Pasta is an all-time favorite among kids. In this post, we present you with some delicious pasta recipes for kids. Pasta is basically made from durum wheat flour mixed with water and eggs to make a firm dough. It is known to be a rich source of carbohydrates and a few essential nutrients, all while being low in fat. Sometimes, the pasta is fortified with vital nutrients, such as iron, vitamin-B2, and folate (1). So how many new recipes can you invent every day? Do not fret. Plunge into this post for a list of simple and lip-smacking pasta recipes that you can make for your little ones.
Vegetarian Pasta Recipes For Kids
We believe in the goodness of vegetables. So let’s begin with some of the best preparations of pasta with vegetables.
1. Veggie Alfredo Pasta
Imagine white, creamy pasta… The thought itself makes you go “yummmm” right? So why not just make it and eat it? You will need:
1 package penne pasta (8 ounces) ½ cup grated parmesan cheese 1 package frozen or canned peas (8 ounces) 1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed 3 tablespoons olive oil Salt and pepper, to taste
How to: Preparation time: 10min Cooking time: 15min Servings: 4 Nutritional value: Calories – 383, carbohydrates –50.4g, protein – 15.2g, fat – 14.4g, cholesterol -9mg
2. Roasted Veggie Pasta
Vegetables are more interesting when they are roasted than when they are boiled. Well, at least for kids they are! So, here is a tasty pasta recipe with roasted vegetables. You will need:
1 pack rotini pasta (16 ounces) 1 plum tomato, halved ¾ cup pesto sauce 1 green bell pepper (capsicum) 1 zucchini, diced 1 onion, sliced into ½ inch pieces Salt and pepper to taste 3 tablespoons olive oil
How to: Preparation time: 20min Cooking time: 30min Servings: 10 Nutritional value: Calories –306, carbohydrates –37.2g, protein –9.4g, fat –13.4g, cholesterol -6mg
3. Mexican Pasta
Pasta? Mexican? Yes. This recipe is a Mexican style pasta dish, filled with the goodness of vegetables that your child can benefit from. Want to know how it is made? You will need:
½ pound seashell pasta ¼ cup salsa 2 onions and 1 green bell pepper, chopped 1 can black beans, 1 cup corn kernels 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 can tomatoes, peeled and diced (14.5oz) ¼ cup black olives 1 ½ tablespoons taco mix for seasoning Salt and pepper to taste
How to: Preparation time: 5min Cooking time: 15min Servings: 4 Nutritional value: Calories – 358, carbohydrates –59.5g, protein – 10.3g, fat – 9.4g, cholesterol -0mg
4. Greek Orzo Pasta
Orzo pasta looks like rice but has a distinct taste and texture. It is often used in Arabian dishes and eaten fried or boiled. You will need:
1 ½ cups orzo pasta 1 pound broccoli florets, washed 3 tablespoons pine nuts ¼ cup olive oil ¾ cup feta cheese 1 can ripe olives (2.5oz) ½ cup parmesan cheese ½ teaspoon dried red pepper flakes and ¼ cup fresh basil
How to: Preparation time: 45min Servings: 8 Nutritional value: Calories –245.9, carbohydrates –30.8g, protein –10.8g, fat –9.5g, cholesterol -18mg
Chicken Pasta Recipes For Kids
These pasta recipes are purely for chicken lovers. Here are ways you can include the chicken into a pasta dish and make it more enjoyable.
5. Sesame Pasta Chicken Salad
If you are not in the mood for a chicken curry or casserole, make a healthy pasta salad with chicken in it. It is delicious and refreshing. You will need:
3 cups shredded, cooked chicken breasts 1 pack bow-tie pasta ¼ cup sesame seeds ½ cup vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon sesame oil ½ cup each of rice vinegar and light soy sauce 3 tablespoons sugar, ½ teaspoon ginger powder, ½ teaspoon ground pepper 1/3 cup chopped onion and 1/3 cup fresh cilantro
How to: Preparation time: 20min Cooking time: 10min Servings: 10 Nutritional value: Calories –349, carbohydrates –38.3g, protein – 15.9g, fat –15.2g, cholesterol -24mg
6. Cajun Chicken Pasta
Cajun food is rustic when it comes to taste and is easy to prepare. The Cajun chicken pasta, which makes a good dinner dish, can be made in less than an hour. You will need:
2 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, thinly sliced into strips 4oz linguine pasta 2 tablespoons butter and 1 ½ cups heavy cream ¼ teaspoon each of dried basil, lemon pepper, and salt 2 teaspoons Cajun dressing 1 green bell pepper and ½ a red bell pepper chopped 4 mushrooms, sliced 1 green onion, minced 1/8 teaspoon each of ground black pepper and garlic powder 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese (grated)
How to: Preparation time: 15min Cooking time: 15min Servings: 2 Nutritional value: Calories –1109, carbohydrates –53.7g, protein – 42.7g, fat – 82.2g, cholesterol -348mg
Seafood Pasta Recipes For Kids
If your kids like seafood, here are three pasta recipes you should try at home.
