Super Greens Pasta

Age suitable:
8 months +
Servings:
6 adults

Egg free, Gluten Free, Vegetarian

5 stars

About the recipe

This veggie-loaded green pasta sauce is creamy, vibrant, and packed with goodness from herbs, greens, avocado and macadamias. A nourishing meal for babies, toddlers and the whole family.

Kids love pasta and as a parent, I love a sauce that’s full of fresh greens and healthy fats. This Super Greens Pasta is a simple yet delicious way to pack in nutrients while still serving up a familiar family favourite.

The sauce is vibrant and creamy thanks to macadamias and avocado, with flavour from fresh basil, parsley, lemon and parmesan. You can serve it blended through warm pasta, or use it as a purée for younger babies by loosening the sauce with a little broth or water.

It’s the perfect “one meal, shared a few ways” kind of dish—and even better, it freezes beautifully for future meals.

Age suitable:

Suitable from 8 months+
For baby-led weaning, serve the sauce over soft pasta like pulse pasta or buckwheat spirals.
For younger babies, blend the sauce to a smoother consistency and offer as a purée or stirred into mashed veg.

Note on allergens:

This recipe contains potential allergens including macadamias (tree nuts) and parmesan cheese (dairy). We recommend introducing these ingredients individually first, on separate occasions, to monitor for any reaction before offering them combined in a recipe like this.

Serving suggestions:

Serve with your favourite pasta shape, pulse pasta, spelt, wholemeal or gluten-free options all work well.
Blend extra sauce and freeze in small portions to add to other meals.
Stir through risotto or serve over baked potatoes for variety.

Storage tips:

Store leftover sauce in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freeze in ice cube trays or small jars for up to 3 months.
Reheat gently and stir through freshly cooked pasta or grains.

Read More

Ingredients

1 cup fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup fresh parsley leaves
3 silverbeet leaves
3/4 cup macadamias
1/2 ripe avocado
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
1 clove garlic
4 tablespoons olive oil
1.5 tablespoons lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste
400 grams pasta of choice

Method

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta.

Remove the stems from the silverbeet leaves and blanch the greens in the boiling water for about 1 minute, until vibrant. Remove and squeeze out any excess water.

In a food processor or using a stick blender, combine the basil, parsley, blanched silverbeet, macadamias, avocado, parmesan, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Blend until combined but still a little textured.

Cook your pasta according to packet directions. Before draining, save a ladle of the pasta water.

Return the cooked pasta to the pot and stir through the green sauce along with the pasta water. Mix well until the sauce coats the pasta. Add a splash of cream if desired and season to taste.

Ingredient swaps and notes:

 

Macadamias can be swapped for cashews (different tree-nut species) or sunflower seeds for a nut-free version.
Parmesan can be replaced with nutritional yeast for dairy-free.
Silverbeet can be swapped for spinach or kale (remove stems and blanch first).
Add a splash of cream or extra olive oil for a silkier finish.

You might also like

Slow-Cooker Roast Chicken

If you’ve got a copy of Toddler to Table, you might recognise this recipe! It’s inspired by our much-loved Lemon Butter Roast Chicken recipe, adapted for the slow cooker to make those busy days even easier. There’s something so comforting about a whole roast chicken, but standing over the oven for hours isn’t always practical. … Continued

Learn more

Leftover Enchiladas

These Leftover Enchiladas are one of our favourite ways to transform slow-cooked meat into an entirely new meal. Soft tortillas are filled with tender shredded meat, black beans, sweet corn and melty cheese, then baked under a rich homemade enchilada sauce until bubbling and golden. They’re comforting, nourishing, freezer-friendly and a brilliant way to stretch … Continued

Learn more

Baby Liver Pate

Introducing liver to babies doesn’t have to mean serving chunks of liver on a plate. This silky smooth pate is one of our favourite ways to introduce one of nature’s most nutrient-dense foods in a way that’s gentle, delicious and easy for little ones to enjoy. Chicken liver is one of the richest natural sources … Continued

Learn more

Slow-Cooker Pork Carnitas

If you’ve ever thought slow cooker meals had to be bland, watery or lacking flavour, this recipe is here to change your mind. These Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas are one of my favourite recipes because they deliver juicy, fall-apart pork with crispy, caramelised edges that taste like they’ve come straight from your favourite Mexican restaurant. … Continued

Learn more

Slow-Cooker Chicken, Bacon & Leek Pie

This recipe is adapted from one of our most-loved recipes in Toddler to Table. The original version comes together much more quickly on the stovetop, but I wanted to create a slow cooker version for those busy days when you want dinner to cook itself. As part of my slow cooker series, I’m on a mission … Continued

Learn more

Lasagne Soup

This is one of those meals that tastes like you spent hours cooking… but really it’s just a throw-everything-in-a-pot situation. It has all the cosy flavours of lasagne without the layering, baking or dishwashing marathon. Rich tomatoey broth, tender pasta, hearty mince and creamy cheese on top… honestly the ultimate comfort food. I also love … Continued

Learn more

Chicken Meatballs in a Gingery Broth

This is one of those meals that feels a little bit special, but is actually so simple to make. The meatballs are soft and full of flavour, and cooking them directly in the broth not only keeps them incredibly juicy, but also adds so much depth to the soup itself. It’s the kind of dinner … Continued

Learn more

French Toast

There’s something so comforting about French toast, especially when it becomes one of those go-to meals you can rely on for everyone in the family. This version, from our book Toddler to Table, is exactly that. It’s simple, nourishing, and incredibly versatile. Whether you’re feeding a baby just starting solids, a busy toddler, or yourself … Continued

Learn more
0