When you have a picky eater in the house, it can be tough to come up with fresh and exciting meal ideas. However, when it comes to satisfying both flavour and nutrition in your child’s diet, pasta may be the greatest option. Easy, classic pasta recipes with vegetables are an excellent way to include nutrition into your child’s favourite meal. It may be carried in a lunch box or offered as an after-school snack while your child is watching his or her favourite TV show or the T20, IPL live.
Pasta is one of the most popular foods among children because of its smoothness, variety of forms, and ability to be prepared in a variety of ways while retaining the majority of its original flavour. It is made from whole grains and has its own set of health benefits. Some parents, though, maybe concerned about adding carbohydrates to their child’s diet too soon. While there is no need to be concerned because newborns require carbohydrates for growth and development, parents should be aware that when served in moderation and in combination with other nutritious meals, pasta recipes with vegetables may be a nutritious meal option for their children. ( 10 easy dinner recipes in India for kids of all ages)
This article will explain the benefits of pasta and provide a few nutritious pasta recipes with vegetables for kids.
When and how to introduce pasta to babies?
Pasta is best offered during the solid food phase, which begins when your baby has hit the age of 6 months and has been introduced to purees (Baby’s first foods). When making pasta for newborns, keep in mind that it should be thoroughly cooked so that it may be mashed if necessary. You can be creative and make meals exciting for the infant by using different types of pasta, such as stars, bows, or elbow-shaped pasta. (5 recipes for easy digestion in kids)
It is also a typical dish served during baby-led weaning. If you have not already introduced egg or wheat into your baby’s diet, be cautious while introducing pasta because it frequently contains both of these major food allergies.
What are some ways to make pasta healthier?
Here are a few suggestions for making pasta dishes healthier: (Healthy snacks in the evening – Roasted Makhana)
- You may choose pasta produced from legume flour (black bean pasta, chickpea pasta, lentil pasta) which is often higher in nutrients than pasta prepared from rice or wheat flour.
- Enriched pasta will also provide additional nutrients such as iron and B vitamins.
- Moreover, you may make your child’s favourite food healthy by including extra vegetables in hidden forms, such as vegetable sauce.
Precautions to keep in mind while introducing pasta to children
Getting to know your pasta is essential, especially if it is not a common meal in your region. Here are some things to keep in mind while giving pasta for your child –
- Pasta should be consumed in moderation and as part of a well-balanced diet.
- Before you buy pasta, be sure you know what the base component is. Make sure the pasta you choose is not processed, or prepared with all-purpose flour or maida. Pasta for newborns should be made from whole wheat, durum wheat, or rice flour.
- Make sure there are no additives or artificial flavours in your baby’s food since they might harm his or her health.
- When serving pasta as finger food, keep an eye out for choking hazards. Give them tiny pasta or chop regular pasta into smaller pieces.
- If your baby does not appear to enjoy the texture of pasta, you can stop feeding it for a few days and reintroduce later.
Healthy pasta recipes with vegetables:
As already said, pasta must be cooked in a specific manner in order for the babies to digest it easily. However, these pasta recipes with vegetables, like many pasta dishes with a base sauce, include a hidden vegetable sauce, which is an excellent way to improve a child’s vegetable consumption.
1. Carrot and broccoli pasta
Pasta with carrot and broccoli sauce is a creamy, gently sweet, and flavorful dish that is ideal for children. Broccoli is high in vitamin K and calcium, both of which are essential for keeping strong, healthy bones. It also includes phosphorus, zinc, vitamins A and C. Carrots are a great source of vitamin A and help in eye health and digestion. (7 health benefits of carrot for kids)
Ingredients
- Pasta – 1 cup
- Carrot puree – ½ cup
- Broccoli puree – ½ cup
- Onion – 1
- Chopped garlic – 3-4 cloves
- Pepper/Oregano – 1 tsp
- Iyurved’s daily nutrition savoury spread (order here) – 2 tbsp
- Water – 2 cups
- Oil – 1 tbsp
- Other veggies (optional) – ½ cup
- Schezwan sauce – 1 tbsp
- Salt to taste
Preparation
- Heat oil in a pan and saute the garlic, onion.
- Add carrot, broccoli puree andIyurved’s daily nutrition savoury spread (order here) and cook for 5- 8 minutes.
- Add other veggies (optional ) and cook for another 5 minutes.
- When the sauce becomes thick, add salt, pepper or oregano, schezwan sauce and pasta.
- Finally, add water, cover the pan and cook on low flame.
- Once the pasta is cooked, turn off the flame and serve!!
You may add 1 tbsp of Iyurved’s daily nutrition savoury spread to the pasta while it is being cooked or to the cooked pasta when serving your child.
1 cup – 209 calories
Additional nutrition benefits
( 1 tbsp of Iyurved’s daily nutrition savoury spread gives 126 calories with 5.36g of protein).
2. Carrot beetroot pasta
It is one of the pasta recipes with vegetables like beetroot and carrot that are complete, nutrient-dense superfoods, also rich in vitamins and fibre. Also, aids in relieving constipation by boosting the metabolic system. Along with the phytonutrients, beets are high in iron, while carrots are fibre-rich and keeps the gut healthy. (7 Proven health benefits of beetroot for kids and adults)
Ingredients
- Pasta – 1 cup
- Beetroot puree – ½ cup
- Carrot puree – ½ cup
- Onion – 1
- Chopped garlic – 3-4 cloves
- Pepper/ Oregano – 1 tsp
- Iyurved’s daily nutrition savoury spread (order here) – 2 tbsp
- Water – 2 cups
- Oil – 1 tbsp
- Tomato pasta sauce – 1 tbsp
- Salt to taste
Preparation
- Heat oil in a pan and saute the garlic, onion.
