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Toddler Meal: Easy Cheesy Spinach Pasta

By Courtney 51 Comments

Healthy toddler meals can still taste delicious! This pasta recipe incorporates the cheese your toddler will love, along with the veggies you can feel good about!

************

Over the past month or so, Lucas has definitely gotten to be much more picky when it comes to what he eats. Where we used to be able to put basically anything on a tray in front of him, he’s now begun to show his preferences which, mind you, can change from one day to the next. So trying to find healthy toddler meals that he will actually enjoy has become a bit of a challenge.

But recently, thanks to my friend Kanika, I was turned on to a recipe that has proven to be a winner in our kitchen every single time I serve it.

easy cheesy spinach pasta

I can put together a batch of this in about 15-20 minutes and it’ll last us for the entire week.

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I love how it’s not only ridiculously easy to make, but it also provides some extra greens that Lucas is typically no longer interested in.

IMG_7889

Hey…however we can sneak ‘em in there, right? That’s what healthy toddler meals are about in this house. 😉

IMG_7875

Sweet Tooth, Sweet Life

Toddler Meal: Easy Cheesy Spinach Pasta

Toddlers and adults will both love the cheesy deliciousness of this meal, but adults will love that you're sneaking in some veggies in the process!

5 minPrep Time

10 minCook Time

15 minTotal Time

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Ingredients

  • 2 big handfuls fresh spinach
  • 1 cup uncooked mini pasta, such as ditalini
  • 1/2 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp milk
  • 2 tbsp cream cheese
  • 4 tbsp parmesan cheese, grated

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to directions.
  2. Melt the butter in a small frying pan and sauté the spinach until just wilted.
  3. Combine the spinach with the milk and cheeses and chop finely in a food processor.
  4. Mix with the cooked pasta. Serve and enjoy!
7.8.1.2
15
https://www.sweettoothsweetlife.com/healthy-toddler-meals-easy-cheesy-spinach-pasta/

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Related

September 16, 2014 Filed Under: Baby Tooth, Dinner Recipe, Pasta Recipe, Popular Recipes, Toddler Meal Tagged With: Easy Cheesy Spinach Pasta, lucas favorite pasta, spinach and cheese pasta, toddler meal

About Courtney

I'm a working mom of two beautiful little boys, Lucas and Alex, and I began writing Sweet Tooth, Sweet Life in April 2010. I enjoy chronicling my love of food (healthy and indulgent!), baking, motherhood, fitness, fashion, and everything in between!

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Comments

  1. Bri says

    September 16, 2014 at 2:10 pm

    I love this recipe,, thank you! Like Lucas, my almost 14 month old has definitely gotten pickier over the last couple months. So anything cheesy with a hint of green should (hopefully) do the trick!!!
    Reply
  2. haley @Cupcakes and Sunshine.com says

    September 16, 2014 at 2:51 pm

    Toddler meal? I want to make this for myself!
    Reply
  3. Beks says

    September 16, 2014 at 2:55 pm

    Sounds easy and tasty! I have no kiddos, but I'm crazy about pasta. :-)
    Reply
  4. Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers says

    September 16, 2014 at 3:04 pm

    that last pic of lucas is too cute!! it looks like he's saying, "awww, mom, i'm STUFFED!" adorable!
    Reply
  5. Alysia @ Slim Sanity says

    September 16, 2014 at 3:35 pm

    That looks like something I might even like! ;)
    Reply
  6. Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment says

    September 16, 2014 at 4:11 pm

    Lucas is so adorable! Love the pics.
    Reply
  7. Ashley @ A Lady Goes West says

    September 16, 2014 at 6:34 pm

    Kids are so messy. ahahaha Love it! It's nice you're getting him to eat his greens.
    Reply
  8. Mindy says

    September 17, 2014 at 5:47 am

    I'll have to try this! My 14 month old is an awesome eater but for some reason does not like pasta filled with or mixed with any cheese. He loves cheese on its own though! Great way to sneak in some spinach!
    Reply
  9. Monica says

    September 17, 2014 at 9:38 am

    That sounds like a great recipe! My little one has lost interest in greens, too! Thanks for the recipe!
    Reply
  10. Jae says

    September 17, 2014 at 11:12 am

    I just might do this for myself! It does sound like a yummy recipe! Jae SCATTERBRAIN
    Reply
  11. Sara says

    September 17, 2014 at 12:04 pm

    I'm gonna try this pronto
    Reply
  12. Marcie says

    September 22, 2014 at 4:42 pm

    Love this! Made this for my little guy this weekend and he loved it. Thanks!
    Reply
  13. Leighanne says

    October 14, 2014 at 3:29 pm

    Thanks for the recipe. I just made this for my daughter and she loved it. I added some sautéed mushrooms at the end because I had them on hand and she loved them. Will definitely be making this again, probably as a side dish for our own dinner.
    Reply
  14. Brianne says

    March 13, 2015 at 3:21 pm

    I just made this for my son's dinner and am now re-making it because I may have eaten it all for lunch! Delicious and couldn't be any easier!
    Reply
  15. Laura says

    May 23, 2015 at 5:41 pm

    My almost 1yr old just loves this pasta, couldn't see to get enough of it :) and I like how easy it is!
    Reply
    • Courtney says

      May 24, 2015 at 10:47 am

      Awesome! Thanks for the feedback, Laura. So glad it was a hit!
      Reply
  16. Jenny says

    August 19, 2015 at 9:53 pm

    Looks great! Does this recipe freeze well?
    Reply
    • Courtney says

      August 20, 2015 at 8:55 am

      Thanks! I've actually never tried (it always goes too quick, haha!) but I'd say it's worth a shot?! If you do, let me know!
      Reply
    • Laura Muller says

