Pasta is that ingredient that does not usually fail in infant feeding. There are different ways to cook pasta and among them are the ones that we offer below: easy, nutritious and fun. Not all children are enthusiastic about food. For many mothers and fathers, it is a real headache when feeding their children.
However, no matter how old they are, there are certain foods that everyone likes. You can take advantage of that to get them to eat with appetite and get good nutrition.
One of those foods is pasta in any of its presentations: spaghetti, small balls, cannelloni, macaroni, noodles, etc. Taking advantage of how tasty it is, here are some recipes with pasta for children that will undoubtedly be attractive for them.
Different ways to cook pasta?
There are different types of pasta depending on its texture. It’s time to apply these little tips by making fun recipes with pasta for children:
Sausage pasta
Ingredients:
- Sausages cut into pieces about 3 cm long
- Spaghetti
- Optional: some type of sauce and vegetables such as carrots, peppers and peas
Preparation:
Pass the pieces of sausage with as many spaghetti sticks as possible, so that they protrude on both sides.
Cook until the spaghetti is cooked, without overdoing, taking into account that sausages usually require less cooking time.
Strain and serve. They can be offered alone and optionally include pieces of vegetables of different colors and some type of sauce.
Tricolor pasta
Ingredients:
- Short or long pasta
- Pesto sauce
- White sauce
- Neapolitan or Bolognese sauce
- Grated cheese for pasta
Preparation:
Cook the pasta according to the manufacturer’s instructions in the package. Separate three small portions and stir each one with one of the sauces, so that they take their color. Serve side by side and pour salsa and grated cheese.
Another less laborious option that does not require having three sauces is to prepare pasta that comes in three colors. In this way, we only add a type of sauce on top and grated cheese. It is possible to make different pasta recipes for children.
Pasta pancakes
Ingredients:
- Freshly cooked pasta or from the previous day
- 1 egg
- ½ cup of liquid milk
- 4 tablespoons of wheat flour
- 2 tablespoons of sugar
- 1 trickle of vanilla
- Frying oil
Preparation:
Prepare a mixture by mixing the egg, sugar, milk, vanilla and flour until a creamy mixture is obtained. Add the paste and stir so that it is well soaked. Fry portions of this preparation until golden pancakes are left. Place on blotting paper and immediately sprinkle sugar. These pasta pancakes are ideal for a snack or as an outline of another menu.
Pasta with tempura
Ingredients:
- Short or long pasta
- Different types of breaded and fried meat (veal, chicken , fish, seafood)
- Battered and fried vegetables (celery, broccoli, spinach, peppers or any other)
- Olive oil
- Parsley finely chopped
Preparation:
Cook the pasta, strain and add a little olive oil. Meats and vegetables fried and fried should be spread on top. Sprinkle the parsley and serve immediately. These suggestions pasta recipes for children can be accompanied by juices natural fruit with little sugar.
Tips to stimulate reluctant children to eat: recipes with pasta
There are some tips to make any menu for children successful. These have the utility of reinforcing the taste for food, since in the future the child will associate the act of eating with pleasant experiences:
1.- Colors
You already know how striking are the colors for any children’s activity, and also in food. Well, this can be exploited by including on the plate foods of varied colors that make it look like a harmonious composition.
2.- Textures
Including various textures will make food a multi-sensory experience for children. When the crispy, creamy, dry, liquid and grainy combine, there is no possible boredom.
3.- Figures
It is an excellent option to draw pictures with parts of the food, since children live constantly creating and recreating fantasy worlds where figures and characters of all kinds come to light. Let’s not forget that food comes first through the eyes.
4.- Activities
The previous tricks to make food attractive and fun can be complemented with games taking advantage of the great thirst of learning for children.
Depending on the age of the child, it is possible to review their knowledge of numbers, colors, riddles or make challenges about food through stories, songs and mimics. The limit is established by the creativity of each one.
