Ham pasta bake

This easy pea, ham and mushroom pasta bake will make a popular dinner. Experiment with different types of pasta for your baby to explore.

Age: 12 months and older
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 25 mins
Portions: 4 (approx)

Ingredients

• 210g white pasta
• 5 mushrooms (75g)
• 1 ½ medium onions, peeled (75g)
• 1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed
• 1 tbsp fresh basil
• 100g ham
• 1 tsp vegetable oil
• 200g tinned chopped tomatoes (½ tin)
• 2 tsp tomato puree
• 80g frozen peas
• 100ml water

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180C, 350F, gas mark 4.
2. Bring a pan of water to the boil, cook the pasta for 10 to 12 minutes until soft. When cooked, drain and place in an oven proof dish, make sure the pasta only half-fills the dish.
3. Chop the mushrooms, onions, garlic, basil and ham.
4. Heat the oil in a saucepan and add the onions, garlic and mushrooms until softened (2 to 3 minutes).
5. Add the chopped tomatoes, tomato purée, water and peas – stir, cover and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes (until the sauce has thickened slightly).
6. Add the basil and diced ham. Pour the sauce over the pasta and mix well. Place in the oven for 10 minutes.
7. Allow to cool. Serve a quarter in a bowl with fork or spoon.

Weaning tip
Give your baby sips of water with their meals – rather than sweet drinks which can cause tooth decay.