My Favorite Veggie Hiding Recipes

While my own kids are pretty happy to eat veggies, I know that many children don’t eat them so happily.

There are a few recipes I make for events in an attempt to contribute something other than sugar, which has resulted in these recipes being stolen. It’s my favorite form of flattery.

Let’s face it, no matter how much organic stuff you shove into your baby’s mouth, toddlers and older consider meals power plays. And, let’s be honest here, sometimes vegetables can be gross.

So if your family wants to eat more veggies, but you’re having a difficult time figuring out how to incorporate them into your meals, try these super easy veggie hiding recipes. 

Caprese Pasta Salad

It sounds fancy but if they like noodles and pizza, they’ll eat this.

Ingredients:

• Veggie Rotini pasta
• Pesto
• Minced Garlic
• Italian herbs
• Grape tomatoes
• String Cheese 
• 1 package frozen chopped spinach
• Favorite Italian dressing or vinaigrette 

1. Boil water with a touch of salt, Italian herbs, pepper, olive oil, and minced garlic. 
2. Add pasta and half the spinach to boiling water and let cook for nine minutes.
3. Cut 6-10 grape tomatoes in two.
4. Strain pasta (you’ll lose some spinach; it will be okay).
5. Add pesto, dressing or vinaigrette, and tomatoes. Stir well. You can add more garlic and herbs if you like. 
6. Chill for 1 hour to 1 day.
7. Before serving, slice three mozzarella cheese sticks into little circles and mix into pasta salad.

The pesto and noodles hide two veggie servings per bowl, plus tomatoes. 

*If this is too much prep, try veggie mac and cheese from a store served with tomato soup – also two hidden veggies.

Chicken Broccoli Cheese Rice Bowl

This is comfort food in one step, one-pot, and served in one bowl. 

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb. precooked chicken breast
• 1 lb. broccoli florets 
• 1-2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 tablespoon of lemon pepper and garlic salt OR ranch seasoning
• White rice as needed
• Cauliflower rice equal amount

1. Combine all ingredients (except cheese) with seasonings and water in a pot. (The amount of water you use will equal the amount of rice) 
2. Bring to a boil.
3. Turn heat down, cover, and cook for 13 minutes. 
4. Uncover, turn off the heat, and stir excessively until broccoli is mixed in well.
5. Add in 1-2 cups cheese or choice of replacement. 

Finger Foods Fun Night

They think they’re getting hot wings, fries, and potato skins…

• Bake up your favorite brand (or homemade) sweet potato fries or zucchini fries. Add Italian bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese to the zucchini fries and/or brown sugar and butter to the sweet potato fries. An easy way to spice things up! 
• Cauliflower bites shaken in buffalo seasoning and roasted in the oven served with your favorite dip are like healthy hot wings. Don’t knock it until you try it. 
• Potato skins are fine as is! 

Bonus: Dessert 

For all you dessert lovers out there, here’s my favorite healthy chocolate cookie recipe.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup raw, rolled oats
• 1 peeled & mashed banana or avocado or zucchini in place of butter and eggs
• Cocoa powder, dark 1/4 cup 
• 1/2 cup peanut butter or replacement
• 1/3 cup milk or cream

*you may add 1/3 cup flour or white sugar if you want, also 1 tbsp butter

1. Mix well on low heat
2. Place on a foil sheet and chill for an hour
3. Enjoy!

What are your favorite veggie hiding recipes?