By Courtney 50 Comments
Healthy toddler meals can still taste delicious! This pasta recipe incorporates the cheese your toddler will love, along with the veggies you can feel good about!
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Over the past month or so, Lucas has definitely gotten to be much more picky when it comes to what he eats. Where we used to be able to put basically anything on a tray in front of him, he’s now begun to show his preferences which, mind you, can change from one day to the next. So trying to find healthy toddler meals that he will actually enjoy has become a bit of a challenge.
But recently, thanks to my friend Kanika, I was turned on to a recipe that has proven to be a winner in our kitchen every single time I serve it.
I can put together a batch of this in about 15-20 minutes and it’ll last us for the entire week.
I love how it’s not only ridiculously easy to make, but it also provides some extra greens that Lucas is typically no longer interested in.
Hey…however we can sneak ‘em in there, right? That’s what healthy toddler meals are about in this house. ;)
Toddler Meal: Easy Cheesy Spinach Pasta
Sweet Tooth, Sweet Life
Toddlers and adults will both love the cheesy deliciousness of this meal, but adults will love that you're sneaking in some veggies in the process!
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 15 minutes mins
Course Dinner, lunch, toddler meal
Ingredients
- 2 big handfuls fresh spinach
- 1 cup uncooked mini pasta such as ditalini
- 1/2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp milk
- 2 tbsp cream cheese
- 4 tbsp parmesan cheese grated
Instructions
Cook the pasta according to directions.
Melt the butter in a small frying pan and sauté the spinach until just wilted.
Combine the spinach with the milk and cheeses and chop finely in a food processor.
Mix with the cooked pasta. Serve and enjoy!
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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About Courtney
I'm a working mom of two beautiful little boys, Lucas and Alex, and I began writing Sweet Tooth, Sweet Life in April 2010. I enjoy chronicling my love of food (healthy and indulgent!), baking, motherhood, fitness, fashion, and everything in between!
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Comments
Bri saysI love this recipe,, thank you! Like Lucas, my almost 14 month old has definitely gotten pickier over the last couple months. So anything cheesy with a hint of green should (hopefully) do the trick!!!
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Toddler meal? I want to make this for myself!
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- Beks says
Sounds easy and tasty! I have no kiddos, but I’m crazy about pasta. :-)
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that last pic of lucas is too cute!! it looks like he’s saying, “awww, mom, i’m STUFFED!” adorable!
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- Alysia @ Slim Sanity says
That looks like something I might even like! ;)
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Lucas is so adorable! Love the pics.
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Kids are so messy. ahahaha Love it! It’s nice you’re getting him to eat his greens.
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- Mindy says
I’ll have to try this! My 14 month old is an awesome eater but for some reason does not like pasta filled with or mixed with any cheese. He loves cheese on its own though! Great way to sneak in some spinach!
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- Monica says
That sounds like a great recipe! My little one has lost interest in greens, too! Thanks for the recipe!
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- Jae says
I just might do this for myself! It does sound like a yummy recipe!
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- Sara says
I’m gonna try this pronto
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- Marcie says
Love this! Made this for my little guy this weekend and he loved it. Thanks!
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- Leighanne says
Thanks for the recipe. I just made this for my daughter and she loved it. I added some sautéed mushrooms at the end because I had them on hand and she loved them. Will definitely be making this again, probably as a side dish for our own dinner.
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- Brianne says
I just made this for my son’s dinner and am now re-making it because I may have eaten it all for lunch! Delicious and couldn’t be any easier!
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- Laura says
My almost 1yr old just loves this pasta, couldn’t see to get enough of it :) and I like how easy it is!
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- Courtney says
Awesome! Thanks for the feedback, Laura. So glad it was a hit!
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- Jenny says
Looks great! Does this recipe freeze well?
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- Courtney says
Thanks! I’ve actually never tried (it always goes too quick, haha!) but I’d say it’s worth a shot?! If you do, let me know!
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- Laura Muller says
I make a double batch and freeze in small Tupperware’s for my nanny to give during the week. Freezes perfectly!!
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- H says
Thanks for this. I’m looking to batch make it tomorrow to freeze!
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- tierza cacao says
totally looking forward to making this for my son. was wondering though, would it be possible to substitute anything for else for cream cheese? i dont have any on hand and dont really want to make a trip to the city.
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- Courtney says
Hmmm….I have used The Laughing Cow cheese wedges in place of cream cheese, but that’s the only substitute I’ve made. I’m sure any sort of creamy cheese (like goat cheese, too) would work. Good luck!
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- kate says
What’s an alternative to Parmesan cheese that could work just as well??? Thanks!
