Creamy Spinach Pasta
on Apr 10, 2024
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Introducing nutritious and flavorful meals to toddlers can sometimes be a challenge, but with recipes like Creamy Spinach Pasta, mealtime becomes a breeze! This delicious dish combines the goodness of spinach with creamy cottage cheese for a nutritious and satisfying pasta dish that the whole family will love. Let’s dive into how to make it and why it’s perfect for toddlers and families.
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1.5-2 tsp minced garlic
- 8 oz baby spinach
- 1 lb pasta (of your choice)
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, or until fragrant.
- Add the baby spinach to the skillet and stir to coat it in the garlic-infused olive oil. Let the spinach wilt for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Once the spinach has wilted, remove the skillet from the heat and set it aside to cool slightly.
- In a blender or food processor, combine the cooked spinach mixture, cottage cheese, and 1/4 cup of water. Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Pour the creamy spinach mixture over the cooked pasta and toss to coat the pasta evenly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve the Creamy Spinach Pasta immediately, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese or fresh herbs if desired.
Why Creamy Spinach Pasta is Great for Toddlers and Families:
- Nutrient-Rich: Spinach is packed with essential vitamins and minerals, including iron, calcium, and vitamins A and C, making it a nutritious addition to your toddler’s diet.
- Sneaky Veggies: This pasta dish is a great way to sneak some extra veggies into your toddler’s meal without them even noticing, thanks to the creamy texture and delicious flavor of the spinach and cottage cheese sauce.
- Protein-Packed: Cottage cheese adds a boost of protein to this dish, helping to keep your little ones full and satisfied.
- Easy to Make: With just a handful of ingredients and minimal preparation time, Creamy Spinach Pasta is quick and convenient to whip up, even on busy weeknights.
- Family-Friendly: This pasta dish is sure to be a hit with the whole family, thanks to its creamy texture and comforting flavors.
Storage Instructions:
Any leftover Creamy Spinach Pasta can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. To reheat, simply warm the pasta in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through, adding a splash of water or milk to loosen the sauce if needed.
Creamy Spinach Pasta
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1.5-2 tsp minced garlic
- 8 oz baby spinach, the whole 8 oz bag
- 1 lb pasta, of your choice
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, or until fragrant.
- Add the baby spinach to the skillet and stir to coat it in the garlic-infused olive oil. Let the spinach wilt for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Once the spinach has wilted, remove the skillet from the heat. In a blender or food processor, combine the cooked spinach mixture, cottage cheese, and 1/4 cup of water. Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Pour the creamy spinach mixture over the cooked pasta and toss to coat the pasta evenly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I will be making this again! It was a great way to use up our spinach and the cottage cheese gave it a great creamy texture!