Spinach Pasta Recipe | Kids Pasta Recipes | Kids Lunch Box Ideas

      Spinach pasta another one of a very easy kids favorite meal.I remember the day I made this for my daughter, she was begging me to do this the next day for her lunch box.My Little one is not so choosy though but nowadays she wants to choose her lunch.she is like "I don't want idli, chutney.No this, not that etc..".So I need to find a way to feed her favorite which is healthy and filling too.

      I rarely give her Cheese pasta to lunch.It will get cold and will become dry and also there is no way to heat the meal.So making beetroot sauce ,pizza sauce or spinach sauce will keep the pasta wet. In turn it's a good option to include some vegetable in their diet in a way they like.I usually include some nuts to make the pasta creamy and rich.  
       Making Indian Style spinach pasta can be really quick.Cook the pasta to perfection and spend just 5-10 minutes for preparing the sauce.So cool right? This will be great for kids age 3-5. They don't need a sandwich with greens and some nuts in a snack box.This two in one meal will satisfy their hunger and will nourish them at the same time.My number one choice in sauce will always be greens and nuts(my recent favorite).

Notes:

•  If you are diet conscious get a whole wheat pasta instead of regular.
• The more the sauce, the dish will stay wet and is good while eating after a little long time.
• Don't throw the pasta cooked water.Reserve some and Use it while grinding.This makes the paste thick and creamy.
• Because it's kids i used less spice.If cooking for adults use more red chili flakes/pepper powder.

Step by step picture recipe for making easy creamy spinach pasta:

• Wash spinach leaves and chop it.My leaves were little, so I didn't chop it.
• Chop onions and garlic.Wash green chilies.
• In a Kadai, add tsp of oil and add onion, green chilies.After few minutes, add garlic pods.Cook until the onions are cooked fine.

• add little salt and cook until the onions are cooked fine.Next, add spinach leaves and cook it for a minute or so.

• Add almonds and saute for a few seconds.Switch off.Cool, and grind to a smooth paste.Use reserved pasta water for grinding.In another Kadai, add 1 tbsp oil.Add ground paste, Required salt and water.

• Let the paste gets cooked for few minutes until raw smell goes off or until the paste becomes thick.Add cooked pasta to it and give a quick toss.You can add pepper if you wish.

• Meal is ready.Serve with grated cheese on top.

   

Some other choice of greens Cheese spinach sandwich, Palak Paratha,Palak Puri

                                            How to make easy spinach pasta recipe

                     A creamy rich kids favorite lunch.

 Cuisine:  Indian   Category: Lunch/Dinner   Prep time:10 minutes
Cook time:20-30 minutes(including pasta cooking time) Total Time:30 minutes Serves: 2   

Ingredients:

• 2 -3 cups of cooked pasta.
• salt as required.
• 1/4 cup pasta cooked water.
• required pepper.
• cheese for garnish(optional).

To saute and grind:

• 6-7 almonds/badam.
• 1 1/2 handful of spinach leaves/palak leaves.
• 1 onion/vengayam.
• 1/2 green chili/pacha milagai.
• 1 garlic pod/poondu.

Method:

• Wash spinach leaves and chop it.My leaves were little, so I didn't chop it.
• Chop onions and garlic.Wash green chilies.
• In a Kadai, add tsp of oil and add onion, green chilies.
• After few minutes, add garlic pods.Cook until the onions are cooked fine.
• Next, add spinach leaves and cook it for a minute or so.
• Add almonds and saute for a few seconds.Switch off.
• Cool, and grind to a smooth paste.Use reserved pasta water for grinding.
• In another Kadai, add 1 tbsp oil.
• Add ground paste, Required salt and water.
• Let the paste gets cooked for few minutes until raw smell goes off or until the paste becomes thick.Add cooked pasta to it and give a quick toss.You can add pepper if you wish.
• Spinach pasta is ready.Serve with grated cheese on top.