Tiny Tummies Minestrone: Veggie Pasta Adventure!
A super soft and veggie-packed minestrone soup with tiny pasta shapes, perfect for introducing your little one to a rainbow of flavors and textures.
Ingredients
- 1/2 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 small carrot, diced very small
- 1/2 zucchini, diced very small
- 1/2 cup butternut squash or potato, diced very small (optional)
- 1/4 cup canned cannellini beans or red kidney beans, rinsed
- 1/4 cup small pasta (like ditalini or stelline)
- 1 clove garlic, minced (or 1/8 tsp garlic powder)
- 1 cup low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons crushed tomato or tomato sauce (no salt added)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- A pinch of dried basil or oregano (optional)
Instructions
Gather all ingredients and have them prepped - diced, rinsed, and measured.
Heat olive oil in a medium-sized pot over medium heat.
Add the finely chopped onion to the pot and sauté for 2 minutes, or until softened and translucent.
Add the diced carrot, zucchini, butternut squash/potato (if using), and minced garlic to the pot.
Sauté the vegetables for another 2 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
Pour in the low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth and water into the pot.
Add the crushed tomato or tomato sauce and stir well to combine all the ingredients.
Bring the soup to a gentle simmer.
Add the small pasta and rinsed cannellini or red kidney beans to the simmering soup. If using whole beans and concerned about skins, lightly mash them with a fork before adding.
Stir the soup well to ensure the pasta and beans are evenly distributed.
Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked through and the vegetables are very soft. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
If the soup becomes too thick during simmering, add a little more water to reach desired consistency.
Stir in a pinch of dried basil or oregano (if using) for added flavor.
Remove the pot from the heat and let the soup cool slightly before serving. Ensure the soup is warm, not hot, to avoid burns.
Serve warm, spoon-feeding the broth and offering the soft veggies and pasta pieces to your toddler. You can also offer soft bread for dipping.
Safety Notes
- Adult supervision required for all steps.
- Ensure vegetables are diced very small to prevent choking hazards.
- Check the temperature of the soup before serving to avoid burns.
- Monitor for any allergic reactions, especially when introducing new foods.
- If mashing the beans, ensure there are no hard pieces remaining.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 80 kcal per serving
Protein: 3g
Carbs: 12g
Fat: 2g