Pasta in Green Sauce, YES please!
I love veggie-loading pasta sauces (hello sweet potato sauce, hidden veggie sauce, and butternut squash sauce) because it’s such an easy and delicious way to get more veggies into my children’s diets that they may not otherwise eat. Spinach (and other leafy greens) in its raw form is a challenging food for my 5 year old, especially. But he doesn’t mind it in spinach pancakes, hulk muffins, and green smoothies. And now this green pasta, or hulk pasta, as my kids like to call it. During Halloween time, I like to call it monster pasta (it’s the little things). And it can be enjoyed both cold (like pasta salad) or warm. My kids love it in their school lunch boxes.
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 a great BLW first foods too! Parmesan cheese 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.
Choosing the Best Pasta
While any pasta shape will work with this sauce, I prefer the short pasta shapes with ridges or grooves, like fusili, 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.
Variations
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 basil or other fresh herbs of choice for an additional burst of freshness. You can also add more lemon zest. If dairy-free, use vegan parmesan or nutritional yeast.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Serving Suggestions
To round out the meal, enjoy this green pasta with some protein, such as tofu, chicken, or salmon. 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.
For babies
Start with just a small amount so they don’t feel overwhelmed and offer more if your baby seems interested. This will also help reduce food waste. Here I served the pasta with a steam roasted carrot strip and mashed white beans.
For toddlers
This phase of feeding is oftentimes the most challenging as there are so many developmental changes that take place, like seeking independence, testing boundaries, and developing fear of new foods (food neophobia peaks between the ages of 2-6). And it’s not uncommon for toddlers and kids to reject anything green. If that’s your child, try serving as pictured – a very small portion of green pasta alongside plain pasta. Since kids generally love to dip, serving a small portion of the sauce by itself can also encourage them to give it a taste. As hard as it may be, don’t get discouraged if they only eat the plain pasta. Just seeing counts as exposure, and the more they see and become familiar, the more likely they are to try in the future.
Storage Suggestions
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 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!
