Mainely Dish Recipe Video: Cheesy Pasta with Summer Veggies
— By Alex Gayton, Nutrition Education Professional, University of Maine Cooperative Extension
This recipe is a great way to use fresh vegetables you may have from your garden or local farmers’ market. It does require a little bit of prep work to cut up the vegetables but it’s worth it, because, who doesn’t enjoy pasta and cheese?
If you want to make sure this includes all the MyPlate food groups, you can add cooked beans, meat, or fish for a protein source and a serving of fruit on the side. I recommend using whole wheat pasta or bean pasta for added fiber, but white pasta or gluten-free pasta will work too.
This is a great recipe to involve kids when making it. You have the chance to make this your own when it comes to the vegetables you choose. Have your kids help choose which vegetables they would like to add so they feel included and may be more likely to eat the meal.
Visit our recipe website for the Cheesy Pasta with Summer Veggies recipe and recipe video.
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This post was originally published based on the 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the MyPlate model. While the foundational information here remains valuable, you can find the most current recommendations at DietaryGuidelines.gov.
Last Updated: February 2026