28 of the best vegetarian baby recipes
Whether you're raising your baby as a vegetarian, or 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...
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.
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Authors
Janet is mum to two children aged 6 & 9 and a great-Aunt too. She began writing early, penning her first book aged just 7. She has published 2 books