Toddler recipe · 12–36 months

Hidden Veggie Pasta Sauce for Toddlers

Name: Hidden Veggie Pasta Sauce for Toddlers
Total time: 35 min
Yield: about 4 cups sauce
Ingredients: 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 small onion, chopped; 1 carrot, grated; 1 small zucchini, grated; ½ red bell pepper, chopped; ¼ cup red lentils, rinsed; 1 can (28 oz) no-salt-added crushed tomatoes; ½ cup water; 1 tsp dried oregano or basil

A smooth, mild tomato sauce with carrot, zucchini, red pepper and red lentils blended in. Picky eaters see red sauce; you know what's inside.

child_care12 mo+schedule35 minrestaurantabout 4 cups sauceback_handFork or spoon

verifiedReviewed by our dietitians · AAP, CDC, NIAID & NHS guidance

Bite10012 mo+recipe

Ingredients

Makes about 4 cups sauce

1 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
1 carrot, grated
1 small zucchini, grated
½ red bell pepper, chopped
¼ cup red lentils, rinsed
1 can (28 oz) no-salt-added crushed tomatoes
½ cup water
1 tsp dried oregano or basil

Foods in this recipe

Tomato Carrot Zucchini Bell pepper Red lentils

Find it in these collections

Toddler lunch ideas Meals for picky eaters

Method

1
Warm the oil in a pan and cook the onion, carrot, zucchini and pepper over medium-low heat for 8 minutes, until soft.
2
Add the lentils, tomatoes, water and herbs. Simmer, partly covered, for 25–30 minutes, stirring often and adding a splash of water if it gets thick, until the lentils have completely broken down.
3
Blend until completely smooth.
4
Toss with pasta, or cool and freeze in portions.

Toddler plate & family plate

Toddler plate

½ cup soft pasta tossed in ¼ cup sauce, with grated cheese on top if your toddler likes it.

Family plate

Season the adult portion with salt, chili flakes and Parmesan at the table.

health_and_safetyAllergens

None of the top 9 allergens. Pasta and cheese toppings add wheat and milk.

sync_altSwaps

swap_horizSwap the lentils for cooked white beans, blended in at the end.
swap_horizAdd a handful of spinach for the last 2 minutes before blending.

kitchenStorage

Fridge 3 days. Freeze in portions up to 3 months. Reheat until steaming, then cool before serving.

Safety reminders

Cut round foods (grapes, cherry tomatoes, blueberries) into quarters for children under 4.
Keep toddlers seated while eating.
Serve nut butters thinly spread, never as whole nuts.
This recipe is general guidance for healthy, full-term babies and children. Ask your pediatrician first if your child was born early, has a medical condition, allergies or feeding difficulties (medical disclaimer).

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