How I Get My Kids To Eat Carrots + My New Favorite Meal Prep Resource

Delicious and healthy carrot spaghetti recipe — Delicious, easy to make, carrot spaghetti. It’s healthy, loaded with vegetables, and the kiddos love it, too!

It’s no secret that I’m not what one would call a “Master Chef.”

Decent cook? Sure. Buuut, I have to admit, it doesn’t necessarily come easily for me. I tend to lean into very basic ingredients, which in many ways is a good thing, but doesn’t always lead to deliciousness. Know what I mean? Spices, sauces, combining things to create a meal that’s interesting and drool-worthy. Not exactly my forte. So, when I find something that is made from simple ingredients, tastes delicious, and is super easy to make, I become like a stage 5 clinger to it. Insert: my carrot spaghetti that, when I make it, my family absolutely loves.

One thing is certain regarding my relationship with cooking: I’m trying! Especially since my shift from corporate to entrepreneurial life, I’ve started to take on a lot more of the domestic responsibilities that Doug used to head up. (PS – If you want a good read, check out “How Our Family Approaches Parenting and Gender Roles”) In fact, over the past year I’ve nailed a few recipes that, dare I say, I’m actually really proud of. I make them and they’re a hit every time.

As mentioned above, one of those recipes is my tried and true Carrot Spaghetti! It’s seriously so good, and better yet, it’s packed with nutritious ingredients that I feel great about my family eating.

Below is my loose version of the recipe! (I say “loose” because, honestly, I’m not a huge recipe follower. Every time I make this I’ll add in different veggies or change it up based off what I have in the fridge. But the foundation of carrots, sauce and veggies is always the same!)

Psst – Be sure to scroll all the way down to the bottom of this post, because I’m sharing THE MOST AMAZING resource for cooking.

Delicious, Healthy + Easy-To-Prep Carrot Spaghetti Recipe

NOTE: All of the below ingredients were purchased at Trader Joe’s!

Ingredients

(1) Package of frozen Trader Joe’s Carrot Spirals. (*Use one package if you’ll be serving the carrots and sauce over pasta. Use two packages if you want to skip on the pasta and make this a fully vegetable-based meal)
(4) cups of fresh cherry tomatoes, chopped
(2) cups of chopped sweet onion
(1) Package of frozen Vegetable Medley (Carrots, Peas, Green Beans, Corn)
(1) Can of Vodka Sauce
(1) Package of organic, free range chicken, sautéed over olive oil then chopped. Also love organic ground beef subbed for the chicken! Makes it taste hearty.
(1) Package of Trader Joe’s Organic Brown Rice & Quinoa Pasta. (Have also used the Fusilli Pasta which is delicious, too!)
Grated Parmesan Cheese to taste
Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions

Over olive oil, sauté the cherry tomatoes, onions, and vegetable medley on medium heat.
In a large pan (this will hold all of your sauce!), sauté the carrot spirals until they’re soft and ready to combine with the rest of the veggies. Once the cherry tomatoes, onions and vegetable medley are lightly cooked, combine with carrot spirals.
Pan fry the chicken or beef in a separate pan. When fully cooked, combine with the carrot spirals and other veggies.
Once all veggies and meat for the sauce are combined, pour in the Vodka Sauce. Let entire sauce mixture sauté for a few minutes, stirring lightly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Prepare pasta, if desired. Serve this dish with pasta on the bottom and the sauce poured over. Or, you can serve this as a pasta-free dish, using the carrot spirals as a pasta replacement!
Grate Parmesan Cheese and sprinkle over the dish. Serve and enjoy!

See?! Super easy! And so, so delicious.

Delicious and healthy Trader Joe's recipes

My New Favorite Meal Prep Resource

Alright, now that I’ve shared one of my favorite recipes to make, I’ve got to tell you about the most amazing resource that was just released by my friend Jess. She wrote an e-book called “Teach Me How To TJ’s” and it’s truly incredible!

I love this e-book for so many reasons. First, her mentality towards cooking is very similar to mine in that she leans into her cooking instinct vs measurement, and she believes that you don’t need to follow step-by-step recipes to put together great meals. The book is all about delicious combinations and customizations — basically, meal ideas that leave room for your own creativity.

I love me some Trader Joe’s, and I love me some fresh meal ideas, so this e-book was the perfect addition to my cookbook collection! You must, must, must go download it! Swing by this post to get your copy. And, huge congrats to Jess!