When I need to make a quick, healthy meal, I love to make this easy vegan recipe for toddlers. What I love about this recipe is that it’s a quick (10 minute) chickpea and lentil pasta and veggie meal. What’s more, my toddler absolutely loves this dish!
Chickpea/Lentil and other Alternative Pastas
I prefer chickpea and/or lentil pasta over the white pasta I grew up. Chickpeas and lentils are seeds of legumes. The run of the mill white pasta we all know and (some people) love doesn’t compare in nutritional value. Furthermore, Chickpea and lentil pastas are a much better alternative to regular pasta. Furthermore, chickpeas and lentils are excellent sources of protein, fiber and vitamins and minerals such as folate, iron and potassium.
Disclaimer: My mom (who loves her spaghetti) will complain that lentil and/or chickpea pasta doesn’t quite have the texture that she’s used to. Nonetheless, I, for one, don’t mind the difference. Still, to each their own.
However, I should also note that children/toddlers don’t have the capacity to compare pastas as their experiences are limited. Toddlers and/or kids love pasta for their fun shapes and the chewy texture. Therefore, they will accept any pasta you give them as “normal” pasta because to them, it is!
How to Make Easy Vegan Pasta Recipe for Toddlers
Ingredients:
(Makes 2 Toddler Size Servings)
- 1 Cup of Lentil and/or Chickpea Pasta (or pasta of your choice)
- 3/4 Cup of Frozen Vegetables
- Enough filtered water to fill up a sauce pan
- 1/3 cup to 1/2 cup of pasta sauce
- Cups of bone broth instead of filter water (optional)
Optional:
- Parmesan cheese for topping
- Fresh tomatoes (diced)
- Shredded lettuce
- Shredded carrots
- Vegetable of your choice
Directions:
Step 1:
Fill a small sauce pan with filtered water and turn the stovetop temperature to High.
Cover the top of the saucepan. (Covering will help the water boil faster). Also, using a smaller sauce pan will help the water to boil faster.
Salt the water and bring water to a boil.
Optional: Instead of water, I sometimes use bone broth in order to add more nutrients to the dish.
Step 2:
Read the instructions on your pasta box and the bag of frozen vegetables in terms of TIME. My box said the pasta will take 8 minutes to cook. The frozen vegetables will take 4 minutes to boil.
Step 3:
Add and boil the pasta and set the kitchen timer for 4 minutes.
Step 4:
After 4 minutes add the cup of frozen vegetables and cook both together for an additional 4 minutes.
Step 5:
Drain the pasta/veggie combo.
Step 6:
Add the amount of sauce you would like and mix. Also, add any other vegetable your child enjoys.
Step 7:
Finally, sprinkle parmesan or other cheese on top and serve!
What I Really Love and Appreciate About this Recipe
Besides how healthy it is and how fast it is to make, I love the fact that the shelf life of pasta, pasta sauce and frozen veggies are very long. Therefore, I literally always have these ingredients on hand. Above all, the fact that my baby loves it and (usually) finishes it is always a plus!
Also, by adding any kind of veggies I have on hand (such as fresh tomatoes or shredded lettuce) I help to increase my baby’s vegetable intake. Also, adding sautéed veggies such as garlic and onions and mushrooms is a nice bonus. Indeed, I’m a big advocate for getting your kids used to eating veggies and fruits as young as possible.
Generally, my baby loves peas and I am so happy about that! Because peas are an excellent source of protein (ever heard of pea protein powder) and can literally be a substitute for meat protein. Furthermore, I also love mixed frozen vegetables as they are colorful and also add a good mix of different types of vegetables.
The latest studies confirm that frozen vegetables have the same nutritional content as fresh veggies (if not more!). Above all, I hate when my fresh veggies go bad on me, so I try to stock up on frozen when I can!
Finally, as always…Remember 2 Savor!
