Everyone knows vegetables are a key part of a healthy, balanced diet. But sadly, most toddlers beg to disagree. Solve your feeding problem with these yummy vegetable recipes for children.

Veggie Packed Pasta

Ingredients:

• 2 cups macaroni pasta or small shell pasta
• 1 jar (24 0z.) spaghetti sauce
• ¼ cup grated cheddar cheese
• ¼ cup low-fat cream cheese
• 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
• 1 tbsp. olive oil

Procedure:

1.)    Boil pasta according to instructions.

2.)    Add pasta to a large bowl and mix in shredded cheddar cheese and olive oil.

3.)    Blanch frozen mixed vegetables.

4.)    Using a blender or food processor, add cream cheese, sauce and vegetables. Blend well until the mixture is thick.

5.)    Mix sauce with pasta and serve.

Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Ingredients:

• 2 to 4 pieces of zucchini
• 2 tbsp. oil
• Your toddler’s choice of vegetable (bell peppers, eggplant, squash, tomatoes, onions and mushrooms are good choices)
• ¾ cup Parmesan cheese
• Bread crumbs (for toppings)

Procedure:

1.)    Boil zucchinis for 1 ½ minutes or until tender. Set aside to cool.

2.)    Once cooled, slice the zucchinis in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to take out the flesh.

3.)    Pre-heat a pan and put 2 tablespoons of oil. Add the sliced zucchini flesh and your choice of vegetable.

4.)    Ask your toddler to stuff the zucchini shells with the sautéed vegetables and top with Parmesan cheese and bread crumbs.

5.)    Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

Mini Meatballs

Ingredients:

• 500 g lean ground beef, minced
• ½ cup applesauce
• ½ cup shredded carrots
• ½ cup sliced spinach
• 1 small onion, grated
• 1 cup of mushrooms
• 1 egg
• ½ cup whole wheat bread crumbs
• Salt and pepper to taste

Procedure:

1.)    Combine applesauce, egg, carrots, spinach, onions, mushroom, salt and pepper in a bowl.

2.)    In a separate bowl, mix bread crumbs and minced ground beef. Fold egg into beef mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 24 hours.

3.)    Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees. Mold beef mixture in 1-inch balls.

4.)    Place meatballs on a foil-lined baking pan. Bake for 10 minutes.

5.)    Place small plastic forks on top of the meatballs. You may also serve a dip to make it tastier.

Pizza Potato

Ingredients:

• 3 potatoes
• ½ cup marina sauce
• 1 broccoli
• 1 carrot
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese (grated)
• 1 tsp olive oil
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup small basil leaves

Procedure:

1.)    Place potatoes in a baking sheet and add a pinch of salt and a teaspoon of oil. Microwave for 3 minutes.

2.)    As your potatoes are cooking, steam broccoli and carrots until tender then puree them on a blender and add marina sauce until smooth.

3.)    Slice potatoes in half and plump with a fork, pressing the insides of the potato to the sides forming a mini bowl.

4.)    Fill the potatoes with the mixture, sprinkle cheese on top and microwave for 3 minutes or until cheese melts.

Cheddar Broccoli Soup

Ingredients:

• ½ cup minced carrots
• ½ cup chopped rib celery
• ½ cup chopped onion
• 2 cans of chicken broth
• 1 box frozen chopped broccoli (drained and thawed)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 jar double cheddar sauce

Procedure:

1.)    Add oil in pot over medium heat.

2.)    Add veggies and cook for 3 minutes.

3.)    Put chicken broth and bring to a boil to high heat. Reduce to medium heat and boil for 10 minutes.

4.)    Place mixture in a blender and puree.

5.)    Return mashed mixture to the pot.

6.)    Add cheese and broccoli. Cook for 10 minutes and serve.

These vegetable recipes for children will make feeding vegetables easier for parents. Try them out and do not be surprised if your toddler asks for more.