Toddler Friendly Pumpkin Pasta
Delight your little ones with this wholesome and creamy Toddler Friendly Pumpkin Pasta, a recipe crafted specifically for young palates while maintaining a nutritious balance. Featuring tender pasta shells coated in a silky pumpkin puree sauce enriched with whole milk, butter, and a hint of Parmesan cheese, this dish is irresistibly smooth and packed with comforting autumn flavors. A touch of garlic powder and nutmeg adds subtle seasoning without overwhelming sensitive taste buds, making it the perfect introduction to savory meals for toddlers. Ready in under 30 minutes, this quick and easy meal suits busy parents while ensuring your children enjoy a delicious, nutrient-rich dinner. Pair it with simple steamed veggies or shredded chicken to round it out for the whole family.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 200 grams Pasta (small shapes like shells or macaroni)
- 200 grams Pumpkin puree (unsweetened)
- 120 milliliters Whole milk
- 1 tablespoon Unsalted butter
- 30 grams Grated Parmesan cheese
- 0.25 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 pinch Ground nutmeg
- Salt (optional, for adult seasoning)
- Black pepper (optional, for adult seasoning)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until soft enough for toddlers to chew easily, typically 1-2 minutes beyond al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
In a medium saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over low heat. Add the pumpkin puree and stir well to combine.
Slowly pour in the whole milk, stirring constantly to create a creamy sauce.
Add the garlic powder and a pinch of ground nutmeg for flavor. Stir to combine. If making the dish for adults as well, you can add a small pinch of salt and black pepper at this stage.
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth. If the sauce seems too thick, you can add 1-2 tablespoons of water or milk to thin it out.
Add the cooked pasta to the saucepan and stir gently to coat each piece in the pumpkin sauce.
Remove the pasta from heat and allow it to cool slightly before serving to toddlers to avoid burns.
Serve warm as-is or alongside steamed vegetables or a protein like shredded chicken for a more complete meal.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
701 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 27.7 g | 36% | |
| Saturated Fat | 15.7 g | 78% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 76 mg | 25% | |
| Sodium | 957 mg | 42% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 88.8 g | 32% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 9.0 g | 32% | |
| Total Sugars | 14.7 g | ||
| Protein | 30.9 g | 62% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.4 mcg | 7% | |
| Calcium | 567 mg | 44% | |
| Iron | 3.9 mg | 22% | |
| Potassium | 1125 mg | 24% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
