• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

MJ and Hungryman

  • Home
  • About
    • The Team
    • Becoming an RD
    • Contact
    • Privacy
  • Blog
  • Recipes
  • Resources
    • Veggie Centered Delights
    • E-Cookbooks
    • Baby & Me Meal Plan
    • Grow Baby Grow
  • Widget area for main menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
Home » Baby/Kid-Friendly Recipes » Beetroot Pesto Pasta Sauce for Babies

Beetroot Pesto Pasta Sauce for Babies

By Min On February 9, 2021

Share or Save It for Later!

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
a collage including ingredient shot, close up shot of pesto and pesto mixed with pasta

Made with simple, wholesome ingredients, this beetroot pesto comes together in minutes and makes for the perfect pasta sauce for babies, kids, and adults!

beetroot pesto in a glass bowl and placed on top of wooden round plate with other basil, beets, and lemon

If you’ve been following me for a while, you know that I LOVE cooking with beets. It’s such a versatile ingredient that you can use in both sweet and savory applications, like muffins, oatmeal, meatballs, and dips.

And if you’re new here, first of all, WELCOME! Whether you are a fan of beets or not, my mission is to help you incorporate more of this super nutritious ingredient into your family’s meals.

This beetroot pesto is great for anyone who shies away from beets (ahem! I’m looking at you, hubby). All the add-ins truly elevate the flavor of the beets.

Not to mention, it’s visually so stunning that it will make you feel like like you’re sitting down to a fancy meal ;).

Contents
  • What Makes this Pesto Perfect for Babies?
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • Tips for making the perfect baby pasta sauce
  • Serving Suggestions for babies
  • More Baby Pasta Recipes
  • Recipe

What Makes this Pesto Perfect for Babies?

Beets contain so many nutrients that babies need to thrive

Ricotta is a great source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, and zinc. It’s also lower in sodium compared to most types of cheese.

This beetroot pesto is bursting with FLAVOR, which is so important to expose your baby to from the very beginning. If you thought baby food had to be bland, think again!

It is also super versatile! You can:

  • serve as is (for beginner eaters, preload onto a spoon and place on the table or hand it to your baby. LOVE these spoons (aff link)
  • toss with pasta
  • spread it on bread or tortilla
  • serve as a dip

Ingredients

all the ingredients for pesto on a wooden board

Beets – you’ll need 1 cup of roughly chopped cooked beets. My favorite way to cook them is in the Instant Pot. Here are all the ways you can prepare so that they’re soft enough for your baby.

Ricotta – it goes SO well with beets! It will help add a nice creamy texture to the pesto. Be sure to look for one that’s pasteurized and made with whole milk. If you prefer a more sharp punch of flavor, you can add in some parmesan cheese.

If looking for a non-dairy option, try adding any plant-based no sugar added yogurt or this homemade cashew cheese.

Walnuts – Feel free to swap with other nut of choice, although I highly recommend trying it with walnuts first. If there’s a nut-allergy, you can substitute with pine nuts, pumpkin or sunflower seeds.

Basil – such a wonderful accompaniment to beets! You don’t really need to be exact with the measurements here. I like to add a handful. Feel free to add more or less.

Garlic and lemon – may be in small amounts but boy do they pack flavor!

Extra virgin olive oil – can add more to your desired consistency.

Instructions

all the ingredients for the pesto in a blender on the left side of collage and everything blended on the right side of collage

Leaving the food processor running, slowly add the olive oil until all ingredients are well combined. If pesto is too thick, add extra oil or water. 

Tips for making the perfect baby pasta sauce

This is a very forgiving recipe and easily adaptable to suit your tastebuds!

For instance, if you think garlic may be too spicy for you or your baby, start by adding just one clove. You can always taste and add more. Same goes for lemon and basil.

You can also easily adjust the consistency by adding more oil (or water) to make it thinner.

Serving Suggestions for babies

pesto mixed in with pasta and plated in a large white plate

Pictured: with shredded chicken. I especially love using fusili as the pesto really clings to the twists.

Toss the pesto with whatever pasta you wish. There are SO many varieties out there from whole wheat to chickpea, lentils, quinoa, and so much more! 

For a boost of priority nutrients for babies, add diced or shredded (depending on your child’s age and chewing abilities) chicken, beef or vegetarian protein source like tofu, edamame, or beans. 

Do continue serving beets (or any food) in its whole form so that your baby can learn to appreciate them as is.

More Baby Pasta Recipes

  • Veggie loaded meat sauce
  • Cream of mushroom pasta
  • Cauliflower cashew alfredo pasta
  • Homemade hamburger helper

Did you make this beetroot pesto pasta sauce for babies?Follow me on Instagram post a photo and tag me, post a photo on my Facebook page, or save it to Pinterest. I love to see what you’re making! 

a close up shot of pesto with a spoon

Recipe

a close up shot of pesto with a spoon

Beetroot Pesto Pasta Sauce

Made with simple, wholesome ingredients, this beetroot pesto comes together in minutes and makes for the perfect pasta sauce for babies, kids, and adults!
5 from 3 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 4
Author: Min | MJ and Hungryman

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (170g) of roughly chopped steamed or roasted and peeled beets, about 1 1/2 medium beets
  • 1/4 cup (30g) walnuts
  • basil, a handful (doesn't have to be exact)
  • 1/3 cup (3 oz or 80g) whole milk ricotta
  • 2-3 garlic cloves
  • 1-2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

  • In a food processor or blender, add all the ingredients minus the oil and pulse several times.
  • Leaving the food processor running, slowly add the olive oil until all ingredients are well combined. If pesto is too thick, add extra oil or water. 
  • Store in a jar for up to a week.

