Today, we’re excited to share a fantastic recipe that combines the goodness of protein-rich tuna, wholesome pasta, and a medley of flavors, all in one delectable dish: Tuna Pasta Bake Baby Led Weaning Recipe.
Tuna, with its mild taste and tender texture, makes it an ideal protein choice for your tiny tot. Paired with pasta, this dish offers a comforting and easy-to-handle meal that will have your little one eager to self-feed.
As you embark on this journey with your baby, we’re here to guide you through the simple steps of preparing this wholesome Tuna Pasta Bake. Let’s dive in and discover how to create a delicious dish that will make mealtimes an exciting and nutritious experience for both you and your little one.
The benefits of offering tuna to your baby
Tuna is an excellent source of lean protein, which supports muscle growth and repair. Tuna is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, particularly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which promote heart health by reducing inflammation, lowering blood pressure, and improving cholesterol levels.
These fatty acids also support brain function and are essential for cognitive development. Additionally, tuna is a good source of essential minerals like selenium, which acts as an antioxidant, and vitamin D, which aids in calcium absorption and bone health.
Including tuna in your baby’s diet can contribute to a balanced and nutritious eating plan.
In short, tuna is:
- Full of healthy protein
- Good for the heart
- Tuna is a great source of Vitamin B12 and folate
- Contains Omega-3 fatty acids which aid growth and development
Why offer pasta to your baby?
Pasta is such a versatile ingredient, you can make such a huge range of different meals with all sorts of tastes using vegetables, herbs and spices to give baby that flavour sensation.
If you’re looking for a quick lunch or evening meal, boiling up some pasta and throwing it together with a quick baby led weaning pasta sauce recipe couldn’t be any simpler!
More baby led weaning pasta recipes:
ADDING A FEW EXTRA INGREDIENTS
You can of course add some extra ingredients to make this recipe even tastier – a good idea if you’re serving it to adults too.
A clove of garlic, some basil leaves, mozzarella chunks or a dollop of Dijon mayonnaise are all excellent additions to this recipe. It can also be served upon a bed of spinach leaves, if you’re looking to increase the number of greens in the recipe.
What type of pasta is best?
During my days of baby led weaning two babies, I think I’ve probably tried every common type of pasta including:
- Spaghetti noodles
- Tagliatelle
- Rigatoni
- Fusilli
- Penne
- Ravioli
- Lasagne
- Macaroni
- Tortellini
- Farfalle
For this recipe I used Rigatoni as the tubes are super easy for baby to pick up.
Our favourite baby led weaning products
Can you offer canned tuna to your baby?
The NHS states that canned tuna can be used as part of a balanced and healthy diet for your baby, however that choice is down to you. Canned tuna can contain mercury and for this reason, some nutritionists will say it’s not safe for children under the age of two. I advise you to do your own research and decide if you should offer canned tuna to your baby or not.
Canned tuna is a great option for lazy Mums like me who want to cook simple recipes. Because it’s already cooked and has a long shelf life, it’s something that can be kept in the cupboard for ages and used whenever necessary!
Tuna Pasta Bake Baby Led Weaning Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 tin of tuna
- 40 grams pasta
- 20 grams grated cheese
- For the cheese sauce:
- 1 tbsp flour
- knob butter
- 50 ml milk
- 30 grams of cheddar
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions (usually 12 minutes boiling on the hob)
- Meanwhile, in a saucepan over medium heat, melt a knob of butter, then add the tablespoon of flour and stir until a roux forms. Pour in the milk and whisk continuously, adding in the 30 grams of cheese until fully melted and your cheese sauce has formed.
- When the pasta has cooked, preheat the oven to 200C (180 fan) and add the pasta to a baking dish, pour over the cheese sauce then add half a tin of tuna.
- Mix thoroughly with a spoon and then top with extra grated cheese.
- Bake in the oven for 12 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbling.
- Leave to cool completely before serving to your baby.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
2Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 295Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 66mgSodium: 324mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 0gSugar: 2gProtein: 18g
Author: Nicola Hughes
Nicola has weaned both of her boys using the baby led weaning method. She loves nothing better than creating simple recipes that anyone can recreate, using as few ingredients as possible. All of her recipes have been tried and tested by both Dexter and Felix and have their seal of approval!