Try these top ten pasta recipes for nutritious, fast, and yummy meals to share with the kids. Each option has veggies, requires minimal dishwashing at the end, and is tested for parent and kid approval!
Pasta is a staple of toddlerhood, and these easy pasta recipes are my go-to options for fast, reliable, nutritious, and so darn yummy. They are the ones that I love as much as my kids do and are great options for quick lunches or dinners on busy days.
Try these as easy toddler dinners, as make-ahead toddler lunch ideas (you can pack them in a kids thermos), as a freezer meal for families, or as a dinner you can quickly make when you walk in the door at 5:30 pm.
(You may also like my shortcut toddler meal ideas!)
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Hidden Veggie Pasta Sauce
I’ve been adding veggies to my pasta sauces for years and years, and I love the flavor of an easy marinara sauce with a few extra ingredients in the mix.
With four veggies in the mix and the classic flavor of marinara, this Hidden Veggie Pasta Sauce is both delish and nutrient-rich.
Easy Green Pasta Sauce
This has been such a great way for my kids to learn to love greens because it’s fun and mellow in flavor.
Give homemade mac and cheese extra oomph with this power-packed Green Pasta Sauce. It is cheesy, has a dose of greens, and is super easy to make.
Pasta in Brodo (Pasta in Broth)
This is a simple meal that’s easy enough for a weeknight and can be adjusted for preferences and allergies as needed.
Learn how to make the easiest, yummiest Pasta in Brodo (broth) as a delicious meal to share with the kids. It’s nutritious, fast, and packed with delicious flavor.
Quick Pastina Soup
Tiny star pasta soup was one of the staples of my Italian-American childhood, and it’s something my kids adore eating now. The shape of the tiny pasta, or pastina, is so fun, and the rest of the ingredients add plenty of cozy flavor.
With just a handful of simple ingredients, you can make this cozy Pastina Soup to share with the kids in under 30 minutes. Look for little star “pastina” pasta in the pasta aisle.
Quick Lemon Broccoli Pasta
I love this recipe because it takes just about 20 minutes, we use only a single pot, and the flavor is so bright and fresh.
Bursting with fresh, bright flavor, this Lemon Broccoli Pasta is one of our absolute favorite fast meals. It’s ready in less than 20 minutes, you can use fresh or frozen broccoli, and it’s perfect for little kids and us adults.
Homemade Hamburger Helper
It’s easier than I realized to re-create Hamburger Helper at home, or to just try a homemade version of this popular option if you’ve not had it before. This skillet meal is great for those nights when you want fewer pots to wash in an easy weeknight dinner—and also want a crowd-pleaser.
This one-pot homemade Hamburger Helper is nutritious, delicious, and so easy to make. It’s a 30-minute way to make quick work of dinner!
This easy marinara sauce is super simple and flexible so you can adjust the recipe based on what you like and have on hand. Plus, extras freeze beautifully!
Easy Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese
It comes together in less than 15 minutes, is incredibly creamy, and tastes so darn good.
Friends, meet my new favorite lightning fast dish. This Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese requires just 5 simple ingredients, zero prep work, and is just the yummiest pasta recipe!
Easy Red Pepper Pasta
You can use fresh or frozen veggies to make this and the sauce can be made ahead and stored in the fridge or freezer, too.
With a simple, yet super flavorful sauce and an easy method that can be done ahead of time, this Red Pepper Pasta is a favorite family dinner to share.
One Pot Mac and Cheese
This is my favorite easy mac and cheese recipe since it takes the same amount of time to make as boxed mac and cheese, yet I can make it from basic pantry staples.
The method for this creamy and cheese One Pot Mac and Cheese recipe is streamlined to cut down on dishwashing—and to ensure the easiest method to the yummiest dish!
How to Store
Let cool and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in a heat-safe bowl or plate, stirring often, until warmed through.
You can also freeze pasta in a freezer bag or freezer container for up to 6 months.
Best Tips for Success
- Serve with simple sides such as applesauce, Baked Chicken Meatballs or Pan-Seared Chicken, a salad kit (shred the lettuce for easy chewing for toddlers), or sliced fruit.
- Remember that toddler appetites can vary widely and they often eat a variety over the course of a whole week, not necessarily a day.
- Find the storage information and allergy substitutions in each recipe in the Notes section at the end.
