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.
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!
