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Creamy, vibrant, and ready in minutes, this green pasta turns simple ingredients into a kid-approved dinner win. The sauce is smooth, naturally creamy, and packed with nourishing greens that blend right into every bite of pasta.
It is an easy weeknight meal that works for toddlers and grown-ups alike.
Why You’ll Love this Recipe!
- Ready in under 20 minutes
- Creamy without heavy cream – The sauce gets its silky texture from blended greens and simple pantry ingredients.
- Toddler-friendly flavor – Mild, smooth, and naturally slightly sweet without a strong “green” taste.
- Veggie-packed in every bite – A great way to boost greens without any complaints at the table.
- Versatile base recipe – Works as a pasta sauce, dip, or even a spread for sandwiches and wraps.
- Family-approved comfort meal
As a pediatric dietitian and mom, I’m always looking for simple, realistic ways to get more vegetables onto family plates without extra stress at mealtime. Easy vegetarian pasta sauces are one of my favorite tricks, from creamy sweet potato sauce to veggie mac and cheese, and this green pasta fits right in as a creamy, veggie-packed option kids will happily eat.
Spinach and other leafy greens can be a hard sell for many kids, including my 5-year-old, but blending them into familiar favorites like spinach pancakes, spinach muffins with banana, green smoothies for toddlers and kids, and now this green pasta (or “hulk pasta,” as my kids call it) makes them much more approachable.
This recipe is especially helpful on busy nights when you need a quick dinner that still feels nourishing. It can be served warm right after cooking or chilled for a pasta salad style lunch (see more cold school lunch ideas), making it a flexible option for both dinner and next-day school lunches.
Table of Contents
Key Ingredients
- Pasta – can use any shape but I’ve listed my favorites below
- Spinach – I recommend using fresh baby spinach instead of regular-sized spinach, which tends to taste more bitter. You can also use chopped frozen spinach, but be sure to thaw and remove any excess liquid. Here’s everything you need to know about serving spinach to babies.
- Avocado – Be sure to use ripe avocado. It will add creaminess to the sauce as well as a boost of healthy fats. It’s one of the Best Baby-Led Weaning First Foods too!
- Lemon – This is a KEY ingredient so don’t skip it! Both the lemon juice and zest truly brighten up the sauce AND help enhance the absorption of iron in the spinach. Learn more on this post about iron rich foods for babies.
Substitutions & Variations
- Make it extra creamy – Instead of water, add vegetable broth, 1/2 cup of canned coconut milk (not the one from a carton) or coconut cream to the green sauce. It will add an extra layer of flavor and creaminess.
- Add fresh herbs – Blend in fresh basil or other herbs like parsley or cilantro for a brighter, fresher flavor.
- Boost the citrus – Add extra lemon zest to enhance the freshness and balance the richness of the sauce.
- Make it dairy-free – Use vegan parmesan or nutritional yeast for a savory, cheesy flavor without dairy.
- Try different greens – Swap spinach with kale or use a mix of leafy greens. Spinach is the mildest and most kid-friendly option.
- Add avocado for creaminess – Blend in half an avocado for an ultra-creamy texture and a boost of healthy fats.
Choosing the Best Pasta
While any pasta shape will work with this sauce, I prefer the short pasta shapes with ridges or grooves, like fusilli, rigatoni, or corkscrew, as they really soak up this creamy green sauce. Orzo would be delicious too!
As for the type of pasta, you can use regular, whole wheat, gluten-free pasta, or legume based pasta (e.g. chickpea, edamame, lentil) for extra protein, iron, and fiber. Learn more about the benefits and some of the best high fiber foods for babies and toddlers.
How to Make Green Pasta
Step 1: Bring a large pot of water and cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water and drain. Set aside.
Step 2: While the pasta cooks, combine spinach and the rest of the ingredients in a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth. For best results, use a high-powered blender so there are no chunks of spinach.
Step 3: Pour the smooth sauce back into the pan you cooked the pasta in. Cook, stirring frequently, on medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes until heated through. Add some pasta water if the sauce gets too thick.
Step 4: Add the cooked pasta and toss.
Expert Tips
- Blend until completely smooth – The texture should be silky so kids don’t notice any leafy bits.
- Don’t skip pasta water – Be sure to save some pasta cooking water before draining the pasta. This starchy water really helps the sauce stick to the noodles as well as adds silkiness to the dish.
- Taste and adjust after blending – Once blended, taste the sauce and adjust to your liking. We like it really garlicky so oftentimes will add more. You can add more lemon juice too.
- Use hot pasta for best coating – Toss immediately so the sauce naturally absorbs into the noodles.
- Keep flavor mild for toddlers – Go light on garlic and strong greens if serving younger kids.
Serving Suggestions
This green pasta works as a complete meal, but you can round it out easily:
- With protein – Serve alongside grilled chicken, tofu, or salmon for a balanced plate. See chicken for babies to learn different ways to cook as well as safe serving tips.
- With a simple side – Pair with fruit, cucumber slices, or roasted carrots for an easy family dinner.
- For babies & toddlers – Serve with soft fruit (like berries or pears) and cut pasta into smaller bites if needed. Here I served the pasta with a steam roasted carrot strip and mashed white beans.
- Lunchbox option – Pack leftovers warm in a thermos for school or daycare lunches. Check out my healthy school lunch ideas for kids for more inspo!
- Make it a pasta bowl – Top with shredded cheese, olive oil drizzle, or extra veggies for adults.
- If you want to incorporate more variety into your child’s diet, store the green pasta sauce separately. You can stir it into cooked whole grains like oatmeal, quinoa, or lentils. Learn how to prepare and serve lentils for babies as well as how to make baby oatmeal.
Is your toddler becoming picky?
Arm yourself with these strategies that will transform your mealtimes!
Green Pasta FAQs
Transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can enjoy both cold or warm. Reheat briefly in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash or water.
You can also freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
The color comes naturally from blended leafy greens like spinach or kale mixed into a creamy sauce.
Yes, the sauce can be made in advance and stored separately or mixed with pasta when ready to serve.
More Easy Pasta Recipes
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!
Green Pasta (Hulk Pasta)
Video
Ingredients
- 6 ounces baby spinach
- 2 tablespons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium avocado
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 garlic cloves, can also use 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan (2 ounces)
- 1/2 cup water, broth, or canned coconut milk
- 8 ounces pasta
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water and drain.
- Add the rest of the ingredients into a food blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour the sauce into the same pot you cooked the pasta in. Cook over medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently. Add some reserved pasta water if it gets too thick.
- Add pasta and toss. Top with additional parmesan cheese or lemon juice, as desired.
Notes
- Transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can enjoy both cold or warm. Reheat briefly in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash or water.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
My 14 months old loved this recipe! And after adding salt, so did we š healthy, tasty and easy to make, great combo, thank you!
You’re welcome!