My little man just turned 10 months and he is quickly going from a teeny baby to a big boy with a big appetite. The poor guy still doesn’t have any teeth and rejects things that are too difficult for him to mash with his gums (smart guy!). All of his buddies are progressing to bigger and more exciting textures and I know he getting bored with his purees.
In effort to make his food a little more exciting (but still soft enough for him to be able to swallow whole), I started mixing his purees with his new favorite food-pasta!! It’s so simple! Since I have all of these veggie and fruit purees stashed in my freezer, I figured they would make perfect “sauces” for his Pastina. Topped with a little cheese, you have some delicious fresh veggie sauces and a way to get some extra vitamins into your little one.
Despite looking vibrant and beautiful, these tasted fantastic and Griffin became an instant fan. This idea is so yummy, your whole family will be able to enjoy it (add some herbs and maybe garlic and salt and pepper for more mature eaters). These veggies “sauces” are a great way to get those picky eaters to eat their veggies without having to hide them in something. Bright and colorful pasta sauces equals lotsa fun! Go ahead, call the Pea Sauce Pastina, Pasta with Slime and watch how eager your little one is to gobble it all up.
This healthy dish is perfect for older babies who still need soft food.
Pastina with Veggie Puree (Serves 1 )
- 1/4-1/3 cup cooked Pastina pasta
- 2-3 tbsps fresh/frozen veggie puree (Griffin loves carrot and pea)
- 1 tsp grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
- **1 tbsp Ricotta cheese (optional)- Griffin loves Ricotta mixed into his veggie pasta. It adds a nice creaminess to the sauce.
- In a small bowl mix the cooked Pastina with the puree and stir until well combined.
- Add a little water if consistence needs adjustment.
- Top with grated cheese and serve.
** I know for many parents jar food is the way to go for you and your family. This method will work just fine with jar food but I warn you, the nutritional value of the fresh purees is far superior and the colors and flavors will not be nearly as vibrant. My friends always marvel at how bright and vibrant my sons green peas are.
