Easy, Pea Puree Pasta Recipe For Baby Led Weaning
Table of Contents
Green Veggie Pasta (That They Will Eat)
If you need a quick, easy 4 ingredient recipe look no further than this simple pasta recipe: Pea puree pasta!
This is one of those recipes that you can whip up when you really don’t have the time, and let’s face it, that’s most days!
Not only is this a quick recipe, it is full of flavour that will satisfy even a fussy toddler.
Pasta Shapes
This recipe works so well with any pasta, so of course you can use your pasta of choice, Such as whole wheat pasta, or tubular shapes such as Penne or Rigatoni all work well from 6 months of age. These pastas work as great finger foods. If you are introducing lumpy textures to your babies weaning journey, Orzo pasta will be a great pasta to use!
Another good choice would be small pasta shapes like mini shells, small stars, or small tubes. These shapes are small enough for your baby to grasp with their fingers or for you to easily feed them with a spoon.
Remember to cook the pasta of your choice until it is very soft to ensure that it is safe for your little one to eat, do not cook al dente.
Always supervise your baby closely during mealtime to prevent choking hazards. Enjoy watching your baby explore new textures!
Peas
Pea puree can be a good choice for Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) as it offers a smooth texture that is easily manageable for babies who are just starting solid foods.
Peas are also nutritious, providing vitamins, minerals, and fibre that are beneficial for a baby's growth and development. However, it's important to introduce peas one at a time to watch for any potential allergies or digestive issues.
As with any food during BLW, close supervision is necessary to ensure safe eating practices.
Can My Baby Eat Crème Fraiche
Yes, dairy products like crème fraiche may be introduced to babies around 6 months of age if there are no known allergies or digestive issues.
When incorporating creme fraiche into pasta dishes for your little one, it's crucial to consider the overall composition of the meal. Ensure that the pasta is well-cooked to an age-appropriate consistency and mixed thoroughly with the crème fraiche to prevent any choking hazards.
Additionally, be mindful of the salt content in the crème fraiche and other ingredients in the pasta dish, as babies under 1 year old should consume minimal salt.
Remember, every baby is different, and it's essential to observe how your baby reacts to new foods. Gradually introducing crème fraiche within pasta dishes can be a delightful way to expand your baby's palate.
Easy Swap For Vegan Babies
To make this recipe vegan, a simple swap can be made by substituting the creme fraiche with a vegan alternative such as vegan creme fraiche or vegan Greek yogurt. This substitution will allow you to enjoy the dish while adhering to a vegan diet.
You do not have to use the peas for garnish, I know sometimes little ones can be fussy with vegetables, and so it can be easier to blend and hide!
This can of course be made ahead of time the day before for the next day’s meal!
This is such a great recipe for the whole family and great for your picky eater. This recipe is popular in our home with my son!
Ingredient information
Peas - Rich in fibre and plant protein, vitamins and minerals! Peas are great for growing kiddies and for adults alike. You could use fresh peas too if you have them.
Crème fraiche - This is a great sauce base I find, and works well with the peas in this recipe in particular. If you had full fat Greek yogurt you could use this in replacement if you wanted to.
Mixed herbs - I use the dried mixed herbs here as the earthy flavours work well with the peas. If you had some fresh herbs such as parsley and chives this would work well too.
Macaroni- I have used macaroni as this is a great pasta for my son. He is able to use a fork easily with this type of pasta. You can of course use your pasta of choice.
Serving suggestion
As you can see I have served with a few more peas, you can do the same if your little ones are ok with whole peas, if not you could serve this with a side of broccoli, with melted cheese on top!
Other great pasta recipes: Orzotto, Classic spaghetti bolognaise or Spinach and ricotta lasagne.
A great tomato sauce recipe too, for an everyday pasta sauce if needed.
Storage instructions
The pasta can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days, stored in an airtight container.
If you wanted to freeze the pasta, you will need to make sure that the pasta has cooled down to room temperature for 10-15 minutes before transferring to either a freezer bag or airtight container. Ensure that the bag/airtight container is labelled with the item and the date. I use masking tape to label the airtight container.
You could use ice cube trays to freeze if you wanted to freeze smaller portions.
To defrost the pasta, leave it in the fridge overnight and make sure that it is fully defrosted, before re heating.
To reheat, place the defrosted pasta in a preheated oven 180C or 350F and reheat for 15 minutes.
Once the pasta has been defrosted you will not be able to reheat or re freeze.
Equipment Used To Help With This Recipe
Saucepan - So many pan sets out there but I particularly like to use pans with a non-stick surface for ease of cleaning and ones that are suitable for different types of hob surface.
Airtight container - I much prefer the click-shut lids on these containers compared to others. They are also dishwasher and freezer safe and BPA free, so very suitable for food use.
Large bowl - Definitely choose a stainless steel one - they are lighter than the stone or glass ones and very easy to clean.
Ice cube trays - I found that these large ice cube silicone moulds were ideal for freezing individual baby portions.
Recipe | Easy, Pea Puree Pasta Recipe For Baby Led Weaning
Makes 3 portions for little tummies
135g frozen garden peas (extra cooked peas for garnish if you like)
4 tablespoons crème fraiche
1 teaspoons dried mixed herbs
90g uncooked macaroni (30g 1 portion)
Instructions
Start by cooking the peas for 10 minutes in boiling water.
Cook the macaroni for 10 minutes in boiling water, or as per packet instructions.
Once the macaroni is cooked drain (keeping some of the cooking water) and pop the drained pasta back in the pan.
Drain the peas, add to a blender or food processor, along with the crème fraiche and mixed herbs, with a touch of the pasta cooking water and blend for a few minutes until smooth.
Pour the pea sauce over the macaroni in a large bowl and stir.
Serve into bowls (add some cheese on top and a squeeze of lemon juice and olive oil if you like). Store the rest in airtight containers.
Hope you and your family enjoy!
Recipe notes
If you wanted to make this recipe vegan, you could use a vegan crème fraiche instead of dairy crème fraiche! And add in a vegan cheese, if preferred, or even some nutritional yeast!
This recipe works well with roasted red peppers or green beans too instead of the peas.
You could also use cream cheese instead of crème fraiche, or half and half.
©The Petit Spoon
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