FIRST TOMATO PASTA SAUCE FOR BABIES

This tasty baby pasta sauce is packed with tomatoes, veggies, and extra iron! It’s the perfect introduction to tomato sauce for your little one. Plus, it doubles as a healthy “hidden veggie” option for picky toddlers, making mealtime both nutritious and delicious.

Ingredients:

  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • ¼ small red pepper, finely chopped
  • 1-inch piece of carrot, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • ¼ tsp dried Italian herb mix
  • 400g (14 oz) can of chopped or whole tomatoes
  • 4 Tbsp (¼ cup) cooked white beans, rinsed
  • 5 fresh basil leaves

Instructions:

  • Heat olive oil in a small saucepan and sauté the chopped carrots and peppers until softened.
  • Add the garlic and herbs, cooking for an additional minute or two until fragrant.
  • Stir in the tomatoes and beans. Bring to a simmer, then turn off the heat. Add the basil leaves and let the sauce cool for about 5 minutes.
  • Puree the sauce using a hand blender, or transfer to a jug blender or food processor.
  • Toss the sauce with cooked pasta and serve.

Notes:
This recipe makes 5 portions. Freeze in 90ml / 3oz baby food containers for later use. I used butter beans, but other white beans like cannellini or haricot (great northern) work just as well!