A simple yet rich meal with all the healthy ingredients – this kids broccoli pasta recipe makes mealtime fun for families. And guess what it only takes 15 minutes to make this recipe.
Table of Contents
- Italian Broccoli Pasta Recipe for Kids
- Ingredients to make Kids Broccoli Pasta Recipe
- Instructions to make this healthy pasta recipes for kids
Italian Broccoli Pasta Recipe for Kids
Pasta night is always a hit when it comes to kids or family meals. This creamy broccoli pasta is filled with healthy and organic ingredients and all favourite veggies in it.
I pre-cook pasta and steam veggies together in the instant pot which makes it super quick and simplifies cooking time. And guess what it’s less messy to clean up too. Making the creamier sauce and tossing veggies and pasta in it is all you need to do.
I make the rich creamier sauce by using butter, cheese and a pinch of whole wheat flour. And my toddler loves the combination. It in fact tastes better than the ready store-bought pasta sauce.
Ingredients to make Kids Broccoli Pasta Recipe
All you need to make this delicious family meal are:
- Pasta – I prefer using whole wheat organic pasta. Barilla is my go to brand for pasta.
- Broccoli Florets – I mostly use fresh broccoli. But you can also choose to use frozen broccoli if you prefer.
- Garlic – You can choose to use raw fresh garlic or garlic powder.
- Butter – To give rich flavor to the pasta. I use butter instead of olive oil at times as my kids love it.
- Whole wheat flour – A pinch of whole wheat flour helps with thickening the sauce to get creamier texture.
- Cheddar cheese – A cup full of cheddar cheese adds a rich taste and a creamier texture. You can choose to use dairy-free vegan cheese as an alternative.
- Cream – A couple spoons of cream gives a great taste and creaminess. This is totally an optional ingredient.
- Oregano – Optional but gives a great flavor when used.
- Pepper
- Salt
Alternate ingredients that can be used (Including Vegan & allergen-free)
I love to add extra veggies to my kid’s pasta recipe. It just gives me extra satisfaction. Some veggies you can add for this recipe are:
- Carrots, spinach, mushrooms, corn, tomatoes, bell peppers & onions.
If your baby or toddler rejects broccoli, you can try a broccoli spinach pesto version of this pasta & I have received a great response from mine.
You can use olive oil in place of butter that gives a different taste to this recipe.
Whole wheat flour can be replaced with all-purpose flour.
What kind of pasta can be used?
Well, you can use any kind of pasta. I personally prefer organic and whole wheat but depending on allergens you choose to use gluten-free as well (make sure to add vegetable stock to the sauce if you are using gluten-free as it does not leave pasta water).
Can I make it dairy-free?
Absolutely! You can choose organic dairy-free vegan cheese and a vegan chickpea-based dairy-free pasta that is available on the market. I have tried this dairy-free pasta when my baby was dairy intolerant and I could not make out any difference between the dairy-free and regular pasta.
Instructions to make this healthy pasta recipes for kids
- Pressure cook pasta in the instant pot for 3 minutes with 1: 1 pasta & water ratio.
- If using other vegetables, steam them for a few minutes in instant pot.
- To prepare the sauce, add a spoon of butter to a pan and saute a pinch of flour for 30 seconds.
- Add grated garlic or garlic powder and the steamed veggies and saute for couple minutes until mixed.
- Add cream, cheese and pasta water to make the creamy sauce. Let it cook well.
- Toss in pasta, salt,oregano and pepper.
- Broccoli pasta is now ready to be served for your family.
Other easy pasta recipes for kids
Try these healthy and easy kid friendly pasta recipes;
- Creamy Spinach Pasta – A healthy pasta recipes kids which is rich in iron and delicious option for a family meal.
- Tomato basil pasta – A classic simple pasta recipes kids that is tasty and loved by kids.
- Rainbow pasta salad – A versatile pasta recipe loaded with vegetables is the best recipe to try with picky eaters.
- Avocado Pasta recipe – A healthy pasta recipe that is a favorite of babies and toddlers loaded with all the goodness.
Kids Broccoli Pasta Recipe
Equipment
- Instant pot optional
Ingredients
- 250 grams Pasta
- 10-15 Broccoli Florets
- 1 tbsp Garlic/ Garlic powder
- 1/2 stick Butter
- 1 pinch Whole wheat flour
- 1 cup Cheddar cheese/ dairy-free vegan cheese
- 1 tbsp Cream (optional)
- 1 tbsp Oregano (optional)
- 1 tbsp Pepper
- 1 tbsp Salt
Instructions
- Pressure cook pasta in the instant pot for 3 minutes with 1: 1 pasta & water ratio. Or as per the instructions given behind the pasta box.
- If using other vegetables, steam them for a few minutes in instant pot. I
- To prepare the sauce, add butter to the pan and saute a pinch of flour for 30 seconds.
- Add grated garlic or garlic powder and the steamed veggies and saute for couple minutes until mixed.
- Add cream, cheese and pasta water to make the creamy sauce. Let it cook well.
- Toss in pasta, salt,oregano and pepper.
- Broccoli pasta is now ready to be served for your family.
Notes
- Some veggies you can add to this recipe are carrots, spinach, mushrooms, corn, tomatoes, bell peppers & onions.
- If your baby or toddler rejects broccoli, you can try a broccoli spinach pesto version of this pasta & I have received a great response from mine.
- You can use olive oil in place of butter that gives a different taste to this recipe.
- Whole wheat flour can be replaced with all-purpose flour.
- What kind of pasta can be used? Well, you can use any kind of pasta. I personally prefer organic and whole wheat but depending on allergens you choose to use gluten-free as well (make sure to add vegetable stock to the sauce if you are using gluten-free as it does not leave pasta water).
- Can I make it dairy-free? Absolutely! You can choose organic dairy-free vegan cheese and a vegan chickpea-based dairy-free pasta that is available on the market. I have tried this dairy-free pasta when my baby was dairy intolerant and I could not make out any difference between the dairy-free and regular pasta.
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