Quick pasta with sauce for your little one

Pasta can be a great option for kids as it is a good source of carbohydrates, which provides energy for active kids. Additionally, pasta can be a good source of fiber, depending on the type of pasta used, which can aid digestion and help kids feel full for longer periods of time.

This recipe specifically also incorporates tomatoes, which are a good source of vitamin C and antioxidants, and onions and garlic, which contain various vitamins and minerals that can help support a healthy immune system.

Ingredients:

125 grams pasta

large handful frozen peas or broccoli, chopped into small florets

1½ tablespoons tomato purée (paste)

1 teaspoon garlic purée (paste), or 1 garlic clove, crushed

½ teaspoon mixed dried herbs

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

50 grams grated Cheddar or 1 heaped tablespoon nutritional yeast (to make vegan)

freshly ground black pepper

a few basil leaves to garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Bring a pan of water to the boil and add the pasta and peas or broccoli. Cook for 5 minutes or according to the pasta packet instructions.

2. Meanwhile, in a medium microwavable bowl, combine the tomato purée, garlic purée, grated cheese, mixed herbs, smoked paprika and a pinch of black pepper. Stir well.

3. Add 2 ladlefuls of the pasta cooking water about 150ml and give it a good mix. If you have a microwave, give it a blast for 2 minutes, as this will give a silkier finish. However, you can skip this step if you don’t have one – it’ll still be yummy!

4, Once the pasta and veg are cooked, drain and stir through the sauce quickly while the pasta is still piping hot. Serve with an extra grating of cheese, and a few basil leaves, to garnish.