Baby food noodles

Iron-rich Baby Pasta - MJ and Hungryman

By Min On November 9, 2021

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A baby pasta recipe that is loaded with iron and vegetables! You’ll also find answers to the most commonly asked questions regarding pasta for babies, such as when to introduce and which types are best.

Jump to:

Which type of pasta are best for babies?
Which pasta shapes are best?
What makes this the perfect baby pasta?
Ingredients
Step-by-Step Instructions
Frequently asked questions
More baby-friendly pasta ideas
Iron-rich baby pasta

Which type of pasta are best for babies?

Generally speaking, all pastas are great! They are great sources of carbohydrates, which babies need to support their rapid growth and development.

Legume-based pasta (such as chickpea, lentil, edamame) have the added benefit of providing more iron, protein, and fiber compared to rice and wheat-based pasta. However, they are more expensive so rotate through.

Always focus on offering as much variety of foods as possible from the start.

And just like toast and oatmeal, pasta is such a great vehicle for introducing your baby to all kinds of nutritious ingredients.

Which pasta shapes are best?

It may sound counterintuitive, BUT bigger is better and safer for babies who’ve just started solids. Fusili, rigatoni, ziti, penne, egg noodles, and lasagna cut into strips are all great options.

I personally love fusili for this recipe because the sauce really clings to the grooves.

If you’re spoon-feeding or encouraging your baby to use a spoon, small pasta like orzo, mini stars, or chopped angel hair/spaghetti will work well.

Once they develop their pincer grasp (usually around 9-10 months), you can serve smaller shapes, like macaroni, orzo, orecchiette, or cut up large pasta.

What makes this the perfect baby pasta?

This simple tomato-based pasta sauce is:

Made without salt and sugar
Rich in iron - an extremely important nutrient for babies
A very forgiving recipe - you don’t have to be super exact with the ingredient measurements and can swap out any vegetables you wish
Perfect for both baby led weaning and spoon feeding approaches
Delicious enough for the whole family to enjoy together. As you can see in the image above, you can set aside a portion for baby and blend while serving the sauce as is (thick and chunky) for everyone else, unless you prefer a smooth sauce.
Thick in texture so will be easier for your baby to scoop with their hands

Related Post: Best Iron-Rich Foods for babies and toddlers

If you are looking for a tomato-free pasta sauce, try this creamy sweet potato sauce!

Ingredients

Vegetables: you really can use whatever vegetables you have on hand! I do recommend adding some type of sweeter vegetable to help counterbalance the tartness from the tomatoes. Extra bonus if it’s rich in vitamin C to boost iron absorption
Tomato paste: did you know that this is actually a great source of iron? Not only that, it will really help to enrich the flavor to the sauce.
Red lentils: I love using this variety, especially if planning to blend as the color stays red. But feel free to use yellow or green lentils if desired.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Chop all the vegetables
Cook onion first and then the rest of the vegetables
Add tomato paste and Italian seasoning
Be sure to stir well until well incorporated
Add tomatoes, water, and lentils
Cook for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. You can enjoy as is or blend.

Frequently asked questions

When can babies have pasta?

It can be introduced as soon as your baby is developmentally ready to start solids, usually around 6 months.

If you are unsure, grab this FREE handout. You'll also receive a ton of helpful expert tips to set you on the right path

Is pasta safe for babies?

Yes, although it can cause a lot of gagging when first starting solids. Serving it with a sauce, like the one I'm sharing here, helps make pasta more manageable.

Just note that if you’re introducing pasta that contains wheat and/or egg, they are two of the top most common allergens. It’s recommended to introduce these early AND often, but if it’s your first time, then proceed with caution.

You can introduce more than one food at a time but make sure there aren’t two major allergens in the same meal. That way, if your baby does have a reaction, you’ll know exactly what was responsible.

How long to cook pasta for babies?

Cook several minutes longer than what the package instructions say so that the pasta will be soft enough for your baby to mash with their gums.

Again, there’s no need for teeth, but you do want to make sure it’s texturally-appropriate. If your family prefers pasta al dente, like mine, then simply remove portion for family once pasta reaches desired doneness and cook baby’s portion a bit longer.

Does pasta make babies constipated?

Before you start suspecting that a specific food is to blame for a lack of bowel movement, I encourage you to consider their diet as a whole.

Overall, is your baby getting enough fiber-rich foods? If you are serving refined pasta every single day, then perhaps. Here’s yet another reason why you should vary the types of pasta.

Can I blend pasta?

