Fussy Toddler Italian Pasta Salad

By Aileen Cox Blundell

Is your toddler or child a fussy eater? Hold your hand up if you’ve had this struggle! If that is the case you definitely are not alone! I know so many kids who won’t eat anything other than chicken fingers and pizza. It can be so disheartening when your little one just won’t eat, especially if you love to cook or just love to eat haha! This Italian pasta salad recipe is specifically made so that fussy children might enjoy this recipe! 

Some quick tips on feeding your fussy toddler

I have heard and read in many an article that a child’s food preferences are usually made up by the time they reach five years old. This is why it’s incredibly important to try and give our little babies tons of variety in their diet at an early age. I find that the more a child is exposed to different types of fruits and veggies the more keen they are on them. Which makes them want to explore the wonderful world of food! Even just letting them get a taste of different types of healthy fruits and veggies is a great way to let them explore their likes and dislikes. The different textures of foods can be a very exciting for little ones. But the opposite can be true too!

This super simple Italian pasta salad is a great option for your fussy toddler. Why you may ask? It combines old familiar ingredients like pasta (what  kid doesn’t love pasta?!) with possibly some newer ingredients and herbs like basil and olives. One tip for feeding fussy toddlers is when trying to introduce them to new foods, always pair the new food with a familiar one. This is a great way to introduce a new food! Because they already love a portion of the recipe it makes it easier to want to try the new parts!

This pasta salad is also a fun one to try and make with your kiddos. Making food fun for your toddler is another great way to try and curb their pickiness with the dish. Including them in the cooking process makes them feel a new sense of appreciation for the recipe and usually includes them wanting to try different portions of the meal even before it’s all put together! 

Such an easy make ahead meal!

Prepare this Italian pasta salad ahead of time for a quick and easy lunch or side dish for your toddler. It’s so easy to prepare and just gets better the longer it sits in the fridge! The pasta shells soak up the homemade Italian dressing as well as the olives, tomatoes, and mozzarella. 

If you have a fussy toddler who doesn’t want to eat anything you place in front of them I hope the opposite is the case for this super simple Italian pasta salad. Let me know in the comments your favorite fussy toddler tips!

Aileen,

XOXOXO

Fussy Toddler Italian Pasta Salad

3 from 3 votes

Prep: 10 minutes minutes

Cook: 10 minutes minutes

Total: 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 Serves adults and children

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This Italian pasta salad recipe is a perfect meal for your fussy toddler. Not to mention it’s super easy to prepare and oh so yummy!

Ingredients

• 350 g pasta shells
• Drizzle olive oil
• 250 g cherry tomatoes
• 1 pack mixed olives
• 20 g basil leaves
• 125 g Buffalo Mozzarella 1 pack
• Italian Dressing
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons red wine or balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons water
• ¼ clove garlic crushed
• Basil leaves reserved from pasta
• Black pepper

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Method

• Cook the pasta as per the pack instructions, then drain and toss with a light drizzle of olive oil. Leave aside to cool fully. 
• When ready to make the salad, add the pasta to a large serving bowl. 
• Quarter the tomatoes and olives and add to the bowl along with 3/4 of the basil leaves roughly chopped. 
• Cut the mozzarella into cubes, then toss all of the mixture together.
• To make the dressing, add all of the dressing ingredients to a jar along with the remaining basil leaves which you need to finely chop. Put the lid on the jar and shake vigorously.
• Toss the salad with the dressing, then sprinkle over a little extra black pepper to serve.

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Recipe Notes & Tips

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