19 recipes with hidden veggies - Today's Parent (2024)

One of the easiest lunches you can pack, this alphabet pasta will fill them up good. It’s filled with zucchinis and peppers, but the kids won’t even taste it, or see it (thanks food processor!). Make it the night before and simply reheat for the Thermos. Get the recipe:Homemade Alphabet Pasta

Photo: Roberto Caruso

These little fritters are perfect for small hands. They can be made as small as you like and they pack a lot of nutrition (thanks to the mixed veggies) into an easy-to-eat parcel. Get the recipe:Bacon, Cheese and Veggie Fritters

Photo: Roberto Caruso

OK, so they might realize that they’re eating crispy, breadcrumb-crusted beans, but they won’t know what hit them when they take that little bean-y for a swipe through the sweet potato dip. It’s super creamy thanks to Greek yogurt. They’ll be into it. Get the recipe:Green Bean Oven Fries with Sweet Potato Dip

Photo: Roberto Caruso

This classic recipe comes with a surprising twist—grated veggies hidden away within the meatballs, which means even the pickiest of eaters will be asking for slurpy seconds. Get the recipe:Spaghetti and Meatballs with a Secret

Photo: Erik Putz

Pizza is a great way to disguise the enemy. This rolled up version makes it even easier. You can hide so many vegetables in those cheesy folds. Get the recipe:Stuffed Mini Deep-Dish Pizzas

Photo: Roberto Caruso

Spinach lives here. But your kids are so busy mowing the sausage-filled, doughy masterpiece you whippd up that they don’t care. Get the recipe:Sausage Roll-Ups

Photo: Vincent Noguchi

Tucked inside these little pancakes is corn. This savoury cake is a great vehicle for getting kids to try smoked salmon, too. Get the recipe:Cheddar Cornbread Pancakes

Photo: Roberto Caruso

Where does that orange cheese colour come from in a vegan dish? So glad you asked. That’s butternut squash, baby. Unlike some vegan recipes, this one is quick and doesn’t require a million ingredients. Get the recipe:Chickpea Mac and “Cheese”

Photo: Erik Putz

Leeks are hiding out in a dumpling wrapper with juicy shrimp. Those grubby hands are going in for seconds and probably thirds. Get the recipe:Leek and Shrimp Potstickers

Photo: Roberto Caruso

Lentils (which are vegetable seeds) are affordable, cook up fast and have a great hearty texture. Using half lentils and half ground meat for meatloaf and taco filling is a healthy choice for your budget (and for you!). Get the recipe:Lentil and Beef Mini Meat Loaves

Photo: Roberto Caruso

Take the classic comfort food for a new spin by swapping heavy potatoes with hearty cauliflower. Get the recipe:Shepherd’s Pie with Cauliflower Mash

Photo: Erik Putz

OK, so the eggplant isn’t exactly hidden, but it is masquerading as a noodle, and that’s a pretty cool trick. With all that cheese and tomato sauce, your kid won’t be fussed. Hot tip: grate zucchini into your next lasagna. Get the recipe: Eggplant Parmesan Rolls

Photo: Erik Putz

Forget the can, this homemade vegetable soup can be on your table in just 40 minutes (using ingredients you likely already have on hand). Greek yogurt makes it creamy. Throw some croutons on top for some crunch. Get the recipe: Easy Blended Vegetable Soup

Photo: Erik Putz

A savoury Japanese pancake, okonomiyaki is delicious for dinner, lunch or as a snack. P.S. There’s cabbage tucked inside the dough. Get the recipe:Japanese Okonomiyaki

Photo: Roberto Caruso

Here are some sneaky meatballs, again. These little turkeys have grated zucchini lurking within. There’s a creamy dip for dunking or swaddle them in a lettuce wrap.Get the recipe:Turkey and Zucchini Meatballs

Photo: Maya Visnyei

That’s broccoli keeping it low-key in a flaky biscuit. With salty ham by its side, these morsels can do no wrong. Get the recipe:Broccoli and Ham Biscuits

Photo: Maya Visnyei

We’ve got three, secretly veggie-packed, bite-sized frittata recipes. They’re perfect in the lunchbox and for dunking in ketchup (they love it, why deny them that sugary, tomato sludge?). Get the recipes:Cauliflower Frittata,Red Pepper and Cheddar Frittata,Zucchini and Feta Frittata

Photo: Erik Putz

Those noodle-looking swirls of orange and green? Oh, that’s just zucchini and carrot. If there are allergies in your family, swap the peanut butter for soy nut, almond or sesame seed butter.Get the recipe: Asian Noodles with Peanut Sauce

Photo: Maya Visnyei

While chickpeas aren’t technically a veggie, these burgers are packed with mushrooms, onion and garlic. To make this a truly vegetarian recipe, make sure to buy anchovy-freeWorcestershire sauce. Get the recipe: Chickpea Bugers

Photo: Maya Visnyei

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