- Add carrot, beetroot puree and Iyurved’s daily nutrition savoury spread (order here) and cook for 5- 8 minutes.
- Add salt, pepper or oregano, tomato pasta sauce and pasta.
- Then add water, cover the pan and cook on low flame.
- Once the pasta is soft and cooked, turn off the flame
- Serve!!
You may add 1 tbsp of Iyurved’s daily nutrition savoury spread to the pasta while it is being cooked or to the cooked pasta when serving your child.
1 cup – 240 calories
Additional nutrition benefits
( 1 tbsp of Iyurved’s daily nutrition savoury spread gives 126 calories with 5.36g of protein).
3. Papad pasta
Traditionally, papad has been served as a side dish with our meals. You could also try transforming ordinary papad into a fast pasta meal for a creative and delectable variation. So the next time you are wanting a bowl of delicious pasta but don’t have any, grab a package of papad and follow this recipe to make quick and easy pasta recipes with vegetables for your kids. (12 ideas for healthy snacks that kids can make with you)
Ingredients
- Papad – 5
- Chopped tomato, onion, medium-sized capsicum – 1
- Chopped garlic – 3-4 cloves
- Grated ginger – 1 tsp
- Schezwan sauce – 1 tbsp
- Iyurved’s daily nutrition savoury spread (order here)- 2 tbsp
- Water – 2 cups
- Oil – 1 tbsp
- Salt to taste
Preparation
- Cut the papad into stripes.
- Bring water to a boil in a pan and when it begins to boil, add half teaspoon of oil and papad stripes.
- Let it boil on low flame for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, strain the papad stripes and keep it aside.
- In another pan, add grated ginger-garlic, finely chopped onion, capsicum and saute till onion become translucent.
- Then add chopped tomato, salt, schezwan sauce andIyurved’s daily nutrition savoury spread (order here). Sauté well and switch off the gas flame.
- Put boiled papad stripes, mix well.
- Healthy papad pasta is ready to serve!!!
You may add 1 tbsp of Iyurved’s daily nutrition savoury spread to the pasta while it is being cooked or to the cooked pasta when serving your child.
1 cup – 225 calories
Additional nutrition benefits
( 1 tbsp of Iyurved’s daily nutrition savoury spread gives 126 calories with 5.36g of protein).
4. Red capsicum pasta
They are a good source of iron and vitamin C, which helps iron absorption from the stomach and enhance the body’s immune system. (7 foods to boost immunity in kids)
Ingredients
- Pasta – 1 cup
- Red capsicum puree – ½ cup
- Tomato puree – ½ cup
- Chopped Garlic – 3 cloves
- Iyurved’s daily nutrition savoury spread (order here) – 2 tbsp
- Water – 2 cups
- Oil – 1 tbsp
- Pepper or oregano – 1 tsp
- Basil leaves
- Jaggery/ sugar- a pinch
- Cheese (Optional)
- Salt to taste
Preparation
- In a pan, add water, half a teaspoon of oil, salt, pasta and cook well.
- Once it is cooked, strain the water and place the pasta aside.
- In another pan, add half a teaspoon of oil and chopped garlic. Then add tomato puree and saute well.
- Add Iyurved’s daily nutrition savoury spread (order here), salt, pepper or oregano and cook for 5-8 minutes.
- To the above sauce, add red capsicum puree and cook for another 5 minutes.
- Finally, add jaggery or sugar, basil leaves.
- To this sauce, now add the cooked pasta and mix well.
- Add cheese on the top and serve hot!!
You may add 1 tbsp of Iyurved’s daily nutrition savoury spread to the pasta while it is being cooked or to the cooked pasta when serving your child.
1 cup – 230 calories
Additional nutrition benefits
( 1 tbsp of Iyurved’s daily nutrition savoury spread gives 126 calories with 5.36g of protein).
5. Spinach pasta
Vitamin K and magnesium are abundant in spinach, both of which are essential minerals for bone health. Spinach also contains vitamins and minerals that strengthen your immune system, such as vitamin E and magnesium. Also, check the recipe for spinach smoothie.
Ingredients
- Pasta – 1 cup
- Spinach puree – ½ cup
- Chopped onion – 1
- Chopped Garlic – 3-4 cloves
- Grated ginger – 1 tsp
- Sorghum millet – 2 tbsp
- Iyurved’s daily nutrition savoury spread (order here) – 1 tbsp
- Schezwan sauce – 1 tbsp
- Chilli flakes – 1 tsp
- Milk – ¼ cup
- Oregano – 1 tbsp
- Water – 2 cups
- Oil – 1 tbsp
- Salt to taste
Preparation
- Initially, add some water, pasta to a pan and cook the pasta and keep it aside.
- In another pan, add oil, grated ginger, garlic, chopped onion and saute well.
- Now add schezwan sauce, oregano, chilli flakes andIyurved’s daily nutrition savoury spread (order here).
- To this, add sorghum millet and cook on low flame for few seconds.
- Now, add spinach puree, salt and mix well.
- Pour milk and add the cooked pasta, stir well, cook for a minute.
- Spinach pasta is ready to serve!!
You may add 1 tbsp of Iyurved’s daily nutrition savoury spread to the pasta while it is being cooked or to the cooked pasta when serving your child.
1 cup – 160 calories
Additional nutrition benefits
( 1 tbsp of Iyurved’s daily nutrition savoury spread gives 126 calories with 5.36g of protein).
They’re simple to prepare and will quickly become your child’s favourite. However, pasta, like any other whole grain food, is beneficial for your health if prepared properly. Try these pasta recipes with vegetables and also use your ideas to create them more healthful for your child.
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