How to Make the Perfect Soft Pasta Stars
Italian · Easy · 20 min · 4 servings
Tiny soft cooked pasta stars tossed in a light sauce make a wonderfully fun kid friendly recipe that babies love during baby led weaning. Cooked well beyond al dente to achieve the softest possible texture, these little pasta shapes are perfect for developing babies self feeding skills.
Why this recipe works
This Soft Pasta Stars recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 20 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 130 calories with 5g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 5 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 1 cup stelline or small star pasta
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 0.5 cup butternut squash puree unseasoned
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of unsalted water to a boil and add the stelline pasta. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes longer than the package directions, approximately 12 to 15 minutes total, until the pasta is very soft and easily smooshed between your fingers.
Step 2: Make the Sauce
While pasta cooks, melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir in the butternut squash puree and ricotta cheese, mixing until smooth and warmed through. Add olive oil to make it extra creamy and easy to grab.
Step 3: Combine and Coat
Drain the pasta, reserving a splash of pasta water. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss gently to coat every piece. Add a tiny splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
Step 4: Cool and Serve
Spread the pasta on a highchair tray and allow to cool to a safe temperature. The sauce coating helps the pasta be less slippery and easier for baby to pick up during self feeding.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- stelline pasta → orzo or any very small pasta shape cooked very soft
- butternut squash puree → sweet potato puree or plain unseasoned pumpkin puree
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Cooking pasta to al dente which is far too firm and poses a choking risk for young babies
- Using a salty sauce or adding salt to pasta water which is not appropriate for babies under 12 months
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 130 calories, 5g protein, 24g carbs, 3g fat, 1g fiber.
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