I would highly advise against it. Pasta contains a lot of starch and when you blend it, you’ll end up with a very unappetizing, sticky texture, that can actually become a choking hazard.

If you’ve been doing purees, I can understand your anxiety in moving forward with texture. However, it’s really essential that in minimizing texture aversion and picky eating down the road. If you feel like you’re stuck on purees, I’ve got incredible resources for you!

Can I freeze the pasta sauce?

Absolutely! I recommend freezing in single-serving portions. This tray is really great! Once frozen, you can pop the molded sauce out and transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container.

More baby-friendly pasta ideas

All of these meals were introduced to my baby during our first 3 months of starting solids. For 150+ veggie-loaded meal ideas and recipes, 80+ cooking videos, 100+ videos walking you through how to serve the meals to baby and the rest of the family, time and money-saving tips, and so much more, check out my Baby Led Feeding Journey Program.

Do you want to minimize picky eating and set a solid foundation for a lifetime of healthy eating habits?

Check out this 3 month mastering self-feeding program! It’s the closest thing to me being in your kitchen

Did you make this recipe? Leave a rating below and let me know how you liked the recipe! Your feedback means so much to me!

Iron-rich baby pasta

A baby pasta recipe that is loaded with iron and vegetables!

5 from 38 votes

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Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Servings: 8

Author: Min | MJ and Hungryman

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Dutch Oven
▢
Blender
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Freezer Tray

▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil
▢ 1 small yellow onion, diced
▢ 2 teaspoons minced garlic
▢ 1 medium zucchini, chopped
▢ 1 medium carrot, chopped
▢ 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
▢ 3 tablespoons tomato paste
▢ 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
▢ 28 ounce can no-salt-added crushed tomatoes
▢ 2 cups water
▢ 1 cup (190g) red lentils

Heat oil in a large quart pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Add the rest of the vegetables and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add tomato paste and Italian seasoning and stir until well-incorporated.
Add the tomatoes, water, and lentils, stir and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
In the meanwhile, place a pot of water on the stove, bring to a boil, and cook pasta. Set aside.
Once sauce has cooled, transfer to a blender and blend until smooth. You can also keep it chunky depending on your preference.

Serving suggestions

For beginner eaters, puree the sauce. It will stick nicely to the pasta and be easier for baby to eat. Serve a small portion at a time as seeing too much food can be overwhelming.
For older babies and toddlers, skip the extra step of blending. It will be great texture exposure.
For older children and adults, you can season with salt and add some cheese. Small amounts are fine for babies and toddlers. You just want to watch their sodium intake.

Storage suggestions

This recipe makes a lot. I recommend freezing in food storage trays. Once frozen, pop them out and transfer to a freezer-safe bag/container. Will keep for 3 months.

Calories: 149kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 2g

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

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About Min

Thank you so much for stopping by! I am Min, a Registered Dietitian, a Christ follower, a wife, and a mom to our two miracle babies! Currently, I’m having a ton of fun feeding their tummies and sharing our baby led weaning journey! Follow me on Instagram if interested in seeing daily menu as well as tips and tricks.

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Easy to make baby pasta recipes for different stages from 6 months

Chances are pasta is already a staple food in your house: it's cheap, versatile, easy to cook, and appeals to just about everyone. And your baby is no exception.

You can serve pasta to your baby in many different ways. If you're weaning your baby with purees, it's actually simple to puree pasta within a sauce.

If you're doing a Baby Led Weaning approach, you can chop regular pasta into tiny pieces (scissors make light work of this task), or buy special baby pasta shapes from the supermarket.

Full-sized pasta shapes also make great finger food, either plain or with a sauce.

Remember pasta contains wheat and so gluten - unless it's gluten-free pasta. If there's a history of these allergies in your family, watch carefully for any signs of allergy when you first give your baby pasta. You can use rice-based or gluten-free pasta if your baby does show allergic symptoms.

We've rounded up some of the best pasta recipes for babies aged 6 to 12 months, organised by age suitability, including sauce ideas, pasta bakes, easy-cook pasta dishes and so much more.

1. Easy cheesy pasta sauce

A lunchtime recipe that takes under 10 mins to prep and only 12 mins to cook. Suitable from 6 months.

2. Simple tomato pasta sauce

Simple, but effective. Suitable for babies aged from 6 months.

3. Easy salmon pasta

A clever way of introducing fish to your baby's diet. Suitable from 6 months.

4. Sweetcorn and sweet potato pasta

Easy to prep, and suitable for children 7 months and older. Perfect way to serve pasta as a finger food.

