28 of the best vegetarian baby recipes

A little work

Whether you're raising your child as a vegetarian, or just fancy some plant-based weaning inspiration, here's our pick of the best meat-free meals for babies

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By Janet Martin

Published: February 27, 2020 at 3:40 pm

Weaning babies can get all the energy and most of the nutrients they need on a vegetarian – or mainly vegetarian – diet, as long they’re eating a well-balanced variety of foods, including eggs and cheese.

As your baby starts to eat more solid food and progresses on to 3 meals a day, though, it’s worth knowing that because a vegetarian diet can be high in fibre, you child could feel ‘full’ before they have taken in enough calories and nutrients. The NHS advice is to offer plenty of high-calorie foods, such as hummus or full-fat yoghurt and to include lower-fibre carbs, such as white bread and rice, alongside wholemeal bread and wholegrain rice.

Here’s our pick of the best vegetarian recipes for babies aged 6 months to 11 months…

1. Butternut squash and carroty mash with thyme

butternut squash, carrot and thyme puree

A velvety combo of carrot, potato and squash, with a delicate touch of thyme. Works equally well with pumpkin or swede, instead of squash. Suitable from 6 months.

2. Courgette, pea and kale puree

Three gorgeous greens, blended to a smooth and tasty veggie puree. Suitable from 6 months.

3. Sweet potato and basil puree

Fresh basil leaves add a slightly peppery edge to this sweet and simple puree. Suitable from 6 months.

4. Tom Daley’s boiled egg and avocado soldiers

boiled eggs and avocado soldiers for babies

A quick, nutritious finger-food meal. If you can stop yourself nibbling it first… Suitable from 6 months.

5. Sweetcorn and sweet potato pasta sauce

A lovely, cheesy 3-veg (there’s cauliflower in there, too) sauce that’s super-tasty with penne or farfalle pasta. Suitable from 6 months.

6. Cheesy broccoli and cauliflower puree

A properly gooey veg-and-cheese combo. Makes enough for 6 portions. Suitable from 7 months.

6. Aubergine and red pepper curry

aubergine and red pepper curry for babies

A mild chuck-in-the-pan-and-simmer, baby-friendly vegetable curry. Suitable from 7 months.

8. Risotto with butternut squash

A gently textured baby dish, with tomatoes and cheese adding flavour to the squash and rice. Suitable from 8 months.

8. Cheesy sweetcorn fritters

Just the right size for small hands, these tasty fritters are great for encouraging self-feeding. Suitable from 8 months.

9. Chickpea and red pepper couscous

Couscous made with (low-salt) vegetable stock has a lovely subtle flavour that combines very tastily with chickpeas. Suitable from 8 months.

11. Baked sweet potato chunks

Finger-food par excellence, with a delicious dusting of paprika and herbs. Suitable from 8 months.

12. Vegetarian lentil cottage pie

A protein-packed, cheesy-potato-topped winner. Makes enough for 6 portions (or some grown-ups tucking in, too). Suitable from 8 months.

12. Meat-free spaghetti bolognese

meat-free spaghetti bolognese for babies

Made with soya mince, mushrooms, carrots, onion, peppers, tomatoes, herbs – and a sprinkling of cheese. Suitable from 8 months.

13. Roasted vegetable kebabs

Chunks of fresh veg, marinated in lemon, pepper and oil and then oven-roasted: yum! Delicious cold the next day, too. Suitable from 9 months.

14. Mild vegetable korma

Five different veggies, gently spiced with curry paste, ginger, coconut and garlic. Suitable from 9 months.

15. Mini jacket potatoes with ratatouille

mini-jacket-potatoes-with-ratatouille_48614

A super-nutritious multi-veg sauce that goes brilliantly with baked spuds– or even piled on toast slices. Suitable from 9 months.

15. Potato, carrot and courgette rosti

potato carrot and courgette rosti for babies

Lovely, grab-able grated-vegetable cakes. Suitable from 9 months.

16. Macaroni cheese with broccoli and cauliflower

macaroni-cheese-with-broccoli-and-cauliflower_48636

A classic dish, with extra veggie heft. Makes enough for 8 portions. Suitable from 9 months.

17. Winter vegetable casserole

A tasty 5-veg stew, with a cheesy breadcrumb topping. Suitable from 9 months.

18. Baby dhal with pitta

Coriander, turmeric and cinnamon add a classic dahl flavour to sweet potato and red lentils. Suitable from 10 months.

19. Rigatoni with five-veg sauce

rigatoni-with-five-veg-pasta-sauce_48651

A Mediterranean green, yellow and red veg fest, topped off with a pinch of organo. Suitable from 10 months.

20. Tortilla (Spanish omelette)

This one’s delicious hot or cold – and slices well into baby-finger-size strips for self-feeding. Suitable from 10 months.

21. Aubergine and tomato bake

A tasty 2-veg bake, with layers of melted mozzarella and a sprinkling of Cheddar on top. Suitable from 10 months.

22. Wholesome bean casserole

Kidney beans cooked with carrots, tomatoes, celery, onion and parsley. Lovely with a dollop of yoghurt or grated cheese on top. Suitable from 10 months.