39 easy-cook winter recipes for babies
Quick and healthy, warming winter pies, purees, pudding, curries, stews and pasta bakes that are suitable for babies from 6 months old
Brrr, it's cold outside! And nothing's nicer for little tummies (and adult ones) than a bowl or plate full of warming winter food. So, from comforting casseroles and (gently) spicy curries to stews, soups, hotpots and pies, we've pulled together for you the best of our winter recipes for babies.
We've made sure to include recipes for all ages, including some seasonal-veg purees for weaning beginners, as well as dishes such as korma, lasagne and jacket potatoes for more confident self-feeders. There are even a couple of fruity porridges and – of course – some delicious, treat-y puddings, too!
Here's our pick of the best easy-to-cook winter recipes for babies
1. Chicken with sweet potato, swede and carrots
A tasty 1st puree combining baked chicken breast with 3 different root vegetables. Suitable for babies from 6 months.
2. Spiced apple puree
Notes of nutmeg and cinnamon add a little wintry spice to a classic apple puree. Suitable from 6 months.
3. Courgette and cauliflower puree
A double-veg puree that's extra-tasty with a little bit of cheese grated over the top. Suitable from 6 months.
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4. Spinach and roasted carrot puree
Yes, it looks a bit 'muddy green' but babies don't mind – and the roasted carrot adds the most delicious hint of sweetness to the iron-packed spinach. Suitable from 6 months.
5. Cheesy cod with sweet potato
Steamed sweet potato works so well with poached (or microwaved) cod and melted cheese. Suitable for babies from 6 months.
6. Courgette, pea and kale puree
Super-simple, vitamin-rich veggie trio. To ring the changes a bit, you can substitute the courgette, peas or kale with broccoli, spinach or broad beans. Suitable from 6 months.
7. Aubergine and red pepper curry
An achingly easy-to-make veggie curry that tastes lovely with finger-food slices of pitta bread or naan. Suitable from 7 months.
8. Apple and cinnamon porridge
Jazz up a warming porridge breakfast with cooked fruit and a sprinkling of cinnamon. Suitable from 7 months.
9. Cheesy broccoli and cauliflower
A deliciously gooey, cheesy-veggie melt. Suitable from 7 months.
10. Banana porridge
Add extra flavour to porridge with banana, raisins and cinnamon. Suitable from 7 months.
11. Chicken and root vegetable mash
A lovely, warming root-veg and chicken combo, with cheese and just a dash of oregano. Works well with leftover cooked chicken, too. Suitable from 7 months.
12. Chicken and raisin korma
A mild and creamy chicken curry, made with coconut milk. Suitable from 8 months.
13. Baby's first chilli
A traditional Mexican chilli recipe that's deliciously baby-friendly and makes enough to feed the whole family. Suitable from 8 months.
14. Mediterranean fish stew
A veg-stuffed stew with tasty chunks of poached white fish or salmon. Suitable from 8 months.
15. Lamb rice casserole
A super-simple chuck-it-all-in-the-pot casserole that makes enough for the whole family. Suitable from 8 months.
16. Mini moussaka
A baby-friendly version of the classic Greek dish, with aubergine, tomatoes and 2 types of cheese. Suitable from 8 months.
17. Winter vegetable casserole
A super-tasty casserole with a crunchy cheese-and-breadcrumb topping. Makes enough for 6 to 8 servings. Suitable from 9 months.
18. Lancashire hotpot
You can use beef or lamb in this baby-friendly version of the traditional meat, veg and sliced potatoes dish (and there's enough to feed the whole family). Suitable from 9 months.
19. Mini fish pies with cheesy potato topping
Tasty cod pies with mashed swede-and-potato toppings. This recipe makes 6, so can batch bake and pop a few in the freezer. Suitable from 9 months.
20. Creamy beef pasta bake
Ricotta, herbs and breadcrumbs add a little twist to this meaty pasta bake. Suitable from 9 months.
21. Mini jacket potatoes with ratatouille
A lovely, rich, veg-packed sauce for baked spuds. Makes enough for 4. Suitable from 9 months.
22. Meat-free spaghetti bolognese
A speedy, soya-mince-based version of the classic spaghetti dish that should easily feed your child and at least 2 adults. Suitable from 9 months.
23. Traditional lasagne
Beef mince, Italian tomatoes, white sauce, pasta sheets, cheesy topping: heaven for under-1s! Makes loads, easy to puree or chop, and freezes really well. Suitable from 9 months.
24. Country vegetable casserole
There are 5 different kinds of veg in this casserole, and it has a lovely cheesy breadcrumb topping. Suitable from 9 months.
25. Chicken and lentil stew
A tasty, protein-packed stew: most babies find lentils super-easy to eat. Suitable for babies from 9 months.
26. Mild lamb curry recipe for baby
A fab feed-the-whole-family curry, with dried fruits, a touch of spice and coconut milk. Suitable for babies from 9 months.
27. Mild vegetable korma
A gentle korma, with green beans, cauliflower, carrot, dessicated coconut and ginger. Suitable from 9 months.
28. Tender beef stew with dumplings
A parsley-flavoured with yummy dumplings: makes enough for 6 to 8. Suitable from 9 months.
29. Pasta, carrot and lentil soup
Lentils add protein to this simple and easy-to-make soup. Suitable from 9 months.
30. Aubergine and tomato bake
A lovely veggie bake with melted mozzarella. Suitable from 10 months.
31. Wholesome bean casserole
Kidney beans, celery, garlic, carrots – with a little grated Cheddar on top. Suitable from 10 months.
32. Baked apple with raisins and fromage frais
A super-easy apple pudding, stuffed with cinnamon-y raisins, and served with lashings of fromage frais. Suitable from 10 months.
33. Superhero soup
One batch of this butternut squash and carrot soup will make up to 6 vitamin-packed servings. Suitable from 10 months.
34. Stewed rhubarb crumble
A tummy-pleasing stewed-fruit pud, with cinnamon and almond in the crumble topping. Suitable from 10 months.
35. Tuna pasta bake
The classic pasta bake – with sweetcorn and a touch of parsley. Suitable from 11 months.
36. Vegetarian lasagne with green lentils
A 40-minute veggie lasagne, with carrots, courgettes, mushrooms, tomatoes and lentils. Makes 6 servings. Suitable from 11 months.
37. Minced lamb bake
We love this tasty 'lasagne-light', with sliced tomatoes replacing the pasta and white sauce layers. Makes enough for a family of 6. Suitable from 11 months.
38. Mild chicken curry
Coconut milk, garlic and a cook-in sauce make this a deliciously speedy 20-minute meal. Suitable from 11 months.
39. Slow-cooked beef stew
A really tender stew, with notes of parsley and thyme, and lovely chunks of butternut squash and carrot. Suitable from 11 months.
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
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