Whatever-you-got Holiday pasta

Not just for holidays, this pasta is a great, simple meal that the kids will love.

Heading away on holidays soon? Here are some of our top tips for holiday eating:

1. Keep your meal schedule: Having a good mealtime schedule helps to determine when the kids are hungry and when they are bored or overtired. A meal time schedule can be flexible, but it is a great constant amongst the holiday chaos and feeding the kids when they are hungry will mean the holiday is more relaxed for everyone.
2. Stay active: While there is often a good deal of time spent in the car or plane, the family is often on-the-go more than usual. Keeping active and providing lots of open space to run around helps compensate for any over-eating.
3. Fresh food is fast food: Take advantage of buffet fruit bowls or stop at roadside fresh food stands. You can use fresh fruits as a snack while in the car or between meals to keep up the fresh food.
4. Focus on variety: Sometimes you don’t have much choice with the food you are provided on holidays. Sometime it’s best to focus on the variety of food they are eating, it’s also a great time for your kids to try new foods in a non-confronting way.
5. Get creative: If you are having a really hard time trying to find a decent meal for the kids, it doesn’t hurt to ask the hotel or resort for an adapted meal.

Nutrition Note: If your baby or toddler loves pasta, make the most of it by stirring through a variety of veggies.  Fussy eaters may be more likely to give them a try when they’re served alongside one of their favourite foods.

This recipe was featured in the Spring 2014 issue of our Magazines. To find out more about our popular magazines or to purchase online see the links below:

Launch magazine 

Back to School Magazine 2014

Winter Warmers Magazine 2014

Spring 2014

Summer 2014

Annual 2015

Back to School 2015

Ingredients

• 1 tbso olive oil
• ¼ cup finely chopped onion
• 1 cup chopped ‘whatever-you-got vegetables’*
• 2 tbsp water
• ½ cup grated cheese
• 2 cups cooked pasta spirals
• *Vegetable suggestions: broccoli florets, cauliflower florets, grated carrot or zucchini, corn kernels, kale or spinach roughly chopped

Method

Step 1

Heat the oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until translucent. Add the cup of ‘whatever-you-got vegetables’ and water and cook for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender -

Step 2

Lower the heat, add the cooked pasta and stir through the cheese. Once melted and well combined, remove from the heat -

Step 3

Allow to cool just enough so that the cheese binds the mixture together slightly. You can then mash and spoon-feed for younger babies or let the older ones feed themselves -

Step 4

Tip: use whatever veggies you have on hand or buy small quantities perfect for this simple seasonal pasta -

Step 5

Storage: store in the fridge and consume within 24 hours.  -