Rainbow Pasta Bake: A Family Favourite Packed with Hidden Veg

If you’ve got a fridge full of odds and ends, this is your new go-to dinner. My Rainbow Pasta Bake is not only colourful and fun for little ones, but it’s also packed with finely diced veggies, tender chicken, and a creamy tomato sauce that even picky eaters won’t resist. Best part? You can easily switch up the veggies depending on what you’ve got on hand — perfect for using up fridge leftovers!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups tri-colour pasta (spirals or penne work great)

• 500g chicken thigh or breast, diced

• 1–2 cups finely diced mixed vegetables (think: zucchini, capsicum, carrot, broccoli stems, mushrooms, corn — whatever’s in the fridge!)

• 1 small onion, finely diced

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp paprika

• 1 jar (about 700ml) passata

• 2 tbsp tomato paste

• 1/3 cup cream (or milk for a lighter option)

• 1 cup grated cheese (cheddar or mozzarella work great)

• Olive oil for cooking

• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook the pasta:
   Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook your tri-colour pasta until just al dente. Drain and set aside.

2. Sauté the chicken and veggies:
   In a large pan, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until softened.
   Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through.
   Toss in your finely diced mixed veggies and sauté for another 5 minutes until softened.

3. Season and sauce:
   Stir in garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
   Add tomato paste and stir for 1–2 minutes to deepen the flavour.
   Pour in the passata and bring to a simmer for 5 minutes.
   Stir in the cream to make the sauce creamy and rich.

4. Combine everything:
   Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and gently stir to combine everything evenly.

5. Bake:
   Transfer the mixture to a baking dish. Top with grated cheese.
   Bake at 180°C (350°F) for about 15–20 minutes, or until bubbly and golden on top.

6. Serve:
   Let cool slightly before serving. Plate up a colourful bowl and watch the kids dig in!

Why we love it:

• ✔ Perfect for picky eaters (hidden veg!)

• ✔ Easy to adapt with whatever you have on hand

• ✔ Family-friendly and freezer-friendly

• ✔ Balanced meal with protein, veggies, and carbs

• ✔ Fun colours that encourage little ones to try