Omg I am obsessed with this Creamy zucchini pasta! It is a simple, kid-friendly dish that’s both nutritious and delicious. The natural creaminess comes from the slow-cooked zucchini, which breaks down into a silky sauce when simmered with garlic in olive oil and blended with a little parmesan and pasta water. You can serve it for a quick lunch or dinner, it takes about 15 minutes to make and prepare. It's perfect for busy parents who want to sneak more veggies into family meals. Made with a few wholesome ingredients like zucchini, olive oil, garlic, and parmesan cheese, this pasta is creamy, cheesy, and comforting. It is so light and easy to eat, amazing for spring time or year round. You can pair it with your favorite proteins, for example shrimp, fish or chicken breast.
.Quick to make
.Packed with hidden veggies
.Loved by kids and adults alike
.Great for leftovers and lunchboxes
.Zucchini is a nutrient-rich vegetable that’s great for kids:
.Vitamin C and Vitamin A help support immune health and vision
.Potassium supports muscle and heart function
.Dietary fiber aids digestion and promotes gut health
.Low in calories, high in water content
.Adding parmesan cheese brings in:
.Calcium for strong bones
.Protein for muscle growth
.Olive oil adds healthy fats that support brain development and help absorb important fat-soluble vitamins. Even the small amount of garlic offers immune-boosting benefits, all while enhancing flavor.
This creamy zucchini pasta is a wonderful kid-friendly pasta idea that can easily be adapted for different age groups:
8–12 Months (Babies on Solids): Cut up pasta really well so it is easier for baby to eat. Don't add any salt to the pasta.
12–18 Months (Toddlers): I still like to cut up the pasta at this age and you can pair it with fruit, garlic toast or some protein. Sprinkle a little more parmesan on top.
Zucchini- The zucchini is the star of the show in this recipe, I don't recommend replacing it with anything.
Garlic- Same for the garlic, it adds so much flavor to the dish.
Parmesan- The parmesan adds a savory, cheesy flavor that is needed. You can sub with dairy-free parmesan.
Pasta- Any pasta you prefer is fine in this recipe. Semolina, chickpea pasta, gluten-free pasta. I used brown rice pasta and it came out lovely!
If you enjoyed this recipe, here are some more kid-friendly pasta ideas you should check out:
Prep everything beforehand for smoother cooking process. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Cut zucchini and garlic.
Boil pasta for 8-12 min until soft and ready. In the meantime add olive oil to heated pan with garlic and salt and sauté for a minute.
Add zucchini, mix and cover for 10 minutes on medium heat.
When ready add the zucchini, garlic, olive oil to a small blender with parmesan cheese and reserved pasta water and blend until nice and creamy.
Pour sauce over cooked pasta, mix and enjoy!
Storage instructions: I haven't tried freezing this recipe, but you can store in a container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheating instructions: Can reheat stovetop or in the microwave.