Toddler-Friendly Fresh Vegan Pesto Bowl

When you’re a plant-based vegan toddler mama it can be doubly challenging to find easy plant-based meals that everyone will love while still providing the essential nutrients your growing little one needs. 

Enter the Fresh Vegan Pesto Bowl.

It’s FAST… because toddler mamas don’t have time for anything else.

You haven’t had vegan pesto like this before!

This unique but simple recipe has the nutrients and fats your little one needs:  rich in protein, healthy fats, vitamin B12, iron, fiber, complex carbs, omega 3 essential fatty acids.

Most importantly, it’s seriously yummy!

But don’t take my word for it. Ask Savvy (pictured above).

Ingredients

• 2 cups frozen peas, thawed (no need to cook)

• 1/3 cup fresh basil leaves

• 3 cloves fresh garlic

• 1/4 cup raw walnuts or cashews OR for nut-free, use 1-2 tbsp sunbutter

• 3 tablespoons lemon juice

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1/4 cup nutritional yeast

• 1 teaspoon salt

• water (used to thin pesto if it’s too thick)

• 3 cups cooked whole wheat spaghetti

Optional Ingredients

• 1 jar vegan marinara sauce

• 1 package frozen vegan meatballs

Directions

• Blend all ingredients, except water and spaghetti, in a blender or food processor until mostly smooth. If it’s too thick, add a little water at a time until it’s just right. Remember, for pesto it’s good to have a little texture.

How to serve:

• For toddlers, mix pasta with pesto and serve in a toddler-friendly bowl.

• For bigger people serve pasta in bowl, and add pesto over the top. Delicious with a sprinkle of cayenne (if you like spicy like I do).

Optional

• Warm up vegan marinara sauce and have a combo bowl 1/2 pesto and 1/2 marinara side-by-side on top of the pasta (my favorite). This might be messy for toddlers, but it’s yummy and nutritious.

• For a heartier meal, serve with your favorite vegan meatballs. You can bake them while the pasta cooks.

• This goes well with steamed broccoli or a side salad and garlic bread.

Nutrition info…this recipe is a good source of:

protein

healthy fats

vitamin B12

iron

fiber

complex carbs

omega 3 essential fatty acids

I’d LOVE to hear from you!

Please drop me an email below, and let me know if you’d like more easy toddler-friendly vegan recipes. Tell me what kind of recipes you need!

Smiles,

Heidi