Quick Pesto Pasta Recipe For Babies and Toddlers
Table of Contents
Basil Pesto Pasta
I do not even know where to start with this bento box!
Let’s start with the fresh pesto! Oh my goodness the pesto! This must be my favourite pesto recipes of all time!
I was used to buying the pesto sauce in the jars, and that is fine, and it was nice but I knew I could create a pesto that was fresh, delicious and packed full of flavour! This is my take on a traditional pesto.
This really is a go to pasta sauce in my home using simple ingredients and my son loves it! I was unsure whether he would be into a pesto sauce but it’s so tasty he loves it!
Packed full of basil and pine nuts with the freshness of the lemon juice, this really is something special.
I wanted to make this a dairy-free baby pesto too as, well. Why not? The nutritional yeast in this sauce really is a good substitute for Parmesan cheese! You do not even miss the Parmesan.
Next, the dough balls! Oh my, these dough balls are so tasty! They are quick and simple to make which is always a win! And they are made with only 2 ingredients.
So you really can whip these up so very quickly! Even the “garlic butter” is simple. You will have to give these a try! You could even add them to a spaghetti bolognaise or with your pizzas mid week! Give them a go!
Finally, tomato and basil is just the perfect combination, so tasty, so delicious with just these two ingredients. Such a lovely little side to end this delicious bento box.
Your little ones with absolutely love this tasty recipe, it is such an easy family meal and great for that fussy eater and picky eaters! And not only that, you could make another one for yourself for your lunch! Parents/caregivers need a delicious nutritious lunch too!
Can My 6 Month Old Have Pesto Pasta
Yes, a 6-month-old can have homemade pesto pasta, and this is a kid-friendly pasta pesto recipe, but it is advisable to avoid adding salt and any nuts due to potential allergens. Ensure the pasta is well cooked to a soft consistency appropriate for a baby's age.
It is recommended to introduce one ingredient at a time to monitor for any adverse reactions.
Keep portion sizes small and consult with a healthcare provider for guidance on introducing new foods to your baby's diet if needed
I hope you enjoy this one, a perfect recipe for the whole family! My favourite bento box so far! Yum!
Ingredient information
Penne pasta - I’ve used penne pasta (great for finger foods) but you can use your pasta shapes of choice! I’ve used a lentil pasta for this before which was yummy! Orzo would work well too from 6 months old.
Fresh basil leaves- I love fresh basil and so does everyone in my household. It’s so fresh and delicious and makes a pesto taste great.
Pine nuts - pine nuts are so tasty. If you have time to toast these before - this will take the pesto sauce to the next level. You could add in a handful of sunflower seeds to for extra nutrition.
Nutritional yeast - So tasty as a cheesy alternative. You must give it a try if you haven’t already. Great if you’re little one is following a vegan diet.
Extra Virgin olive oil - A pesto needs olive oil. So a huge splash of good quality olive oil is a winner.
Lemon juice - Lemon juice brings a freshness to this dish that it needs.
Greek style yogurt - I’ve keep saying it but yogurt is so versatile and I love this is the main ingredient for these dough balls.
Plain flour - Needed for the dough balls, you can use gluten free flour to make them gluten free.
Garlic powder - An easy quick way to add to any dish that needs it.
Oregano - Brings these dough balls to life!
Cherry tomatoes - A delicious sweet yummy side.
Serving suggestion
This can be served on its own! The whole recipe is so tasty it really doesn’t need anything else to go alongside. You could serve with some super healthy broccoli if you like.
If you did, you could serve with a simple fruit salad or with some delicious melon.
The pesto is great on bread too, cut into fingers would be great.
Other recipes you may like: Classic spaghetti bolognaise, Tuna pasta bake, tomato sauce or Margherita pasta.
Storage instructions
The great news is this can be made ahead of time and kept in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Same with the pesto sauce, this can be kept In the fridge for up to 3 days. So can be used within the week if needed.
You could freeze the pesto in ice cube trays and pull out when you need, great for batch cooking for future meals. Just make sure the pesto has cooled completely before transferring to ice cube trays. To defrost, leave in the fridge overnight and you can use cold or heat in the microwave for 30 seconds or so depending on your microwave settings.
You can freeze the dough balls too, feel free to make a bigger batch of the dough balls by doubling or tripling the ingredients. Make sure that are cooled down to room temperature before transferring to an airtight container or freezer bag, They will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
The dough balls can be defrosted overnight in the fridge the same way as the pesto sauce.
Once both have been frozen you will not be able to re freeze.
Equipment used to help with this recipe
Recipe | Quick Pesto Pasta Recipe For Babies and Toddlers
Makes 1 bento box for little or big tummies
Pesto Pasta
40g penne pasta
1/2 bag, 15g fresh basil
2 tablespoons pine nuts
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast, plus extra for garnish
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 small lemon, juiced
Black pepper (zero salt)
Dough balls - makes 5 small balls
1 tablespoon dairy free Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons plain flour
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon oregano
Tomato salad
3 cherry tomatoes, into quarters
1 basil leaf, sliced
Instructions
Pre heat your oven to a medium heat of 180C or 350F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
Cook the pasta as per packet instructions and then drain and set aside to cool. Usually 10-15 minutes, you want it to be very soft for your baby. (cold pasta is fine). Keep a little of the pasta water.
For the dough balls, mix together using a spoon the dairy-free yogurt, flour and a sprinkling of oregano, and then finish off with your hands.
Roll into a large ball, and then split into 5 small balls. If the mixture becomes too sticky, flour your hands and dip the balls in a little bit of flour and roll so that you have 5 small balls.
Mix a little olive oil and garlic powder in a small bowl, and dip each ball into the oil and coat the dough balls.
Place the dough balls on the baking sheet. Sprinkle with a little oregano if you like.
Pop them in the oven for 25 minutes until golden brown. Once cooked leave to cool.
For the pesto, start by adding the pine nuts, olive oil, basil, lemon juice, black pepper a little of the reserved pasta water and nutritional yeast to a food processor or blender. Blend all the ingredients until bright green and a creamy texture.
Add the pesto to the pasta and mix, and add to the bento box, and top with a little nutritional yeast.
Place the chopped tomato and basil in the bento box.
Place the dough balls in the bento box.
Hope you and your family enjoy!
Recipe notes
If you did want to add in any Parmesan cheese, you absolutely can, but I would highly recommend getting some nutritional yeast as it’s so tasty and a great dairy-free alternative. My son is not Vegan but I like to give him a huge variety. So give it a go, even if you’re not following a vegan diet.
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