Toddler Friendly Turmeric & Ginger Pasta

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I’m convinced that kids recipes are infinitely better than adult recipes because they truly let the flavors of simple ingredients shine through. That, or it’s all the butter. Ok, it’s probably the butter, LOL. This turmeric & ginger pasta I’m sharing today might seem like it doesn’t have a lot going on, but I promise you it’s a favorite in our house!

What Type of Pasta To Use?

There are TONS of nutritious pasta options and a general rule of thumb is to find ones that have minimal ingredients listed on the box. Some pastas like chickpea or lentil pasta can be very chewy even after cooking so I recommend finding a pasta that will be soft enough for your toddler to eat. I love using egg pastas (they generally come in a large bag) because they’re very soft and don’t have any junk ingredients.

Is Ginger OK for Toddlers?

If you’re little one is not used to eating a lot of spices or herbs, you can simply reduce or omit it in this recipe. I choose to add ginger and turmeric in a lot of Shaan’s recipes for their health benefits. Ginger is widely regarded as being very soothing to the belly and turmeric has a ton of properties – one being immunity boosting which is always great for children!

Quick Links: Shaan’s Everyday Milk & Water Cup // Favorite Bibs // High Chair We Love //

Tips for a Less Messy Meal Time:

Often times I double up my bib game. I’ll put him in a long sleeved bib like this to protect his clothing, and then on top place a bib with a catcher like this to collect any spilled food.
Buy one of these splat mats to place under your high chair. After meal time you can shake it off in the sink, or outside! Work’s great for arts & crafts too! Another mom suggested buying cheap xxl trash bags and cutting them open to lay down as a disposable DIY splat mat!
If you want to keep your kid distracted but don’t want to succumb to the tv, try this waterproof book (it’s meant for the bath but works great for messy meal times since it can be washed!).
Worried about turmeric and other food stains? I soak all of Shaan’s stained clothes in a bucket of Oxi Clean Powder & water over night and then throw them in the washer the next day. I’ve also heard Shout Cleaning Spray works great!

Fussy Toddler Tip:

Throwing a small handful of shredded cheese or blueberries on Shaans’s tray keeps him occupied and entertained so I can get a few more minutes to get his meal together. If this doesn’t work, he loves when I hand him kitchen tools like a small rubber spatula or two small metal bowls to bang together!

I hope you all enjoy this recipe and if you’re little one loves it, tag me because babies eating is like the best thing in the world to watch! Tag me in @thchutneylife or with #thechutneylife so I can see what yumminess everyone is upto! Happy Eating !

Toddler Friendly Turmeric & Ginger Pasta

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Ingredients

2 cups pasta uncooked (large pasta like rotini, penne, works best)

1 cup chopped tomatoes

1 tsp ginger, finely grated

1/2 tsp cumin seeds

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

1/4 cup peas (optional)

Salt (optional)

2-3 tbsp butter, avocado oil, or ghee

1/4 cup of shredded cheese

Directions

Heat a large pot of water until boiling and add pasta. Cook pasta until soft but not falling a part. Drain and set aside.
Heat oil or butter in a large skillet/pan over medium heat (being careful to not brown the butter). Once the oil is hot or the butter is melted, add the cumin seeds, and ginger. Stir continuously, incorporating the ginger well into the oil until it is fragrant (about 2-3 minutes).
Once you've cooked the ginger for a few minutes, add the chopped tomatoes, and turmeric powder and continue to cook for a few more minutes until the tomatoes look soft. You can use a potato masher or back of spoon to break up the tomatoes if needed.
Add the peas, pinch of salt if you're adding it, and once the peas are soft, add the pasta.
Stir everything together well and lastly, add the cheese. You can add more or less depending on your preference. Serve hot!