Toddler Friendly Pumpkin Pasta Food

TODDLER MUFFINS

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease 24 mini muffin cups or 12 standard muffin cups.
• In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until smooth. Mix in the mashed bananas, squash, carrots, and eggs. Stir in the flour, oat bran, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and salt until just combined. Spoon the batter equally into the prepared muffin cups.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool in the pans for 10 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack. Store at room temperature for up to two days, or freeze.

TODDLER-FRIENDLY PUMPKIN PASTA

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the penne, and return to a boil.
• Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain well in a colander set in the sink.
• Heat the pumpkin puree, chicken broth, milk, margarine, onion powder, black pepper, salt, cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger in a large skillet over low heat until heated through, about 5 minutes. Stir in the drained pasta, and toss with the Parmesan cheese. Serve ASAP!

PUMPKIN PASTA BAKE

Steps:

• Saute bacon, onion & garlic for approx 2 minutes.
• Add remaining vegetables & sage and saute until pumpkin is almost tender.
• Add soup & water and stir until soup dissolves, mix in chicken & cream.
• Add cooked pasta & stir to combine.
• Transfer to an ovenproof dish & sprinkle with cheese.
• Bake at 170.C until cheese has melted and pasta bake is heated through.

40 FAMILY DINNER IDEAS FOR KIDS: PUMPKIN PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot filled with water to a boil and cook pasta according to instructions on the package. Before straining, reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
• Meanwhile, in a large saucepan pour in the olive oil and heat over medium heat. Add in the garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring often. Add in the pumpkin puree, tomato paste, and broth and bring to a simmer, stir until combined. Reduce heat to low and add in the cream, balsamic vinegar, nutmeg, and salt and pepper, stir and let simmer while pasta cooks.
• Strain pasta and transfer to saucpan of pumpkin sauce. Stir in the pasta, adding the reserved water in 1/4 cup increments to thin out the sauce. I used the entire 1 cup of water for the recipe in the pictures above.
• Spoon into bowls and sprinkle with parmesan (if using).

CHEESY BAKED PUMPKIN PASTA WITH PANCETTA, KALE, AND WHITE BEANS

Steps:

• In a large skillet over medium heat, fry the pancetta until it's crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate or rack to cool and discard all but approximately 2 tsp rendered fat.
• To the same pan, add the onion and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Sauté, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 7 minutes, until browned and fragrant. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes for the last minute and toast for just 20 to 30 seconds, before the garlic scorches.
• Add 2 Tbsp water to de-glaze the pan, scrape up any browned bits, and remove from the heat.
• While the onion cooks, fill a large pot of salted water and bring it to a boil.
• Preheat the oven to 450F and grease a rectangular baking dish with cooking spray.
• Add the kale to the boiling water and cook for just 2 minutes or so, until it's bright green and tender but not soft. Use a slotted spoon to transfer it to a colander.
• To the same pot, add the pasta and cook it a minute or two short of package instructions; it should be just shy of al dente.
• Reserve ¾ cup of pasta water and drain the pasta in the colander with the kale.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the canned pumpkin with 1 cup shredded Gruyère or Cheddar. Season generously with black pepper.
• Whisk ½ cup pasta water into the pumpkin mix. It should be about the consistency of bechamel, thin enough to coat the pasta but not watery; if needed, add a bit more water.
• Fold in the pasta, kale, onions, pancetta and beans and stir well to coat.
• Transfer to the baking dish and sprinkle the remaining ½ cup shredded cheese over the top; finish with the breadcrumbs and spray with a bit of cooking spray to increase browning..
• Bake for 14 to 18 minutes, until the breadcrumbs are golden. For deeper browning, place 3 to 4 inches beneath your broiler and broil for 1 to 2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.