Quick and Easy Aubergine & Courgette Orzo Pasta
Table of Contents
This pasta recipe is very delicious and most importantly very quick and easy to make if you’re in a hurry.
Aubergine and courgette pasta is the perfect dish for baby-led weaning, introducing little ones to a medley of flavours and textures. The soft and tender aubergine and courgette beautifully complement the pasta, creating a dish that is both nutritious and tasty. This recipe allows babies to explore different shapes and sizes while developing their fine motor skills. As they grasp the pasta and vegetables with their tiny fingers, they are encouraged to feed themselves, fostering their independence and self-feeding abilities. The vibrant colours of the aubergine and courgette also stimulate their visual senses, making mealtime an engaging and enjoyable experience. With its wholesome ingredients and delightful taste, aubergine and courgette pasta is a fantastic choice for introducing little ones to the world of solid foods.
This does not just need to be for your baby/toddler, this can be your family’s main meal or for a lunch the next day. The combination of these two vegetables brings together a medley of flavours that is sure to impress. As I gently sauté the aubergine and courgette in olive oil, the kitchen fills with a tantalising aroma. The aubergine and courgette add a satisfying richness, while their melt-in-your-mouth texture complements the pasta perfectly. Topped with a generous sprinkle of grated cheese if you like, the aubergine and courgette pasta promises to be a mouthwatering feast that will leave everyone at the table longing for seconds.
Using the Orzo pasta makes this recipe suitable for small mouths and small spoons! Orzo pasta can be a fantastic choice for baby-led weaning, introducing infants to the wonderful world of solid foods. Shaped like miniature grains of rice, orzo is soft in texture, making it easy for little ones to handle and chew. This tiny pasta is versatile and can be cooked until it is extremely tender, making it ideal for babies who are just starting to explore different textures and flavours. Orzo pasta can be cooked in a variety of ways, offering a burst of delicious flavours to excite tiny taste buds. Packed with carbohydrates, orzo also provides energy for active little bodies. Its small size and delicate texture make it a perfect choice for babies to practice their fine motor skills, promoting self-feeding and independence.
When it comes to introducing solid foods to babies, courgette stands out as a versatile vegetable that offers numerous health benefits. Perfectly suited for baby-led weaning, courgette is a great choice due to its soft texture and mild taste. Rich in essential nutrients like vitamins A, C, and K, as well as folate and potassium, courgette aids in the growth and development of a baby's immune system, bones, and vision. Additionally, the high water content in courgette helps to keep your little one hydrated, while its low calorie and fat content make it an ideal option for healthy weight management. Most importantly, courgette can be easily prepared in various ways, from steaming to roasting or even grated, allowing babies to explore different tastes and textures, enhancing their sensory development. Overall, incorporating courgette into a baby's diet as part of baby-led weaning can provide a nutritious and exciting introduction to solid foods.
Introducing aubergine, also known as eggplant, into a baby's diet during the process of baby-led weaning brings along several benefits. Firstly, aubergines are rich in essential nutrients such as vitamins A, C, and E, which contribute to the strengthening of the baby's immune system. This vibrant vegetable also contains dietary fibre, aiding in healthy digestion and preventing constipation that some babies may experience during the weaning journey. Furthermore, aubergines are low in calories and fat, making them an ideal choice for babies who are just starting to explore solid foods and need a nutrient-dense yet low-calorie option. Lastly, the soft and mushy texture of cooked aubergine makes it easy for babies to grip and self-feed, encouraging the development of their fine motor skills and promoting self-sufficiency during mealtime.
I like to think you will have most of these ingredients in stock, and I like the fact you do not have to open too many tins or jars. Using your cupboard staples is like having a secret weapon for whipping up delicious meals with ease. From canned tomatoes to olive oil, these ingredients are an essential in any kitchen. Need a quick pasta sauce? Grab a can of chopped tomatoes, garlic powder, and some dried basil to create a flavourful sauce in no time. Feeling fancy? A drizzle of olive oil over roasted vegetables instantly elevates their flavour and adds a touch of sophistication, for the adults. With cupboard staples, you can transform simple dishes into culinary masterpieces effortlessly. Whether it's a last-minute dinner or a cosy Sunday lunch, having these cupboard essentials at hand ensures that you can always satisfy your cravings and impress your taste buds.
This recipe is also deliciously dairy-free, If you need a go-to dairy-free recipe that will be a staple in your little ones lives then this is the recipe to keep. Introducing solid foods to babies is an exciting milestone, and finding nutritious options that cater to their dietary needs can sometimes be a challenge. Discovering a dairy-free pasta recipe suitable for babies becomes a fantastic solution for parents seeking variety and flavours. Using simple ingredients such as orzo pasta, chopped vegetables and a homemade tomato sauce, this dairy-free pasta recipe is both flavourful and packed with essential nutrients. The tomato sauce, made from scratch tomatoes, garlic, and a pinch of dried herbs, adds a delightful burst of flavour without the need for dairy products. This pasta dish serves as a perfect introduction to new textures and tastes, while providing a healthy alternative for little ones with dairy intolerances or allergies.
