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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Lovely, grab-able grated-vegetable cakes. Suitable from 9 months.
16. Macaroni cheese with broccoli and cauliflower
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
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.
23. Vegetarian nuggets
Broccoli, cauliflower, peppers, carrots and sweetcorn, packed into pick-up-able crispy-coated chunks. Suitable from 11 months.
24. Spinach and parmesan pasta
A little creme fraiche and lemon makes this simple iron-packed pasta dish taste creamy and special. Suitable from 11 months.
25. Vegetable lasagne with green lentils
A lovely lentilly version of the Italian classic, with mustard and cayenne pepper perking up the cheese sauce. Suitable from 11 months.
26. Vegetarian sausages
Onion and carrots rolled in a cheesy breadcrumb coating. Makes 8 large sausages, so you freeze some for another day. Suitable from 11 months.
27. Pepper, broccoli and cheese pasta bake
A super-easy, oven-baked dish, with mushrooms and tomatoes and a melted cheese topping. Suitable from 11 months.
28. Quesadilla fingers
Grilled peppers, cheese and sweetcorn, with a touch of chilli, deliciously squished between folded tortilla. Suitable from 11 months.
