Healthy Spaghetti-O’s with Carrot
on Jun 02, 2023, Updated Apr 24, 2025
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Spaghetti-O’s were a childhood favorite of mine, and I wanted to recreate a healthier version for my own kids. This recipe is a simple, veggie-packed twist on the classic, and it’s become a staple in our household.
What I love about this dish is how easy it is to make. With just a few ingredients—pasta, tomato sauce, milk, butter, Parmesan, and carrot puree—you can whip up a nutritious meal in minutes. The carrot adds a subtle sweetness and a boost of vitamins, and the best part is, the kids don’t even notice it’s there!
It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you need something quick and satisfying. Plus, it freezes well, so you can make a big batch and have ready-to-go meals on hand.
Why These Spaghetti-O’s are Perfect for Kids
Quick & Easy – Ready in about 15 minutes, making it perfect for busy evenings.
Veggie-Packed – The carrot puree adds nutrients without altering the great taste.
Kid-Friendly – The familiar shape and flavor make it a hit with little ones.
Freezer-Friendly – Store leftovers in muffin tins for easy, portioned meals later.
Customizable – Feel free to add other pureed veggies or adjust seasonings to your family’s taste.
What You Will Need to Make These Healthy Spaghetti-O’s
- 2 cups O-shaped noodles- I got mine here!
- 1/2 cup Carrot puree- I buy either the steam-in-the-microwave carrots, or just buy carrot baby food at the store to make it quicker!
- 2 tbsp Milk
- 15 oz Tomato sauce
- 1/2 tsp Onion powder
- 1 tbsp Butter- unsalted
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
1. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
2. Steam carrots until soft, then puree in a blender. Alternatively, use store-bought carrot baby food for convenience.
3. In a saucepan, combine tomato sauce, milk, onion powder, butter, Parmesan cheese, and carrot puree. Heat over medium heat until the butter and cheese are melted and the sauce is smooth.
4. Drain the cooked pasta and mix it into the sauce. Stir until well combined.
5. Serve warm and enjoy!
Substitutions
- O-shaped noodles- you can use any tiny noodle
- Milk- use any-non dairy milk to substitute
- Parmesan cheese- use nutritional yeast instead
Storage
Store in the fridge for 4 days, or in the freezer for 3 months! Tip: pour extras into a muffin tin and freeze. Then you have personal serving sizes for easy meals in the future!
Healthy Spaghetti-O’s with Carrot
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cup O-shaped noodles, (or other small noodle)
- 15 oz tomato sauce, (low sodium)
- 2 tbsp milk
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup carrot puree
Instructions
- Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package.
- Steam carrots. Once soft, puree them in a blender. (You could also buy carrot baby food at the store)
- Add tomato sauce, milk, onion powder, butter, parmesan cheese, and carrot puree to a saucepan. Heat on medium heat until the butter and the cheese are melted.
- Mix the noodles with the sauce and enjoy!
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
It’s literally unreal how good these are! I followed the recipe then added 1/2 more onion powder and some garlic salt, maybe 1/2 tsp. I changed nothing else and this was absolutely so good. Doesn’t even come close to spaghetti-os because they are 1000x better. My expectations were pretty low given how few ingredients this was but wow! Will definitely make this again and again
Yay I’m so glad you liked it!!