Sneaky "Cheesy" Noodles

by Kim H.
(WV)

Will need -
Penne or any other shaped noodle, cooked to al dente or as desired
1/4-1/2 Cup milk (splash or to make as creamy as you like)
1/4 Cup (or less) grated Parmesan cheese
1 Cup cauliflower puree (or squash)
1 or 2 tabs of butter
salt & pepper to taste


My son LOVES noodles....and cheese. By calling these noodles "cheesy", he is more likely to eat them.

I like to use penne noodles or another fun shaped pasta so he can pick up with his fingers or stab easily with a fork. Plus, it's a noodle we don't use too often, so it's 'special' for him.


Melt together the puree, butter, milk, & parmesean cheese. The parmesean cheese is just to help hide the flavor and give it some actual cheese consistency. But you can leave this out if you like. Add the cooked pasta and stir together. Season to taste if needed.

The cauliflower puree give the noodles the taste of mashed potatoes. My husband says it tastes like noodles mixed with mashed potatoes. The squash works well. Just make sure to use light yellow squash...not acorn. You may need more parmesean cheese or seasoning to mask the flavor. I've used both and have used more and less cheese and milk. My son hasn't said anything and I "allow" him to use his fingers as long as he eats it. He likes the larger penne pieces. And I sit back and watch knowing he's eating cauliflower which has NEVER made it past his lips in its normal form. :-)