Kids’ Favorite Colorful Penne Pasta
Penne Pasta Recipe for Kids
Tailored to your children’s taste buds! Make a nutritious and delightful penne pasta at home, packed with their favorite vegetables and chicken breast. The chewy penne and creamy cheese will surely make mealtime enjoyable for the whole family.
Main Ingredients
- 2/3 Carrot
- 1/2 Onion
- 1/3 Leek
- 100g Chicken breast
- 2 Tomatoes
- 250g Penne pasta
- 4 slices Mozzarella cheese (grilling cheese type)
Seasoning & Others
- 16 Tbsp ready-made tomato sauce
- 2 Tbsp grapeseed oil
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- Pinch of black pepper (about 4 shakes)
- Pinch of dried basil (about 4 shakes)
- Olive oil, a drizzle
- Ready-made tonkatsu sauce, a drizzle
- 16 Tbsp ready-made tomato sauce
- 2 Tbsp grapeseed oil
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- Pinch of black pepper (about 4 shakes)
- Pinch of dried basil (about 4 shakes)
- Olive oil, a drizzle
- Ready-made tonkatsu sauce, a drizzle
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash all the ingredients thoroughly and prepare them. Finely mince the carrot, onion, and leek. Dice the chicken breast and tomatoes into small, bite-sized pieces that are easy for children to eat. For the penne pasta, cook according to the package instructions, referring to the recommended cooking time.
Step 2
Heat 2 tablespoons of grapeseed oil in a deep pan or wok. Add the minced carrot, onion, and leek. Sauté over medium-low heat, stirring constantly to prevent burning, until fragrant. It’s important to sauté the vegetables thoroughly to bring out their natural sweetness.
Step 3
Fill a pot with plenty of water and bring it to a boil. Add the penne pasta. To prevent sticking, stir occasionally as it cooks. Usually, 7 minutes of boiling is ideal, but you can adjust the time based on your preferred texture. Once cooked, drain the pasta in a colander.
Step 4
Add the diced chicken breast and tomatoes to the pan where you sautéed the vegetables. Stir-fry them together until the chicken breast is fully cooked and the tomatoes are slightly softened. This helps all the ingredients meld together beautifully.
Step 5
Drain any excess liquid from the pan. Add the cooked penne pasta to the pan with the vegetables and chicken. Gently toss to combine the pasta with the other ingredients.
Step 6
Now it’s time to add flavor. Pour in 16 tablespoons of ready-made tomato sauce. Stir well to ensure the pasta and sauce are evenly coated.
Step 7
To enhance the umami flavor, add 2 tablespoons of soy sauce. Season with black pepper and dried basil to your preference. About 4 shakes of each will provide a nice aroma. Stir again to distribute all the seasonings evenly.
Step 8
Just before turning off the heat, drizzle in a little olive oil to add gloss and enhance the flavor. Stirring it in will make the overall taste of the pasta smoother.
Step 9
Place the 4 slices of grilling mozzarella cheese in a separate pan over medium heat. Cook until the cheese begins to melt, preparing it to top the pasta.
Step 10
Reduce the heat to very low. Carefully place the prepared pasta on top of the melting cheese. Gently press down on the top with a spatula to help the cheese spread and envelop the pasta. Cook briefly, turning occasionally, until golden brown and the cheese is gooey. Be careful not to burn the cheese.
Step 11
Finally, drizzle with ready-made tonkatsu sauce according to your taste. Your delicious penne pasta, a favorite among children, is now complete! Its wonderful appearance and taste are sure to captivate your kids. Enjoy your meal!