5. Annabel Karmel's hidden vegetable sauce

A great recipe for reluctant veggie eaters - this sauce contains carrot, leek, red pepper, courgette, onion as well as tomatoes. Suitable from 8 months+

6. Cheesy pasta with broccoli

Try with peas or green beans! Suitable for 7 months+

7.

Pasta, carrot and lentil soup

A yummy way to use pasta for your baby's mealtimes a bit differently. Suitable from 8 months

8. Green pasta bake

Courgette, leek, peas and broccoli are a healthy green pasta accompaniment. Suitable from 8 months

9. Spaghetti bolognese

Italian baby food at its best. Chop up the spaghetti into small little strips (around 5cm). Suitable from 8 months

10. Pasta with cream cheese and peas

Add mushrooms or ham if you want to experiment with flavours for your child. Suitable from 8 months+

11. Baby pesto pasta sauce

Just blend it together and you've got an unusual pasta sauce for your baby. Suitable for 8 months+

12. Chicken pasta bake

Delicious and oh-so-easy pasta dish that can serve the whole family. Suitable when mashed or chopped from 8 months

13. Meat-free spaghetti bolognese

Tasty bolognese sauce made from soya mince, a nutritious vegetarian alternative suitable for babies from 9 months

14.

Macaroni cheese with broccoli and cauliflower

Perfect for lunch, great for experimenting with different vegetables, and suitable for 9 months and above.

15. Traditional lasagne

You can experiment with other mince meat or soya. Suitable from 10 months

16. Rigatoni with 5-veg pasta sauce

An easy way to make sure little ones get a healthy mix of veg in their diet. Suitable for 10 months+

17. Spinach and parmesan spaghetti

You can use this recipe with courgette spaghetti, too. Suitable for 10 months+

18. Cannelloni

Makes enough for a baby, a toddler and 2 adults. A lovely family meal - with your choice of filling. Suitable from 10 months+

19. Vegetarian lasagne with green lentils

A fab way to give your veggie baby some protein. Suitable for 11 months+

20. Tuna pasta bake

A delicious tuna and sweetcorn pasta dish with cheese sauce and a cheesy topping. Suitable from 11 months

21. Beef and kale lasagne

Kale is a great source of essential vitamins. A great meal for the whole family. Suitable from 11 months

22. Pasta with tomato and ricotta sauce

A tasty tomato and cheese sauce that's a big children's pasta favourite. Suitable from 11 months

23. Trout and broccoli pasta

Oily fish trout is a rich source of protein and full of nutrients, including vitamins B1, B6, potassium and omega-3 fatty acids. Mix with the high fibre and vitamin A offered by the broccoli, and this a healthy pasta dish. Suitable from 12 months

More recipe ideas:

28 easy-cook baby recipes for kids over 10 months
Our complete guide to weaning and baby food
18 inspirational weaning Instagrams to follow now

Benefits and recipes for homemade noodle dough for baby food

Baby food is an issue that most parents especially focus on. After all, how the baby eats depends on his growth, development, mood and health in general. Feeding a child healthy and tasty food is not an easy task. However, there is a solution. For example, homemade noodles, the recipe for dough and other components of which are carefully thought out. Cooked with your own hands, it will only benefit the children's body. And a small supply of culinary skills, combined with imagination, will be able to present it in the form that any child will like. nine0003

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Baby nutrition: avoiding allergies

In the nutrition of babies, it is important to follow special rules. For example, food should be simple, safe and easily digestible. You also need to make sure that it does not lead to allergies.

To do this, the baby's nutrition should be varied and balanced. This will help prevent the buildup of allergens. Eat small meals 4-5 times a day. nine0003

Allergic activity can be reduced by processing such as boiling, steaming or baking. Cereals before cooking must be soaked for 2 hours in cool water, while changing it several times. This helps to get rid of unnecessary substances that may have processed the grain. It is better to soak potatoes for 12 hours to remove excess starch. Meat broths are best cooked with only 2 water. You should also add as little sugar and salt as possible to the menu, and, on the contrary, increase the proportion of clean drinking water. So the baby's body will be easier to get rid of unnecessary. nine0003

As for specifically homemade noodles, it is also better to change the recipe a little. For example, replace traditional premium wheat flour with whole grain, or experiment with rice, buckwheat or corn - more useful analogues.

The use of chicken eggs in the recipe makes this dish not suitable for every day and not for any age. It is better to give the baby noodles no more than 2-3 times a week. Also, for safety reasons, only yolks can be used in the recipe, as they have fewer allergens than proteins. nine0003

Proteins, fats and carbohydrates in baby food: what are the benefits of noodles?

