Include in Print View:

Lentil Pasta for Toddlers: One-Pot Comfort Food

A bowl of lentil pasta for toddlers, topped with a dollop of yogurt, parmesan, and onion strings.

Comfort food doesn’t need to look good to feel good. Case in point: this hearty lentil pasta for toddlers, cooked to a fine and friendly squish that makes it more of a stew than a pasta or bean dish. NGL: it ugly. But it has the texture of a soft blanket or a warm hug; your child will get “it” immediately. Ugly delicious, you might call it.

Added bonus: it is endlessly flexible and effortlessly constructed. Our take has both kid-friendly touches (alphabet pasta, a dollop of yogurt) and grown-up bone-throws (we drop a pho seasoning cube in it to give some life); yours can be anything you want it to be, from the seasonings you use to the pasta shape you thrown to the toppings you offer. Gets to the table in 30 minutes; warms bones and wins smiles instantly.

Ingredients Overview

This lentil pasta for toddlers uses a short list of pantry staples and flexible add-ins. Brown lentils and small pasta shapes cook together into a soft, stew-like base, while optional aromatics and seasonings let you steer the flavor mild or more grown-up. Toppings—yogurt, Parmesan, lemon, or onion strings—are added at the end so each bowl can be customized to the eater.

Steps

  • Rinse the lentils well, then optionally soften diced onion in oil before blooming fennel seeds.
  • Simmer the lentils in water or a water-broth mix with a seasoning cube until just tender, then add pasta directly to the pot and cook until everything reaches a soft, cohesive texture.
  • Adjust thickness with splashes of water as needed, season to taste, and finish with your preferred toppings right before serving.

FAQ

Is lentil pasta for toddlers easy to chew?
Yes. Both the lentils and pasta are cooked until very soft, creating a stew-like texture that’s easy for toddlers to manage with minimal chewing.

Can I make this without a seasoning cube?
Absolutely. Use part or all broth instead of water and season lightly with salt at the end if needed.

What pasta shapes work best?
Small shapes like alphabet pasta, ditalini, stars, or tiny shells work best. Larger shapes don’t break down as evenly.

Can I add protein or vegetables?
Yes. Sausage coins, shredded chicken, carrots, potatoes, or other long-cooking vegetables integrate well without changing the texture.

Can this be made soupier?
Yes. Add two additional cups of water during cooking for a brothier, more soup-like result.

Recipe Links

What to Serve With Lentil Pasta for Toddlers

More Toddler-Friendly Recipes Like This

  • Lentil Soup -- Silky rich soup version that's restaurant-worthy
  • Toddler Chili -- Another hearty stew that's been adapted to the toddler palate
  • Pumpkin Pastina -- More pasta-into-stew possibilities with this risotto-style pumpkin dish
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Total Time 35 mins
Cooking Method:
Cuisine:
Meal(s):
Difficulty: Beginner
Servings: 8
Calories: 275
Description

This lentil pasta for toddlers is a cozy, one-pot meal with soft noodles and lentils cooked into a comforting, stew-like texture. Finished with yogurt, Parmesan, or favorite toppings, it’s flexible, forgiving, and weeknight-easy.

Ingredients
  • 1 cup Brown Lentils
  • 1 small Onion (optional)
  • 1 spoonful fennel seeds (optional; dill seed works well, too)
  • 1 cube Pho Seasoning (bouillon cube also works; if you have neither, replace half of the water used–see Instructions for more–with broth)
  • 1 cup Alphabet Pasta (any small pasta shape–say, ditalini, stars, etc.--will do here)
    • Recommended Toppings
  • Parmesan
  • Lemon
  • Yogurt (plain, full-fat)
  • Onion Strings
Instructions
    Prep, Cook, and Assemble
  1. 1
    Rinse lentils until water running through them is clear.
  2. 2
    Optional: if using onion, dice into small pieces. Heat up a glug of oil in a medium-sized pot to Medium, then add in onions; cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Add in fennel seeds and cook for one minute.
  3. 3
    Add lentils to the pot, along with six cups of water, or three cups water and three cups chicken broth if using no additional seasoning. (Eight if you want a soupier broth.) Bring the water to a boil, then add flavor cube, if using; reduce heat to Medium Low and the water to a slow simmer, then cover and allow the lentils to cook for 15 minutes.
  4. 4
    Add pasta to the pot and cook uncovered until tender, roughly 9 minutes. Turn off heat and allow to sit
  5. 5
    Note: if too thick, add a splash of water or two at a time until desired consistency is reached. If you did not use additional seasoning in the broth, do a quick taste test and see if additional salt and pepper are needed before serving.
    6. Serve
  6. 6

    We top with a squeeze of lemon, a scoop of plain yogurt, a small mound of grated parmesan, and a few fried onion strings. If your child is not used to little brown circles–or anything, really–in his/her pasta, or if the visual of brown and white in the bowl before them is a wee bit uninspiring, offer tomato sauce, pesto, or other favorite noodle toppers.

    7. Adapt
  7. 7

    As noted in the directions, for a brothier/soupier take, add two more cups of water when boiling the lentils and pasta. For a protein boost, coins or chunks of sausage are a nice add-in; vegetables that take well to long cooks–say, carrots or potatoes–work well, too.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 8

Serving Size 1 small bowl with a dollop of yogurt

Amount Per Serving
Calories 275kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 4g7%
Sodium 175mg8%
Potassium 550mg16%
Total Carbohydrate 45g15%
Dietary Fiber 12g48%
Protein 14g29%
Calcium 80 mg
Iron 3.75 mg
Folate 120 mcg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Keywords: lentil pasta for toddlers, toddler lentil recipe, lentils for toddlers, toddler pasta recipe, one pot toddler meals, vegetarian toddler dinner, cozy toddler meals, soft foods for toddlers, toddler comfort food, easy weeknight toddler dinner, protein rich toddler meals, lentil stew for toddlers, pasta and lentils for kids
Read it online: https://newdadskitchen.com/recipe/lentil-pasta-for-toddlers-kids/
The recipe author and his then-infant son
Brad

Brad (the Dad) is the founder and Chief Recipe Officer of New Dad's Kitchen. His own cooking/feeding journey started humbly during his son's infancy, preparing and managing his son's bottle intake in order to support his wife; it has since blossomed into a full-on passion to feed his child and family delicious and healthy meals that can satisfy both a toddler and his very tired parents.