Notes

  • Walnuts – Feel free to swap with other nuts of choice, although I highly recommend trying it with walnuts first. If there’s a nut-allergy, you can substitute with pine nuts, pumpkin or sunflower seeds
  • Basil – such a wonderful accompaniment to beets! You don’t really need to be exact with the measurements here. I like to add a handful. Feel free to add more or less.
  • If you think garlic may be too spicy for you or your baby, start by adding just one clove. You can always add more at the end. Same goes for lemon and basil.
  • You can also easily adjust the consistency by adding more oil (or water) to make it thinner.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 194kcal | Protein: 4g | Fat: 18g | Sodium: 44mg | Potassium: 174mg | Fiber: 1g | Vitamin A: 104IU | Calcium: 58mg | Iron: 1mg
Course Appetizer, Main Course, Snack
Cuisine American
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Tag me @KidFriendly.Meals today!

Share or Save It for Later!

Share: [addtoany]

Filed Under: Appetizers & Snacks, Baby/Kid-Friendly Recipes, Main Meals, Pasta/ Noodles, Recipes, sauces, Snacks/Baking10 Comments

❮  PREVIOUS POST

Vegetable Baby Oatmeal

NEXT POST  ❯

Microwave Beetroot Curry Oatmeal

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 miracle baby, Caleb. Currently, I’m having a ton of fun feeding his little tummy and sharing our baby led weaning journey! Follow me on Instagram if interested in seeing daily menu as well as tips and tricks.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cailey says

    February 9, 2021 at 8:32 am

    Is it serve in cold?

    Reply
    • Min says

      February 9, 2021 at 8:48 am

      It can be but I recommend room temperature or warm. Don’t reheat it if you make ahead. My toddler has no issues eating it cold but if your child won’t, some suggestions are tossing it with warm pasta, spread on bread/pizza and toast, etc.

      Reply
  2. jK says

    February 9, 2021 at 1:00 pm

    Can you use any other cheese? Soft Cream cheese maybe?

    Reply
    • Min says

      February 17, 2021 at 6:17 am

      Haven’t tried but I’m sure it will work!

      Reply
  3. Dian says

    February 10, 2021 at 11:36 am

    5 stars
    Omg, this is the best healthy recipe. I made this today and my toddler love it so much!! Thank you 🙏

    Reply
    • Min says

      February 10, 2021 at 1:00 pm

      yay!! Doing the happy dance with you mama!

      Reply
  4. Lilian says

    February 16, 2021 at 5:15 pm

    Thank you for the recipe! Is this freezer friendly?

    Reply
    • Min says

      February 17, 2021 at 6:14 am

      I wouldn’t freeze these. It doesn’t make a lot so if it’s too much for your child perhaps you guys can enjoy together?

      Reply
  5. Maddalena says

    February 24, 2021 at 7:26 am

    5 stars
    Wonderful and super nutritious recipe, really tasty!

    Reply
    • Min says

      February 26, 2021 at 12:19 pm

      yay!!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

HI!

We're so glad you stopped by!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

FREE 5-day challenge to up your veggie game!

My “Subtract, Multiply, Diversify” framework will truly shift your mindset and empower you to introduce and continue exposing your baby or toddler to a variety of vegetables with simple, realistic strategies.

Almost done!

Check your inbox for a confirmation email! :)

.

search

popular feeding tips

six breakfast ideas for 9 months served on a blue and red bear-shaped silicone plate

Healthy Breakfast Ideas for Babies

A six picture collage of different ways you can serve yogurt to babies

What is the Best Yogurt for Babies?

Easy Egg Recipes for Babies

four plates showing chopped vegetables added to oatmeal, rice fingers, scrambled eggs, and toast roll-ups

Easy Ways to Add Vegetables for Babies

Popular Posts

Healthy Baby and Toddler Muffins

four carrot oatmeal cookies stacked

3 Ingredient Banana Cookies for Babies

a close up shot of the hamburger helper in a large dutch oven with fresh parsley and a large orange spatula

Homemade Hamburger Helper

A close-up of muffins on a wire rack

Healthy Blueberry Blender Baby Muffins

3 stacked spinach and sweet potato muffins with spinach and walnuts in the background

Spinach Sweet Potato Blender Muffins (baby and kid-friendly!)

baked turkey rice meatballs in a deep white bowl

Asian Turkey Rice Meatballs

Stay updated and get a free ecookbook!

Almost done!

Check your inbox for a confirmation email! :)

Footer

Copyright © 2021 MJ & Hungryman LLC · Privacy Policy

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Yummly
  • Email