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.
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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.
Related post: Best First Foods
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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!
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
Equipment
Ingredients
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
Notes
-
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.
SR says
So grateful for this recipe!! My very picky 10 month old loves this and it feels like such a win when she eats it with all the great ingredients in here. Thank you!!!!
Min says
Oh I'm so happy that she loves this dish! You're welcome!
Lisa says
So yummy and healthy! My picky 5 and 2 year old loved it and so did my husband and 7 month old. Love all the healthy ingredients and simple or was to make. And now I have lots to freeze!
Puréed it for baby and only partially blended it for everyone else
Min says
So happy to hear that you guys enjoyed this meal!
Kez says
Thank you so much for this recipe.
My daughter first tried it at 9 months and has loved it ever since and now at 18 months it's my go to dinner when she's being fussy as it's the only thing I know she's guaranteed to eat
Min says
It makes me so happy to hear that this is the recipe you turn to over and over again!
Jessica says
my baby loooooves this sauce!!! She gobbled up her serving with pasta and wanted more, but just the sauce. Hubby and I like it too so the large portion is fab for meal prep.
Min says
Aww this makes my heart sing! Thank you for sharing!
Kate says
Curious about how much pasta should I cook?
Also do you reccomnded mixing the pasta and sauce and freezing together or seperate?
Min says
However much you want! No freeze the pasta and sauce separately
Christine says
This is a life saver. Currently all my 11 month old will eat right now is this besides some yoghurt and strawberries.
Min says
So glad to hear that his is providing the nourishment your baby needs!
Amber says
My 9 month old loved this!
Min says
Yay!!!
BT says
Excited to try this recipe! Any tips on how to pack pasta for school lunches? Hot pasta in thermos seems to overcook by lunchtime. You think it would work if I cooked the pasta and sauce the night before, mix them the next morning and pack them cold?
Min says
Yes! That's what I do all the time!
Bonny says
1 yo loved it!
Min says
Woohoo!!
Betty says
Love your recipes! I couldn't find no-salt crushed tomatoes at my local grocery store, would canned dice tomato work? Thanks!
Min says
HI! Sure. Just give it a quick pulse before adding
Kim says
So good! My 15 month old loved it. I also added some leftover sauce into a quesadilla, and it was delicious. I will definitely be adding this recipe to our meal rotation.
Min says
Ooh a great idea to repurpose leftovers!
Marin says
Thanks for the recipe! I'm excited to try! Do you recommend storing the pasta and sauce separately, or mixing them together before freezing?
Min says
Hi! I would store separately
Amaal Aboidan says
Supper easy and supper yum
Jane says
Making this today! Can’t wait to try it. Thank you for all your amazing recipes!
Evan says
Healthy and great for freezing!
Ioana says
Good idea incorporating lentils.!
Holly says
Can't wait to try this tomorrow! Your recipes are our dietary Bible in our house. I have about 10 of your recipes that I make and prep monthly for my 2 year old and my 7 month old. I've been using them for so long but realized today that I have never taken the time to thank you personally for all of the hard work that you put into making all of this information not only readily available to us all but they're tastier than any other baby recipes I've found, and the easiest to follow as well. You're amazing. Thank you for everything that you do.
Min says
Dearest Holly...This just melts my heart. I've been feeling quite overwhelmed lately and your words just breathed so much encouragement into me. So thank YOU!!
Hye Jin says
DITTO to everything!! I would be so lost and overwhelmed with what and HOW to cook for my 7 month old. I usually just jump straight to the recipe on other blogs, but I read every single word on here because it’s all relevant and informative! Love the detailed instructions, pictures, tips, alternative options. Thank you thank you thank you! I just bought red lentils so gonna give this a go soon (after I make your meatballs first 😄)
Min says
Oh I'm so glad to hear that my posts have been helpful! A lot of times I wonder if I write too much and whether or not people are reading all the details so this is very reassuring! Thank you for sharing and for being here!
Maybelline says
Can we use fresh tomatoes instead of canned tomatoes?
Min says
I haven't tried but I want to say yes..will be a lot of extra work though to get it smooth...
Farah says
Love all your recipes! Thanks for all the hard work you put in!
Can’t wait to try this one!
Min says
Hope it's a hit!
Swati says
Love this recipe !
Thank you for sharing
Min says
My pleasure!
Falgooni Patel says
Amazing !!
Dora Bozga says
Just tried it and toddler and husband devoured it! Another great recipe! Thank you so much!
Min says
Woohoo!! Makes me so happy to hear! Thanks for sharing 😉
Aanchal Chopra says
Excellent
Ernest says
Can’t wait to try this! Love lentils for baby, so I appreciate recipes that have this ingredient.
Min says
Hope you guys enjoy!
Tina says
This is great for my kids who only devour pasta!
Kim says
I love this! You have the best recipe ideas and I look forward to keep trying them all. God bless!
Min says
aww thank you!
Lizzy says
So excited to try this one!
Min says
Hope it will be a huge success!
Suveha says
What a great idea to integrate lentils into the sauce. I loved the taste and so did baby boy.
Min says
Yay!! Thank you for sharing!!
Tessa Tang says
Do we have to soak or rehydrate the lentils before hand? Or just throw the dry hard lentils in to cook and simmer?
Min says
There's no need. Just add to the pot
Betty says
I was looking for an iron-riched recipe for my little one! Thank you for posting one! Will try tomorrow!
Min says
Ooh!! Let me know what your LO thinks of it!
Christina says
Can you substitute with green lentils?
Min says
You can but the texture of the red lentils will work better
Ayumi says
Looks yummy and nutritious!
Can I use split red lentil instead or does it get too mushy?? I have a lot of them and don’t know what I can make for my baby as it gets too mushy when I try making small balls or something 🙁
Min says
Yes it will get mushy but should be find in this sauce