Pasta with cheese

Cheese and yogurt pasta recipe for little ones (8-10 months)

Preparation time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Total time: 20 minutes
Servings: 2

In our culinary journey, today we focus on a simple and healthy recipe, perfect for diversifying the diet of little ones. This cheese and yogurt pasta recipe is not only nutritious but also full of flavor, easy to prepare, and adaptable to your child's needs. Pasta is a versatile food that can be combined with various ingredients to create delicious and healthy meals.

A brief history of the recipe

Pasta has a long history, with deep roots in culinary culture. Over time, it has been adapted based on local ingredients and culinary traditions. In this recipe, we focus on a simplified version, perfect for babies, that will surely please the little ones.

Ingredients

- 30 g small pasta (star-shaped, spiral, or any other small shapes suitable for babies)
- 200 ml vegetable broth (preferably homemade, without additives)
- 2 teaspoons of unsalted cottage cheese
- 1 teaspoon of natural yogurt (without additives)
- 1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil

Preparation technique

1. Boil the broth: In a small pot, bring the vegetable broth to a boil over medium heat. Make sure the broth is well strained from any vegetables or spices that might be too strong for little ones.

2. Add the pasta: Once the broth is boiling, add the pasta. Cook for about 12 minutes or according to the package instructions, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

3. Drain the pasta: After 12 minutes, remove the pot from heat and drain the pasta using a sieve. Rinse under cold running water to stop the cooking process and remove excess starch. This will help maintain the delicate texture of the pasta, essential for babies.

4. Add the oil: Place the pasta in a bowl and add the olive oil. Mix well to coat evenly. Olive oil not only adds a pleasant taste but is also a good source of healthy fats, essential for your little one's brain development.

5. Prepare the cheese mixture: In another bowl, mix the cottage cheese with the natural yogurt. This mixture will add a creamy and delicious note to the dish. You can use a fork to mash the cheese, ensuring there are no large chunks left.

6. Finalization: Add the cheese and yogurt mixture over the pasta and mix well. Make sure each piece of pasta is evenly coated with this mixture to achieve a pleasant texture for the little ones.

7. Serving: Serve the pasta with cheese and yogurt immediately. You can also add half a boiled and mashed yolk, along with the vegetables from the broth (carrot, celery, or zucchini), to enrich the flavor and nutritional value of the meal.

Practical tips:

- Choosing the pasta: Choose small pasta specially designed for babies. Fun shapes, such as stars or spirals, will surely attract them.
- Vegetable broth: Making vegetable broth at home is ideal, as you can control the ingredients and avoid salt and preservatives. Use fresh vegetables and boil them for 30-40 minutes, then strain the broth.
- Cheese: Make sure the cottage cheese is unsalted to avoid risks associated with salt consumption at a young age.
- Vegetable option: You can enrich the recipe with pureed cooked vegetables (carrot, broccoli, or zucchini) to create an even more nutritious dish.

Nutritional benefits

This recipe offers an excellent combination of carbohydrates from pasta, proteins from cheese and yogurt, and healthy fats from olive oil. These contribute to your child's healthy development, providing the necessary energy to explore the world around them.

Frequently asked questions

1. Can I use whole grain pasta? Yes, whole grain pasta is an excellent option as it is richer in fiber.
2. What vegetables can I add to the broth? Carrot, zucchini, and celery are excellent choices, very nutritious and with a pleasant taste.
3. How often can I offer this recipe to my child? This recipe can be offered a few times a week, varying the ingredients to maintain diversity.

Suitable combinations

This cheese and yogurt pasta recipe pairs perfectly with a seasonal fruit puree or a banana smoothie, providing a sweet and healthy dessert after the meal. Additionally, a cup of water or diluted fruit tea can be an excellent choice for hydration.

In conclusion, this simple and quick recipe is not only a way to diversify your child's diet but also an opportunity to spend time together in the kitchen, exploring new flavors and combinations. Every meal becomes a delicious adventure, and developing healthy tastes begins as early as the first months of life!