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- Courtney says
I’m sure shredded cheese could work in a pinch?!
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- Kim says
Can you freeze this?
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- Courtney says
I’ve actually never tried?! If you wind up doing it, let me know how it turns out!
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- Laura Muller says
I make a double batch and freeze in small Tupperware’s for my nanny to give during the week. Freezes perfectly!!
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- Chantal says
Just made this for my picky anti green eating 2 yo. Didn’t have spinach on hand but substituted with baby kale and it was still very tasty. I enjoyed eating some, too. Thanks for saving us!
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- Carrie Ann says
I give compliments when deserved! I posted your recipe on my personal Facebook, and 2 foodie Facebook groups I’m in. When a “toddler” recipe tastes better than an adult meal that’s a win in my book! So simple, yet so delicious! Will be a new lunch staple at our home (and dinner when I’m in a hurry!) great recipe, I made a huge batch! thank you for sharing.
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- Leah says
This recipe was great! My little one devoured it. I found the sauce a tad runny so I might use a little less milk next time, but overall super quick, easy and picky 16 month old approved!
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- Les says
This pasta was awesome! I added a little salt and pepper – then blended a few fresh basil leaves with the spinach mixture. Can’t wait for my little to try it today!
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- Gina Simpson says
Hi! Would this be ok in the freezer if I wanted to double the recipe? Thank you!
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- Courtney says
I’ve actually never tried freezing it, but I feel like it probably wouldn’t freeze the greatest. Then again, it’s always worth a shot to try freezing maybe a small batch to see how it works?
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- Laura Muller says
I make a double batch and freeze in small Tupperware’s for my nanny to give during the week. Freezes perfectly!!
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- Sheri says
I added half an avocado to this to make it even healthier for my 15 month old who doesnt eat a ton of food. She devoured it!
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- Courtney says
That’s an awesome idea, Sheri! Thanks for sharing!
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- Sindhura says
My 2 year old wiped her plate clean. Easy to make. I didn’t have cream cheese on hand, so skipped it and added a little bit of extra parmesan. Added a little garlic salt to the spinach for flavor. Tasted good enough for an adult dinner!
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- Abbey says
I just wanted to say a quick “Thank you!” for such a wonderful recipe. My 16 month old absolutely loves it, and I’ve made it consistently for her, after finding it on Pinterest, since she was around 11 months. We’ve found were can hide whole wheat noodles, within, without her noticing as well.
Thanks again.Reply
- Courtney says
Thank you so much for sharing, Abbey! So glad it’s been a hit!
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- Debra says
Thanks for this delicious and super easy recipe! My 15 month old will finally eat pasta!
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- Courtney says
I’m so glad!! Thank you for sharing, Debra!
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- Sara D. says
If you didn’t already know, this recipe is quite a hit with the Facebook group Hungry Toddlers – Meal Ideas (Instagram: hungrytoddlers)! Members posted about how it’s an absolute hit with their kiddos (mine included), so thank you so much for this awesome dish!
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- Laura Muller says
This has been a miracle dish for both my picky 12 month old and 23 month old!! Many thanks!! We make it all the time and it freezes well.
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- Shannon says
Hi! I came across this from the mini turkey apple meatballs page and am excited to try both! Toddlers are so hard to feed sometimes! Do you use freshly grated Parmesan cheese or, for example, Kraft grated parm?
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- Courtney says
Hi Shannon! I’ve done both – fresh is always delicious, but out of convenience, we usually just have the grated parm from a jar :)
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- Melissa says
I just wanted to say that I first made this recipe when my daughter was one. She loved it. It became her favorite meal and she named it green Mac and cheese. She is now 7 and begs me to make it for her. So, thank you for this amazing recipe.
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- Jess says
I just made this recipe for the second time since last week and once again my picky 23 month old son has eaten it all by himself with no complaints! When I first made it I was worried he wouldn’t eat it because of the tiny spinach pieces, but to my surprise he gobbled it up! I will definitely keep this recipe for future meals. Thanks so much for sharing this great recipe!
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- Emilie Quiros says
This is absolutely delicious! Taste just like a great Alfredo only with spinach mixed in and I loved it and so did my 1.5 year old. Thank you!
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- Crystal says
Delicious! Made for my 9 month old for a quick lunch. I used cottage cheese instead of cream cheese and substituted water for the milk. She loved it with her pasta & I loved it too! Glad I made a double batch so I can freeze some too. Glad I found this recipe!!Reply
- Francine Chenier says
Easy, fast, nutritious and delicious. I usually add any leftover meat. Enjoyed by all the kids at my daycare.Reply