What kid doesn't love pasta? Stringy spaghetti, colorful bows and curls. When cooking noodles at home, you can give it any shape and color. Beetroot juice will turn it pinkish, spinach will make it bright green, egg yolks will turn it appetizingly yellow. What is the use of such a dish for a child?

Noodles made from whole grain flour contain carbohydrates, proteins and even a little fat, as well as a lot of vitamin E and group B. Rice flour will give the baby a portion of manganese, phosphorus, beneficial amino acids and zinc. In addition, it does not contain gluten. nine0003

Buckwheat noodles have an increased content of iron, which is involved in maintaining hemoglobin levels.

The main rule is not to overdo it and do not flavor the dish with fatty or non-natural sauces that are harmful to children. It is better to give noodles for breakfast or lunch; for dinner, such a product may be too “heavy”.

Simple and delicious: homemade noodles, dough recipe

Of course, by carefully studying the data on the package, you can choose the right noodles for your child in the store, and this option is easier. But you can also cook on your own. nine0003

Homemade noodles, dough recipe without eggs

Ingredients:

Per serving you will need a glass of flour (your choice), ¼ glass of water, 0.5 tsp. salt.

Cooking:

It is necessary to mix the dry ingredients in a deep bowl (be sure to sift the flour), gradually add water to them, kneading a dense dough. Then put it in the refrigerator for 1.5 hours. After that, roll out the dough into a layer 2-3 mm thick, cut into strips 2-3 cm wide. Sprinkle each of the strips with flour and chop into small noodles. You can cook it immediately or dry it to use a little later. nine0003

Homemade noodles, egg yolk dough recipe

Ingredients:

3 egg yolks, 100 g flour, 0.5 tsp. vegetable refined oil.

Cooking:

Sift the flour, make a well in the center of the hill and add the yolks with butter. Knead a homogeneous dough that does not stick to your hands. Flour is not “friends” with yolks, so the task requires an investment of effort. You can try kneading with a rolling pin. When the dough is ready, wrap it in a film and put it in the refrigerator for an hour. After that, we take it out, unfold it, leave it to rest for half an hour at room temperature, roll it out, cut the noodles into arbitrary pieces. nine0003

Homemade noodles, recipes for baby and the whole family

Homemade noodles with milk

Diluted milk is more suitable for the digestive system of babies whose diet has already been introduced with complementary foods. Therefore, for the first time, it is better to dilute it in a ratio of milk to water of 1 to 3. Over time, you can equalize the shares to 1 to 1.

Ingredients:

600 ml milk-water mixture, 1 tbsp. l. sugar, 4 tbsp. l. noodles, some salt.

nine0002 Cooking:

Pour water into a saucepan with a thick bottom, boil, add milk, boil again. Add salt and sugar, then pour in the noodles, cook for 6-7 minutes, stirring with a wooden spoon. Remove from heat, cool and can be given to crumbs.

Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

Ingredients:

2000 ml water, medium onion and carrot, chicken leg, salt to taste, 0.5 tsp. butter and herbs for serving.

Cooking:

nine0002 We wash the chicken ham thoroughly under running water, cut it into pieces, put it in a saucepan with cold water. Bring to a boil, remove the released foam, when the foam stops appearing - drain the broth.

Pour the meat with clean water, bring to a boil, cook over low heat for another 35 minutes.

Add peeled and chopped onions and carrots to the broth. It is better to grate carrots on a fine grater. Salt and cook for another 17 minutes. 8 minutes before readiness, you can add the noodles to the broth and cook together. Or boil it separately and add to a plate when serving with fresh herbs and a piece of butter. This will keep the broth clear. nine0003

Homemade noodles, the recipe of which is described here, will appeal not only to the crumbs, but also to the rest of the family. Enjoy your meal!

Milk noodles for baby food: useful tips and recipes

Looking through recipes for children's dishes, moms and dads often take note of simple options with pasta products. Milk noodles are one of the most popular treats of this type. Dry flour products boiled in milk are a double benefit and an excellent delicate taste. Such a dish is willingly eaten not only by children, but also by adults. nine0003

Pasta in children's diet: restrictions and contraindications

Every parent should know that despite the benefits of flour products, they should be introduced into the children's diet with caution.

