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Get the recipe: 40 Family Dinner Ideas for Kids: Pumpkin Pasta

5 stars (12 ratings)
This pumpkin pasta is creamy and quick to make! It’s a true family favorite. Make this pasta, or any of these 39 other toddler and kid-friendly dinner recipes.

Ingredients 

  • 16 ounce pasta, regular, gluten-free, lentil, chickpea, etc. (any shape you like)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 cup veggie or chicken broth
  • 3-4 tbsp cream or canned coconut milk
  • 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
  • pinch nutmeg
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions 

  • Bring a large pot filled with water to a boil and cook pasta according to instructions on the package. Before straining, reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
  • Meanwhile, in a large saucepan pour in the olive oil and heat over medium heat. Add in the garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring often. Add in the pumpkin puree, tomato paste, and broth and bring to a simmer, stir until combined. Reduce heat to low and add in the cream, balsamic vinegar, nutmeg, and salt and pepper, stir and let simmer while pasta cooks.
    pumpkin sauce with a drizzle of cream in a skillet.
  • Strain pasta and transfer to saucpan of pumpkin sauce. Stir in the pasta, adding the reserved water in 1/4 cup increments to thin out the sauce. I used the entire 1 cup of water for the recipe in the pictures above.
    pumpkin pasta sauce with cooked pasta in a skillet.
  • Spoon into bowls and sprinkle with parmesan (if using).
    pasta and pumpkin sauce mixed together.

Notes

Age: great for baby-led weaning, toddlers, kids and adults – everyone will love this meal!
Storage: store leftover pasta in an air-tight container for 5 days in the fridge. The sauce can be stored for 5 days in the fridge or 3 months in the freezer. To defrost the sauce, simply leave it in the fridge overnight or place a frozen container of sauce in your sink filled with warm water, then heat on the stove.
To Make Vegan: use veggie broth and canned coconut milk. Skip the parmesan or use vegan parmesan.
To Make Gluten-Free: use any gluten-free pasta you prefer.
Cream or Coconut Milk: you can use either heavy whipping cream, half and half, or canned full fat coconut milk in this recipe.

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