My Butternut Squash & Butterbean Pasta Bake is perfect for the whole family and one you could try on the weekend when you have some more time.
Now, I LOVE sitting down and eating the same meal together as a family! It’s something that doesn’t happen every day with busy schedules, but I do make a point of doing this a few times a week. Eating together is not only great for learning social skills and table manners but can be beneficial for those little fussy eaters. It’s something I encourage all parents to try and do when they can. As role models to our children, it really helps them when they see us eat. They learn to bite and chew and to eat a wide variety of food.
For babies, I suggest blending or mashing or offering in finger-shaped pieces. It’s also a good option for older toddlers and children as a serve-yourself dinner, offering some independence and choice at dinnertime.
This recipe offers plant-based protein from the butter beans as well as iron which is especially important after 6 months. There is some dairy from the crème fraiche and cheese, which adds calcium too. This is lovely on its own, or you could serve it with a side of steamed broccoli, peas or some corn on the cob.
This will serve 1 adult and 1-2 baby portions.
Ingredients
- 1 medium butternut squash, peeled, deseeded and chopped – cut a few into finger shapes for those BLW
- Sprinkle of garlic granules
- A little sage, finely chopped
- Drizzle of olive oil
- ½ tin of butter beans, drained and sliced for younger babies
- 3 tbsp crème fraiche
- 100g cooked pasta (e.g., penne)
- 1 slice of bread, blitzed into breadcrumbs
- A little cheese, grated
Method
- Preheat the oven to 200 ºC
- Add the chopped butternut squash to a baking tray then toss in the garlic granules, sage and olive oil. Roast for 30-40 minutes until cooked.
- Add the butter beans, crème fraiche and cooked pasta and mix together.
- Sprinkle over the breadcrumbs and cheese and pop back into the oven for 20 minutes until the breadcrumbs are golden and the cheese has melted.
Serve in the middle of the table for everyone to dig in and enjoy!
For more pasta ideas for the kids, take a look at this Ricotta Pasta Bake recipe – another fantastic family meal.
Finally, do check out my book How To Wean Your Baby for more family-friendly recipes!
Charlotte’s Book