If you're a parent, you know how hard it can be to find meals that your child will actually enjoy. Picky eaters can make dinner time a real challenge. But fear not, because pasta is a versatile and delicious ingredient that even the fussiest eaters can enjoy. Here are some pasta recipes for kids that are sure to please.
Mac and cheese is a classic kid-friendly dish, but it's not exactly the healthiest option. But what if you could sneak some veggies in there? This recipe does just that. Cook up some macaroni and set it aside. In a separate pan, sauté some finely chopped broccoli and cauliflower until they're soft. Add in some grated cheddar cheese and a splash of milk to make a sauce. Combine the veggies and sauce with the macaroni, and you've got a delicious and nutritious meal that your child won't even realize is good for them.
Spaghetti and meatballs is a classic Italian dish that most kids love. To make it even more appealing to picky eaters, make your own meatballs and sneak in some grated zucchini. The zucchini adds moisture to the meatballs and makes them more tender. Serve with a simple tomato sauce and some grated Parmesan cheese, and your child will be asking for seconds.
Alfredo sauce is a rich and creamy pasta sauce that many kids love. To make it a bit healthier, add some peas for a pop of color and some extra nutrition. Cook up some chicken breast and cut it into bite-sized pieces. In a separate pan, make the Alfredo sauce by combining cream, butter, and grated Parmesan cheese. Add in the cooked chicken and peas and serve over your child's favorite pasta.
Pesto is a flavorful sauce made from basil, garlic, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese. It's a great way to introduce new flavors to your child's palate. Roasting vegetables is an easy way to make them more appealing to picky eaters. Cut up some zucchini, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes and roast them in the oven with a bit of olive oil and salt. Cook up some pasta and toss it with the pesto and roasted veggies. Your child will love the bright colors and delicious flavors.
Lasagna is a bit more time-consuming to make, but it's a great option for feeding a crowd or making leftovers for the week. Layer cooked lasagna noodles with a mixture of ricotta cheese, spinach, and grated Parmesan cheese. Add a layer of cooked ground beef or turkey and some tomato sauce. Repeat the layers until you've used up all your ingredients. Top with mozzarella cheese and bake in the oven until bubbly and golden brown. Your child will love the cheesy goodness.
In conclusion, pasta is a great option for feeding picky eaters. With these delicious and nutritious pasta recipes, your child is sure to find something they love.
1. Mac and Cheese with Hidden Veggies
Mac and cheese is a classic kid-friendly dish, but it's not exactly the healthiest option. But what if you could sneak some veggies in there? This recipe does just that. Cook up some macaroni and set it aside. In a separate pan, sauté some finely chopped broccoli and cauliflower until they're soft. Add in some grated cheddar cheese and a splash of milk to make a sauce. Combine the veggies and sauce with the macaroni, and you've got a delicious and nutritious meal that your child won't even realize is good for them.
2. Spaghetti and Meatballs
Spaghetti and meatballs is a classic Italian dish that most kids love. To make it even more appealing to picky eaters, make your own meatballs and sneak in some grated zucchini. The zucchini adds moisture to the meatballs and makes them more tender. Serve with a simple tomato sauce and some grated Parmesan cheese, and your child will be asking for seconds.
3. Chicken Alfredo with Peas
Alfredo sauce is a rich and creamy pasta sauce that many kids love. To make it a bit healthier, add some peas for a pop of color and some extra nutrition. Cook up some chicken breast and cut it into bite-sized pieces. In a separate pan, make the Alfredo sauce by combining cream, butter, and grated Parmesan cheese. Add in the cooked chicken and peas and serve over your child's favorite pasta.
4. Pesto Pasta with Roasted Vegetables
Pesto is a flavorful sauce made from basil, garlic, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese. It's a great way to introduce new flavors to your child's palate. Roasting vegetables is an easy way to make them more appealing to picky eaters. Cut up some zucchini, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes and roast them in the oven with a bit of olive oil and salt. Cook up some pasta and toss it with the pesto and roasted veggies. Your child will love the bright colors and delicious flavors.
5. Lasagna
Lasagna is a bit more time-consuming to make, but it's a great option for feeding a crowd or making leftovers for the week. Layer cooked lasagna noodles with a mixture of ricotta cheese, spinach, and grated Parmesan cheese. Add a layer of cooked ground beef or turkey and some tomato sauce. Repeat the layers until you've used up all your ingredients. Top with mozzarella cheese and bake in the oven until bubbly and golden brown. Your child will love the cheesy goodness.
In conclusion, pasta is a great option for feeding picky eaters. With these delicious and nutritious pasta recipes, your child is sure to find something they love.
