When starting solids, I am always looking for recipes that are both baby friendly and nourishing. This spinach avocado creamy sauce has quickly become a favorite in our house. It is smooth, flavorful, and filled with healthy fats and vegetables. The best part is that it comes together in just minutes, which makes it realistic for busy moms like me!
This recipe is perfect for baby led weaning because it coats pasta or soft vegetables with a creamy texture that babies can easily mash with their gums. Avocado provides healthy fats for brain development, spinach adds vitamins and iron, and the sauce sticks well to pasta shapes that are safe for six months and older!
The Nutritional Benefits
This sauce is packed with nutrients that are especially important for babies:
- Avocado provides healthy fats that support brain development and keep babies satisfied.
- Spinach is rich in iron, vitamin A, and vitamin C, which are essential during the first year.
- Olive oil adds extra healthy fat and helps with absorption of fat soluble vitamins.
- Optional garlic and lemon bring flavor for older babies and adults, making this a recipe you can truly share at the table.
Serving nutrient dense sauces like this helps expose babies to new flavors while ensuring they are meeting their needs for growth and development.
How I Served It
I paired this sauce with whole wheat penne pasta for my baby. She held the pasta with her palms, chewed on it, and even managed to tear off small pieces with her gums. She spit out what she could not handle, which is an important part of learning how to eat. The creamy sauce clung to the pasta, making each bite flavorful and nutritious.
Tips for Success
- If your baby is sensitive to texture, blend the sauce extra smooth.
- For family meals, add garlic, lemon juice, or a sprinkle of parmesan after removing a portion for baby.
- Always sit with your baby during meals and offer water with pasta.
Final Thoughts
This spinach avocado creamy sauce is a simple way to add vegetables and healthy fats to your baby’s diet while introducing wheat through pasta. It is quick to prepare, naturally creamy, and loved by both babies and parents. Recipes like this make baby led weaning less stressful and more enjoyable because they are nourishing for the whole family.
Spinach Avocado Creamy Sauce for Baby Led Weaning
Ingredients
- 1 ripe avocado
- 1 cup fresh spinach
- 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small clove garlic optional (for older babies or adults)
- 2 to 3 tablespoons water or breast milk/formula for thinning
- A squeeze of lemon juice optional, helps preserve color
Instructions
- Wash and dry the spinach. If you want a very smooth sauce, lightly steam the spinach for one to two minutes until wilted, then cool.
- In a blender or food processor, combine the avocado, spinach, olive oil, and water or milk. Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Add more liquid as needed until you reach your desired consistency. The sauce should be thick enough to cling to pasta but thin enough for a baby to manage.
- Toss with cooked pasta such as penne or fusilli. For babies six months and older, larger pasta shapes are safest because they are easier to hold and mash with gums.
- Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
