Pasta in Baby Food Recipes - When Can Baby Have Pasta?
Age for Introducing Pasta: 8-10 months
The Goodness of Pasta
Pasta is highly nutritious and most pastas on the market are enriched with vitamins and minerals. Pasta is also loaded with carbohydrates that help our bodies produce energy.
Pasta has often been given a bad rap due to these carbohydrates however the truth is, pasta is not a refined carbohydrate. Pasta is made from semolina, a durham wheat that is hearty and nutritious and not refined in the process of making pastas. Refined carbohydrates are not as readily processed by the body as non-refined carbohydrates.
Pasta Nutrients |
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| NUTRIENTS | Enriched Macaroni |
Egg Noodles |
Tricolor Macaroni |
| Calories | 211 | 217 | 209 |
| Protein g | 7.28 | 7.99 | 7.49 |
| Total Fat g | 0.9 | 2.4 | 0.59 |
| Total Carbohydrate g | 42 | 43 | 42.68 |
| Crude Fiber g | 0.15 | 0.19 | N/A |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.4 | 2.7 | 4.3 |
MINERALS |
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| Calcium mg | 10 | 17 | 20 |
| Iron mg | 2.20 | 2.58 | 2.44 |
| Magnesium mg | 27 | 34 | 26 |
| Phosphorus mg | 85 | 122 | 66 |
| Potassium mg | 92 | 133 | 163 |
| Sodium mg | 4 | 12 | 25 |
| Zinc* mg | 0.69 | 0.91 | 0.43 |
| Copper* mg | 0.14 | 0.17 | 0.114 |
| Manganese* mg | 0.40 | 0.40 | 2.192 |
VITAMINS |
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| Ascorbic Acid mg | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Thiamin mg | 0.59 | 0.60 | 0.588 |
| Riboflavin mg | 0.25 | 0.273 | 0.299 |
| Niacin mg | 4.28 | 4.578 | 4.177 |
| Pantothenic Acid* mg | 0.246 | 0.40 | 0.429 |
| B-6* mg | 0.061 | 0.069 | 0.074 |
| Folacin* mg | 10 | 17 | 10 |
| B-12* mg | 0 | 0.23 | 0 |
| Vitamin A iu | 0 | 35 | 91 |
| Cholesterol mg | 0 | 54 | 0 |
*Expanded Nutrients in Revised Handbook Dietary Fiber Values in Appendix Are Limited Source: National Pasta Association |
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When can I introduce Pasta to my baby?
Pasta is typically introduced to baby from 8 months of age. As most pasta is made from wheat, it is recommended that those with a history of wheat allergy and/or gluten intolerance not eat pasta or introduce it until much later.
If your baby has been fine with eating oats, barley, or other products containing wheat and/or gluten, the odds are great that there is not a gluten intolerance in your baby. However, you should discuss the introduction of pasta with your baby's pediatrician.
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How to store Pasta for baby food
Pasta has a very long shelf life as long as it is uncooked. Store boxed or packaged pasta in the original package. For extra protection, add the package to an airtight bag or container. Some pasta may take on an "old" taste the longer it is stored. Fresh or Homemade pasta should always be refrigerated or frozen.
The best way to cook Pasta
Always cook pasta in boiling water and according to package directions.
Basic Pasta Recipes for Baby
Pastina Cereal (make it Organic by using Organic Pasta.)
1 box Pastina style pasta
fruit ot vegetable
1. Cook according to package directions
2. Stir in mashed or pureed banana, peaches, applesauce or even sweet potato or butternut squash.
Add any pureed fruits and vegetables to baby's homemade Pastina cereal. You may even add small dices or shreds of soft tender cooked meats. Ensure that you have followed the 4 day wait rule.
Cheezy Orange Pasta
1 cup cooked pasta
1/2 pureed or chopped soft cooked carrots
grated cheese
Mix carrots with the cooked pasta and then sprinkle with cheese
Pasta Chicken Stew
2 cups sodium-free chicken broth (try a homemade stock)
1/2 cup elbow or ditalini pasta
1/2 cubed chicken breast
1/4 cup of frozen peas
3 tablespoons chopped onion
Add chicken broth to a medium sized saucepan and bring to a boil.
Add pasta, chicken, peas and onion
Turn heat to low and simmer until the chicken is cooked and tenderPuree or mash the stew as needed for your baby's texture preference.
Serve warm, adding a sprinkle of cheese if desired
Foods Good to Mix With Pasta
Broccoli
Carrots
Cauliflower
Green Beans
Peas
Summer Squash
Bananas
Peaches
Applesauce
Headlines from our Baby Food Blog
Welcome to our Feeding Your Baby Pasta page.
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Welcome to our Pasta Baby Food Information and Recipes page.
Pasta is a great source of B vitamins and even iron. Millet is not just for the birds.
Learn about Pasta and try some of our Pasta baby food recipe ideas too.
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Useful articles and charts to help you with the fun and folly of introducing baby to solid foods.
MORE HOMEMADE BABY FOOD RECIPES & RECIPE TOPICS
View these pages for more tips & topics on baby feeding & cooking baby foods.
- Freezing Homemade Baby Foods
- Vitamins & Minerals in Baby's Foods
- Baby Food Myths - Archived
- Baby Food Recipes Downloads
- Freebies for Baby







