Veggie Packed Pasta Sauce for Baby

Author: Foodie Kid     Prep Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 5 mins     Total Time: 10 minutes

Yield: 1 cup      Category: Lunch, Dinner  Texture: Chunky or finger food      

Method for Simple Starters: Steamed    

We often hear, "Pasta is the only food my toddler will eat! and is that okay?" With all the Paleo, Whole 30, and you name it diets abounding it's reasonable to wonder if you should still be feeding your child pasta, especially, since they would be happy to eat it at every meal. Our nutritionist weighed in saying, "It's common, normal and can be a great way to get in extra veggies for picky eaters! Also, whole wheat pasta is a good source of fiber and B vitamins, magnesium, and iron."

When serving pasta choose whole-wheat pasta because it has more fiber than traditional pasta. By adding only one packet of Simple Starters Sweet Potato Broccoli & Kale Veggie Blends to their favorite tomato sauce, your little one will be getting over 2 grams of fiber, 2 grams of protein, over 100% of their daily value of vitamin A for eye and skin health, 75% of their daily value of vitamin C for a healthy immune system and assistance with iron absorption and over 20% of their daily value of calcium which is good for bones. These all promote healthy, growing bodies.  And, as with every aspect of parenting, this too shall pass. Continue to keep exposing them to the foods you want them to eat because eventually, they'll accept.

Make this for lunch or dinner, and don’t forget, adults will like it too.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup uncooked whole wheat pasta 

• 1 Simple Starters Veggie Blends: sweet potato, broccoli, and kale

• ½ cup bottled tomato sauce (pick one without added sugar)

Instructions: 

Steam a 4 oz packet of the veggie blend for 3 minutes. 

Boil pasta for about 7min or until tender.

Heat tomato sauce. 

Depending on your child’s feeding skills, leave cooked veggies whole, use a fork to mash into a chunky texture, or blend for a smooth purée

Add veggie mix to tomato sauce and mix with pasta.

Top with grated parmesan *optional 

Bon Appetit Baby

Find Simple Starters at your neighborhood grocery store or online. 

*Nutritional Recommendations from Nicole Silber, RD, CLC; NYC Pediatric & Family Nutritionist