan. Kids
think they’re eating mac and cheese — but they’re
secretly enjoying vegetables too.
- Category:
Main Dish
- Hidden Veggie
- Kid-Friendly
Prep: 10 minutes | Cook:
10 minutes | Yield: 4
servings
Ingredients
- 3–4 cups penne or
shaped pasta, cooked al dente
- 1/4–1/2 cup milk (to
desired creaminess)
- 1/4 cup grated
Parmesan cheese (optional)
- 1 cup cauliflower
puree or light yellow squash puree
- 1–2 tablespoons
butter
- Salt and pepper to
taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta
according to package directions. Drain and set
aside.
- In a saucepan
over low heat, combine cauliflower puree,
butter, milk, and Parmesan cheese.
- Stir until
smooth and creamy.
- Add cooked
pasta and stir to coat evenly.
- Season with
salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve warm.
Kid-Friendly Tips
- Use fun pasta shapes to make it feel
“special.”
- Let kids sprinkle Parmesan on top.
- Allow finger-eating for younger kids to make
it more inviting.
Vegetable Swap Ideas
- Use steamed cauliflower blended until smooth.
- Try yellow squash for a milder flavor.
- Add a small amount of shredded cheddar for
extra cheesiness.
Notes
Cauliflower puree gives a
mashed-potato-like texture and blends beautifully
into pasta. Be sure the puree is very smooth to
avoid noticeable vegetable pieces.