      May 20, 2018 at 3:41 pm

      I make a double batch and freeze in small Tupperware’s for my nanny to give during the week. Freezes perfectly!!
      Reply
  17. tierza cacao says

    October 20, 2015 at 6:54 am

    totally looking forward to making this for my son. was wondering though, would it be possible to substitute anything for else for cream cheese? i dont have any on hand and dont really want to make a trip to the city.
    Reply
    • Courtney says

      October 20, 2015 at 8:28 am

      Hmmm....I have used The Laughing Cow cheese wedges in place of cream cheese, but that's the only substitute I've made. I'm sure any sort of creamy cheese (like goat cheese, too) would work. Good luck!
      Reply
  18. kate says

    November 4, 2015 at 10:00 pm

    What's an alternative to Parmesan cheese that could work just as well??? Thanks!
    Reply
    • Courtney says

      November 4, 2015 at 10:20 pm

      I'm sure shredded cheese could work in a pinch?!
      Reply
  19. Kim says

    August 31, 2016 at 10:43 am

    Can you freeze this?
    Reply
    • Courtney says

      August 31, 2016 at 11:58 am

      I've actually never tried?! If you wind up doing it, let me know how it turns out!
      Reply
    • Laura Muller says

      May 20, 2018 at 3:42 pm

      I make a double batch and freeze in small Tupperware’s for my nanny to give during the week. Freezes perfectly!!
      Reply
  20. Chantal says

    December 30, 2016 at 2:43 pm

    Just made this for my picky anti green eating 2 yo. Didn't have spinach on hand but substituted with baby kale and it was still very tasty. I enjoyed eating some, too. Thanks for saving us!
    Reply
  21. Carrie Ann says

    February 1, 2017 at 1:01 pm

    I give compliments when deserved! I posted your recipe on my personal Facebook, and 2 foodie Facebook groups I'm in. When a "toddler" recipe tastes better than an adult meal that's a win in my book! So simple, yet so delicious! Will be a new lunch staple at our home (and dinner when I'm in a hurry!) great recipe, I made a huge batch! thank you for sharing.
    Reply
  22. Leah says

    March 18, 2017 at 2:29 am

    This recipe was great! My little one devoured it. I found the sauce a tad runny so I might use a little less milk next time, but overall super quick, easy and picky 16 month old approved!
    Reply
  23. Les says

    May 19, 2017 at 4:18 pm

    This pasta was awesome! I added a little salt and pepper - then blended a few fresh basil leaves with the spinach mixture. Can't wait for my little to try it today!
    Reply
  24. Gina Simpson says

    June 25, 2017 at 4:28 pm

    Hi! Would this be ok in the freezer if I wanted to double the recipe? Thank you!
    Reply
    • Courtney says

      June 25, 2017 at 9:37 pm

      I've actually never tried freezing it, but I feel like it probably wouldn't freeze the greatest. Then again, it's always worth a shot to try freezing maybe a small batch to see how it works?
      Reply
    • Laura Muller says

      May 20, 2018 at 3:49 pm

      I make a double batch and freeze in small Tupperware’s for my nanny to give during the week. Freezes perfectly!!
      Reply
  25. Sheri says

    July 8, 2017 at 6:15 pm

    I added half an avocado to this to make it even healthier for my 15 month old who doesnt eat a ton of food. She devoured it!
    Reply
    • Courtney says

      July 9, 2017 at 8:11 pm

      That's an awesome idea, Sheri! Thanks for sharing!
      Reply
  26. Sindhura says

    September 6, 2017 at 4:24 pm

    My 2 year old wiped her plate clean. Easy to make. I didn't have cream cheese on hand, so skipped it and added a little bit of extra parmesan. Added a little garlic salt to the spinach for flavor. Tasted good enough for an adult dinner!
    Reply
  27. Abbey says

    October 11, 2017 at 2:34 pm

    I just wanted to say a quick "Thank you!" for such a wonderful recipe. My 16 month old absolutely loves it, and I've made it consistently for her, after finding it on Pinterest, since she was around 11 months. We've found were can hide whole wheat noodles, within, without her noticing as well. Thanks again.
    Reply
    • Courtney says

      October 12, 2017 at 10:56 am

      Thank you so much for sharing, Abbey! So glad it's been a hit!
      Reply
  28. Debra says

    April 4, 2018 at 1:01 pm

    Thanks for this delicious and super easy recipe! My 15 month old will finally eat pasta!
    Reply
    • Courtney says

      April 9, 2018 at 8:27 pm

      I'm so glad!! Thank you for sharing, Debra!
      Reply
  29. Sara D. says

    May 12, 2018 at 12:14 am

    If you didn't already know, this recipe is quite a hit with the Facebook group Hungry Toddlers - Meal Ideas (Instagram: hungrytoddlers)! Members posted about how it's an absolute hit with their kiddos (mine included), so thank you so much for this awesome dish!
    Reply
  30. Laura Muller says

    May 20, 2018 at 3:51 pm

    This has been a miracle dish for both my picky 12 month old and 23 month old!! Many thanks!! We make it all the time and it freezes well.
    Reply
  31. Shannon says

    May 31, 2018 at 12:16 pm

    Hi! I came across this from the mini turkey apple meatballs page and am excited to try both! Toddlers are so hard to feed sometimes! Do you use freshly grated Parmesan cheese or, for example, Kraft grated parm?
    Reply
    • Courtney says

      May 31, 2018 at 1:15 pm

      Hi Shannon! I've done both - fresh is always delicious, but out of convenience, we usually just have the grated parm from a jar :)
      Reply

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Sweet Tooth Sweet Life
Court Profile CircleI'm Courtney, a 30-something wife and working mom living in upstate NY. I'm a food lover, fitness enthusiast, baker extraordinaire and lover of all things sweet.
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