My toddler loves a pasta dish, does yours? this one is always a winner in his eyes, Also a good opportunity for him to try a couple of different new vegetables as well. Introducing your baby to a variety of flavours and textures is essential for their developing palate, and my wholesome aubergine and courgette pasta is the perfect dish to embark on this flavourful journey. Bursting with vibrant colours and packed with essential nutrients, this dish provides a delightful combination of taste and nutrition. The tender courgette and luscious aubergine create a creamy, comforting base for the soft pasta, which allows your little one to practice chewing and enjoy different textures. Both aubergine and courgette are rich in vitamins and minerals, supplying important nutrients such as potassium, vitamin C, and fibre. This dish will not only introduce your baby to new flavours but also contribute to their healthy growth and development. Don't miss out on the opportunity to tantalise your baby's taste buds while nourishing their growing body with this delightful aubergine and courgette pasta.
Ingredient information
Olive oil - I like to cook with olive oil, You can use rapeseed oil or avocado oil if preferred.
Onion - Onions give a great flavour in pasta dishes, If this is something that is not preferred, you can use half a leek instead.
Aubergine - This is a great vegetable as when softened it will go really soft, great for little gums.
Courgette - I love cooking with courgettes, they give such a great flavour and similar to aubergines they soften beautifully.
Tomato puree - Make sure you always have some of this in your store cupboard/fridge, such a great alternative to tinned tomatoes, I believe this gives a great depth of flavour and handy when making meals for 1.
Italian seasoning - I’ve only just started using this herb recently again and I love it! So tasty in any pasta dish!
Garlic powder - I love the use of herbs and spices to season food instead of salt and sugar. and you don’t have to peel garlic to make this super convenient and the results are still delicious.
Vegetable stock (zero salt stock cube) - If you can use the zero salt stock cubes this would be beneficial to your little ones. If not the low salt stock cubes are a good substitute.
Orzo pasta - This pasta is great for weaning, not only that it is great for your little ones if they are not used to lumpy foods just yet. such a versatile pasta for you and your family
Black pepper - you can add as little or as much as you like to season this dish.
Cheddar cheese - cheese on pasta is so tasty, and also nutritious for your little ones. you can substitute for a cheddar cheese if you would like to make the dish non dairy!
Serving suggestion
This recipe is perfectly delicious on its own, but if you did want to serve something with this dish I would suggest serving with some steamed vegetables of your choice, some grilled chicken, roasted carrots, or even some carrot fritters or extra courgette fries.
Storage instructions
The aubergine and courgette pasta can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Or you could portion into smaller airtight containers and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Both can be frozen for up to 3 months.
To defrost and re heat correctly, take the airtight container out of the freezer and place in the fridge overnight until completely thawed. Once thawed, place the aubergine and courgette pasta into a saucepan and reheat until piping hot, then leave to cool slightly and check the temperature before serving to your baby. Please note that once defrosted and reheated you will not be able to freeze again.
Equipment used to help with this recipe
Saucepan - So many pan sets out there but I particularly like to use pans with a non-stick surface for ease of cleaning and ones that are suitable for different types of hob surface.
Large Airtight container - I much prefer the click-shut lids on these containers compared to others. They are also dishwasher and freezer safe and BPA free, so very suitable for food use.
Small Airtight container - Just 180 ml storage capacity but very useful for leftovers and freezing small baby portions.
Recipe | Aubergine and Courgette Pasta
Makes 5 portions
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small/medium onion
1/2 courgette
1/4 aubergine
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
2 tablespoons tomato puree
250ml vegetable stock (zero salt stock cube)
1/2 cup orzo pasta
black pepper
handful of dairy free cheese of choice (optional)
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan and add the onion and soften for 10 minutes until they are just turning brown. Add in the courgette and aubergine and continue to cook for 5 minutes, keeping an eye on the heat. You don’t want anything to stick and burn.
Turn down the heat, and make your vegetable stock and set aside.
Once the vegetables are soft, add in the garlic powder, tomato puree, Italian seasoning and black pepper and stir. Cook for 2 minutes.
Add in the stock and cook and reduce down for 15 minutes.
Boil the kettle and add to a small saucepan, add in the orzo pasta and cook for 10 minutes (check the packet instructions).
Once the pasta is cook, drain and add to the vegetable sauce.
Leave to cool and add a sprinkling of cheddar cheese if you like.
Hope your little ones enjoy!
Recipe notes
You can of course substitute the courgette and aubergine for any vegetable you like, just make sure that everything is softened and cooked, a great test to see if it is cooked enough is to squeeze between your fingers, if it breaks up easily you can serve to your baby.
If you wanted to change the pasta shape you can do so for older children and adults.
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