Tiny Tomato Pasta Stars (First Pasta Adventure)
Soft, tiny pasta shapes coated in a simple, no-salt tomato sauce, perfect for introducing pasta to little ones. This recipe uses small pasta like pastina or orzo and ripe tomato for a gentle, flavorful experience.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons small pasta (e.g., pastina, stelline, orzo, or finely broken spaghetti)
- 1 ripe plum tomato (or about 1/4 cup no-salt crushed tomatoes from a can)
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- A small pinch of dried basil or 1 fresh basil leaf (optional)
- Water Water
Instructions
Prepare the pasta: Bring a small saucepan of water (about 2 cups) to a rolling boil over high heat.
Cook the pasta: Add the small pasta to the boiling water. Stir gently to prevent sticking.
Cook until very soft: Cook the pasta until it is extra soft, about 1-2 minutes longer than the package directions. Pastina may take 5-6 minutes; orzo may take around 10 minutes. The goal is a very soft, almost mushy texture.
Drain and rinse (optional): Once the pasta is cooked, carefully drain it in a colander. You can rinse it under warm water to remove excess starch and prevent clumping.
Prepare the tomato: If using a fresh tomato, score the bottom with an X. Briefly submerge the tomato in boiling water for 30 seconds. Then, transfer it to a bowl of ice water. The skin should peel off easily. Peel the tomato and remove the seeds to reduce acidity (optional). Finely chop the tomato flesh.
Sauté the tomato (or warm canned): In a small skillet or saucepan, heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil over medium-low heat.
Cook tomato sauce: Add the chopped tomato to the skillet and cook for about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it breaks down into a soft sauce. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a tablespoon of water at a time to thin it.
Add basil (optional): Add a small pinch of dried basil or finely chopped fresh basil leaf to the tomato sauce during the last minute of cooking. Stir to combine. If using canned crushed tomatoes, simply warm them in the skillet with olive oil and basil for a couple of minutes.
Combine pasta and sauce: Add the drained, cooked pasta to the tomato sauce in the skillet.
Mix well: Stir the pasta and tomato sauce together until the pasta is evenly coated.
Adjust consistency: The mixture should be loose and saucy. If it seems too dry, add a small amount of water to achieve the desired consistency.
Cool and serve: Remove the pasta from the heat and let it cool to a warm (not hot) temperature. Test the temperature before serving to your little one.
Serve the pasta: Spoon-feed the pasta to your baby or place small portions on their high chair tray for them to explore. Be prepared for a mess!
Clean up: Clean baby's hands and face well after the meal!
Safety Notes
- Adult supervision required during cooking and feeding.
- Ensure the pasta is cooked until very soft to prevent choking.
- Check the temperature of the pasta before serving to avoid burns.
- Be aware that tomatoes can sometimes cause mild diaper rash due to acidity; clean baby's face and diaper area well after the meal.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 80 kcal per serving
Protein: 2g
Carbs: 12g
Fat: 3g