Toddler Eats: Creamy Hidden-Veg Meatballs

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Squiggle really loves spaghetti bolognese; it’s her very favourite! So when I saw some meatballs on offer the other day I knew they’d be perfect for trying out a new recipe for a different take on mince and spaghetti.

The ‘twist’ to my recipe is the fruity, creamy sauce which has four hidden vegetables making it healthy for the whole family.

I used pre-made meatballs to cut down on time but you could make your own meatballs and chill in the fridge ready to add into the recipe.

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Serves: 1 baby and 2 adults generously

Ingredients:

  • vegetable oil for brushing the pan
  • 12 lean beef meatballs
  • 1 medium carrot, grated
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 red pepper, chopped
  • 1 courgette, grated
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp curry powder
  • ½ cup of unsweetened coconut milk
  • hot water from the kettle
  • 125g spaghetti (I used wholewheat)

Method:

  1. Brush the vegetable oil onto the frying pan and place over a medium heat. Add the onions and gently fry until softened and translucent.
  2. Add in the carrot, pepper, courgette, paprika and curry powder and continue to cook until all the ingredients are soft.
  3. Remove from the heat and transfer to a plastic jug or bowl. Allow to cool for a few minutes before adding in the coconut milk and blitzing with a hand blender. Add hot water until the sauce is the consistency that you like.
  4. Brush another pan with oil and once hot place in the meatballs. Brown them all over and allow to cook for around 10 minutes.
  5. Turn the hob to a low to medium heat and pour the sauce onto the meatballs. Allow to simmer gently.
  6. Meanwhile, add boiling water to a saucepan and add in the spaghetti. Cook as the packet instructs.
  7. Once the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce is bubbling, portion off your baby’s meatballs and sauce (9 month old Squiggle had two meatballs and a large spoonful of sauce).Allow this to cool.
  8. Season the remaining meatballs as you wish.
  9. Drain the pasta and serve along with the meatballs and sauce.
  10. Enjoy!

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We all really enjoyed this meal and the meatballs were the perfect size for Squiggle to pick up and eat.

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Squiggle finished her meal with some natural yogurt. Yum!

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