Pasta in Green Sauce is an easy, delicious way to get the family eating their greens! This vibrant pasta is packed with nutrients, and perfect for picky eaters. It’s savoury but fresh flavour will have your little ones asking for seconds without realizing they’re enjoying a serving of spinach. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a creative way to add more greens to their diet, this kid friendly pasta in green sauce recipe is an easy solution!
Ingredients in green pasta sauce
This fresh green pasta sauce needs minimal ingredients:
Fresh spinach – Baby spinach is preferred. Spinach is a nutritious leafy green [1], great to serve to children! It contains high levels of vitamin K and polyphenols, which promote healthy blood, bones and cell function, as well as B vitamins and antioxidants.
Basil – Fresh basil leaves only, from a large bunch of basil.
Peas – Frozen peas, for convenience!
Lemon juice – Juice squeezed from a lemon adds a burst of freshness.
Parmesan cheese – This seasons the sauce. Babies can have a small amount of parmesan [2]. You can it leave out until the end if you prefer, reserving baby’s portion before adding for the rest of the family.
Onion – A brown/yellow onion.
Garlic – A single clove of garlic. Substitute the garlic clove for 1 tsp minced garlic if needed.
Olive oil – For sautéing the onion and garlic.
Salt and pepper – Leave out the salt if serving to family under 12 months of age.
Pasta – Whatever variety is your favourite pasta.
How to make Pasta in Green Sauce
Thermomixer? This is a really easy pasta sauce to make in a Thermomix, with it chopping, cooking and blending the sauce for you. First, grate the parmesan cheese and set it aside. Chop the onion and garlic, and then sauté in the machine. Add the peas, basil and spinach, and let it sit for 5 minutes to wilt. Cook the pasta on a stovetop and then drain, reserving some pasta water. Add the remaining sauce ingredients to the Thermomix, and blend. Then combine the cooked pasta with the spinach pasta sauce.
Conventional cook? Finely chop the onion and garlic. Sauté them in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Turn off the heat, and then add the peas, basil and spinach to the saucepan. Cover for 5 minutes for the spinach to wilt. Cook the pasta on a stovetop and then drain, reserving some pasta water. Transfer the spinach mixture to a blender, along with the remaining sauce ingredients and blend until smooth. Then combine the cooked pasta with the spinach pasta sauce.
See the recipe card below for ingredient amounts and detailed steps for both thermo cooker and conventional cooking methods.
Adapting green pasta sauce for babies and toddlers
This is a great green pasta recipe for toddlers and babies! If serving to a baby under 12 months, leave out the salt when making the sauce. You can then season the rest of the family’s servings later. Although babies can have a small amount of parmesan [2], you can also leave it out until after reserving baby’s portion if you like. Serve the spinach sauce over appropriately sized pasta shapes for your child.
Serving and storing green pasta sauce
Serve this Pasta in Green Sauce on its own for an easy, nutritious dinner, or as a side with grilled meat for a more complex meal.
You can store this pasta sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or freeze it for up to 3 months. When freezing, I recommend portioning it out for future pasta meals. Using ice cube trays to freeze small portions makes it easy to defrost just the amount you need for a quick, nutritious kid friendly dinner! When gently reheating, add just a dash of hot water to loosen the sauce.
Looking for more kid friendly pasta sauces? Try this Hidden Veg Pasta Sauce. It’s an easy and delicious way to boost your family’s vegetable intake! And great for making ahead and freezing.
If you make this Pasta in Green Sauce please leave a 🌟 star rating and a 📝 comment below. I love hearing how my recipes work for you and your family! Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest too for more healthy dinner recipes for family.
Happy cooking,
Chloe x
Pasta in Green Sauce
Category: Family MainsTap or hover to scale
Ingredients
- 25 g grated parmesan cheese (Thermomixers: block parmesan cut into 2cm/1 inch cubes if grating in machine)
- 1 brown/yellow onion peeled (Thermomixers: chopped into quarters)
- 1 garlic clove peeled
- 1 tbs olive oil
- 150 g baby spinach washed and drained
- 15 g basil leaves only
- 1/4 tsp salt for family over 12 months
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup frozen peas
- 1 tbs lemon juice
- 1/4 cup cooked pasta water
- 300 g pasta of choice
Thermo Cooker Instructions
- If grating, put the parmesan into the mixing bowl. Mill for 8 seconds, speed 9, MC on. Set aside in a small bowl.
- Cook pasta as per packet instructions on stovetop. Start making the sauce while the pasta cooks. Once al dente, drain the pasta and reserve the pasta water.
- Put the onion and garlic into the mixing bowl. Chop for 3 seconds, speed 7, MC on. Scrape down the mixing bowl.
- Add the olive oil. Cook for 5 minutes, 100°C, speed 1, MC off.
- Add the peas, spinach and basil, and put the lid with MC on the machine. Let sit for 5 minutes, so the spinach wilts.
- Add parmesan, lemon juice, salt and pepper, and pasta water. Chop for 15 seconds, speed 5, MC on. Scrape down the mixing bowl.
- Gradually increase speed to blend sauce for 1 minute, speed 7, MC on.
- Combine sauce with cooked pasta and serve. Garnish with extra basil leaves and parmesan if you like.
Conventional Instructions
- Cook pasta as per packet instructions on stovetop. Start making the sauce while the pasta cooks. Once al dente, drain the pasta and reserve the pasta water.
- Finely chop the onion and garlic.
- Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium high heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté for 5 minutes or until translucent. Add the peas, spinach and basil, and cover with a lid. Let sit for 5 minutes, so the spinach wilts.
- Transfer mixture to a food processor or blender, or use an immersion blender. Add parmesan, lemon juice, salt and pepper, and pasta water. Blend until smooth.
- Combine sauce with cooked pasta and serve. Garnish with extra basil leaves and parmesan if you like.