It is not recommended to give noodles to children under one year of age. For the stomach of a toddler, such food may be too heavy. Some modern pasta manufacturers produce special crushed products, but these should not be included in baby food without the approval of a pediatrician. nine0003

According to many nutritionists, pasta should be introduced into the children's menu no more than twice a week. It is generally undesirable for overweight babies, regardless of age category, to give flour, since the use of such delicacies can negatively affect the dynamics of weight gain and the overall development of small strong men.

If the child has intolerance to certain food components, when choosing noodles, parents should pay special attention to the composition of the product. nine0003

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Noodles for baby's health: which product is preferable?

First of all, it should be noted that, in principle, it is not advisable to consider instant noodles as a product that can be a complete baby food. During production, such products are subjected to special pre-treatment and, as a result, they lose almost all useful substances. nine0003

From factory products, it is best to give preference to vermicelli made on the basis of durum wheat. Such noodles are enriched with amino acids, proteins and carbohydrates necessary for a growing organism.

And yet, the most ideal option for baby food would be natural homemade noodles prepared by the caring hands of loving parents. Unlike store-bought pasta, homemade noodles taste better and are of higher quality. nine0003

How to cook homemade noodles?

Recipes for homemade noodles are quite diverse and easy to perform. To prepare the dough, it is best to use wheat flour or its mixture with buckwheat.

Consider one of the best culinary options. It involves the use of the following ingredients:

flour - 250 g;
chicken egg - 1 pc.;
salt - a pinch;
boiled water.

Step-by-step instruction: nine0003

Pour about 200 g of flour on the table in a heap, and make a small well in the center.
Gently crack an egg into the hole, then add a little salt and water (about 50 ml).
Knead the dough, adding water as needed. You should get a dense elastic mass that does not stick to your hands.
Wrap the pastry in cling film and leave for 30-40 minutes.
After the recommended time has elapsed, unpack the dough and lay it out on a table previously sprinkled with flour. nine0127
Roll out the flour mass until you form a cake with a thickness of 1.5-2 millimeters.
Cut the rolled out dough into long strips 5-6 cm wide.
Stack the dough strips on top of each other and cut into thin strips.
Lay the blanks on a clean surface and wait for them to dry completely.

Carefully dried homemade noodles should be poured into a textile bag and put away in a dark, dry, cool place. The maximum storage period is 2 weeks. nine0003

Delicious lunch for children: milk soup with vermicelli

Classic recipes never go out of style. The delicate sweetish taste of the presented dish is loved by many adults, and is familiar from the time when they themselves were children. Little gourmets of the new generation will surely appreciate this treat as well! Here's everything you need to make it:

noodles - 200 g;
milk - 250 ml;
water - 120-150 ml; nine0127
salt - a pinch;
sugar or natural honey - to taste (to minimize the calorie content of the delicacy and make it even more useful, it is best to use honey).

Sequence of actions:

Bring salted water to a boil, then add the pasta and stir.
Cook the noodles, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has evaporated.
Pour boiled pasta with milk, then add sugar or honey and bring to a boil. nine0127
Turn off the burner, cover the pan with a lid.

Let the dish sit for a few minutes to make the noodles softer.

Modern recipes: milk noodles in a slow cooker

In order to end up with tasty and nutritious milk noodles from the multicooker, at the very beginning you need to choose the right type of preparation. For thin products, the “Porridge” mode will be the most optimal, and for thick products, “Steam cooking”.

List of ingredients: nine0003

noodles - 150 g;
milk - 3 cups;
water - 1 glass;
sugar;
salt;
butter.

During the cooking process, adhere to the following scheme:

Pour milk and water into the multicooker bowl, then set the desired mode for 10-15 minutes. There is no need to lower the multicooker lid.
When the liquid boils, dip the noodles into it.
Add salt and sugar to taste to base. nine0127
As soon as the composition begins to boil (small bubbles will form on the milk surface), close the lid and cook the dish in the heating mode for about 5 minutes.
Add a small piece of butter to the finished dish.

The meal will bring the child more pleasure if you add his favorite berries, fruits or dried fruits to the treats.

Quick and delicious: cheese and milk noodles

Many children love treats with grated cheese. If your baby is also a fan of this product, then this recipe will be a real find for you! The dish is prepared in two counts. All you need is pasta, milk, and some sugar, butter, and hard cheese. nine0003

Cooking order:

Boil the noodles in milk until tender, then let them cool down a bit.
Put a small piece of butter into the warm pasta mass and add sugar to taste.
Carefully place the treat on a plate, then sprinkle the portion with grated cheese.

Such a dish is very pleasant to drink with jelly or a milkshake.