7. Creamy Tomato Tuna Pasta
Tangy pasta made with tomato sauce and tuna, this can be a great meal to have on a Sunday. You will need:
6.75oz packed tuna, preferably in olive oil 14.5oz penne pasta 2/3 cup and ¼ cup of grated parmesan cheese 3 cups tomato soup, made from fresh tomatoes 1 teaspoon anchovy paste ½ cup water 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 1 tablespoon fresh tarragon, minced For seasoning – freshly ground black pepper, salt, dried oregano, red pepper flakes (for garnish)
How to: Preparation time: 15min Cooking time: 15min Servings: 2 Nutritional value: Calories – 1269, carbohydrates –202.3g, protein – 72.4g, fat – 22.1g, cholesterol -62mg
8. Salmon Pasta With Peas
An easy salmon recipe, combined with green peas and Alfredo sauce, this is a great dinner idea. You will need:
5 cups bow-tie pasta 7.5oz salmon, drained and cut into chunks 1 teaspoon each of vegetable oil, dill weed 1 2/3 cups milk 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 2 green onions, chopped 2 garlic cloves, crushed and minced 1 cup frozen peas ½ cup cream cheese (low fat) 2 tablespoons each of parsley, lemon juice, cornstarch Salt and pepper to taste
How to: Preparation time: 20min Servings: 4 Nutritional value: Calories – 697.2, carbohydrates –102.9g, protein – 34.3g, fat – 15.8g, cholesterol -59.7mg
9. Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo
Shrimp in Alfredo sauce is a rich, creamy dish that you can make to impress your little guests. Try this when your teen has friends over for lunch or dinner at home. You will need:
1 pound cooked shrimp 1 pound fettuccine pasta 1 cup half-and-half 4 garlic cloves, peeled 1 tablespoon butter 6 tablespoons parmesan cheese, grated 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped Salt to taste
How to: Preparation time: 20min Cooking time: 20min Servings: 6 Nutritional value: Calories –440, carbohydrates –57.7g, protein –29.2g, fat –10.6g, cholesterol -172mg
Pasta Salad Recipes For Kids
Salads could be boring for children, but when you add some pasta and sauce to a bowl of fresh, colorful vegetables, kids would love to eat.
10. Mushroom Mint Pasta Salad
A cool summer macaroni salad with mint and mushrooms, this pasta dish is a great option for lunch at home. You will need:
1 pack bow-tie pasta (16oz) 8oz button mushrooms 10 sprigs fresh mint 4 onions, sliced ¼ cup olive oil 1-quart cream 1 ½ teaspoons sugar Salt and grounded black pepper for taste
How to: Preparation time: 15min Cooking time: 20min Servings: 12 Nutritional value: Calories –487, carbohydrates –36.4g, protein –8.7g, fat – 34.9g, cholesterol -109mg
11. Salsa Pasta Salad
A tangy dish for summertime, this pasta salad lets you make the sauce from scratch (no bottled ingredients). You will need:
2 cups rainbow pasta 2 tomatoes, diced 1 onion, 1 red bell pepper, and ¼ cup cilantro – chopped 1 can of black olives 1 can of diced green chilies 1 ½ teaspoon garlic salt 1 tablespoon sugar 1 tablespoon chili powder 1/3 cup each of lemon juice and white vinegar ½ cup vegetable oil
How to: Preparation time: 20min Cooking time: 20min Servings: 11 Nutritional value: Calories – 178, carbohydrates –16.3g, protein – 2.7g, fat –12.2 g, cholesterol -0mg
Italian Pasta Recipes For Kids
How can a list of kid-friendly pasta recipes be complete without authentic Italian pasta recipes? So here you go.
12. Spaghetti Carbonara
With only a handful of ingredients, the spaghetti carbonara pasta will be an instant hit with kids. You will need:
14oz spaghetti (1 pack) 5oz cubed guanciale 1 egg, 3 egg yolks ¾ cup Pecorino Romano cheese Salt and pepper to taste
How to: Preparation time: 5min Cooking time: 22min Servings: 4 Nutritional value: Calories – 525, carbohydrates –74.8g, protein – 23.7g, fat – 13.1g, cholesterol -220mg
13. Sweet Italian Sausage with Penne Pasta
This is an easy pasta dish you can whip up quickly when you have a bunch of hungry kids! You will need:
1 pound penne pasta 8oz Italian sausage 1lb broccoli florets 2 tablespoons each of minced garlic, olive oil, and butter ½ cup pecorino romano cheese, grilled
How to: Preparation time: 25min Servings: 4 Nutritional value: Calories –750.6, carbohydrates –100.1g, protein –23.1 g, fat –30.8 g, cholesterol -47.6mg
Pasta Bake Recipes For Kids
Love to bake? Here are some healthy pasta bake recipes you can try for the kids.
14. Three Cheese Bake Pasta
Creamy pasta is all about cheese. So we bring to you the “yummi-licious” three cheese pasta that you and your children will devour! You will need:
1lb raw pasta 1lb beef, grounded 6oz Provolone cheese 6oz mozzarella cheese ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated 1 onion, chopped 1 ½ cups sour cream 6 ½ cups pasta sauce
How to: Preparation time: 20min Cooking time: 1hr Servings: 12 Nutritional value: Calories –463, carbohydrates –42.3g, protein – 22.7g, fat – 22.2g, cholesterol -88mg
15. Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Bake
Pumpkins are all around you during the harvest season. Besides pie, cupcakes and other desserts, you can also make pasta with pumpkin. Here is the recipe. You will need:
300g uncooked bow-tie pasta 500g butternut pumpkin, peeled and cut into small cubes 4 eschalots, peeled and chopped fine 1 tablespoon olive oil 20 grams butter 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves 1 garlic clove, crushed ¾ cup chicken stock 2/3 cup grated mozzarella cheese ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese 300ml light cream
How to: Preparation time: 20min Cooking time: 45min Servings: 4 Nutritional value: Calories – 2762, carbohydrates –66g, protein – 22g, fat – 31g, cholesterol -67mg
