Baby and toddler recipes
🧡 Butternut, sage and pea baby risotto
A soft, creamy risotto of butternut squash, peas and a little sage, made with water instead of stock so it stays low in salt. Peas add plant iron and vitamin C, and a little parmesan adds flavour.
Makes 4 baby portions plus 2 adult portions
Ingredients
- 150g Risotto rice (arborio)
- 300g Butternut squash (peeled and finely diced)
- 80g frozen Pea
- 1/2 Onion (finely chopped)
- 3 leaves Sage (finely chopped)
- 15g Butter (unsalted)
- 15g Parmesan (finely grated, pasteurised)
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- about 900ml Water (hot)
Method
- Soften the onion in the oil and butter for 5 minutes.
- Add the squash and sage and cook for 3 minutes.
- Stir in the rice for a minute until coated.
- Add the hot water a ladle at a time, stirring often, for about 20 minutes until the rice is very soft and creamy.
- Add the peas for the last 4 minutes.
- Stir in the parmesan and mash baby's portion lightly.
Serving it to your baby
At 7 months mash or briefly blend so the peas are broken down and the rice is soft. From 9 months serve as is, or roll cooled risotto into small balls for finger food. Toddlers can have it as the family does.
For the rest of the family
Use low-salt vegetable stock for the adult pan if cooking separately, or season the grown-up portions with salt, pepper and extra parmesan.
Storing and reheating
Cool quickly (within an hour), then keep covered in the fridge for up to 2 days. Freeze in small portions for up to 1 months and defrost overnight in the fridge. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through, stir, then let it cool before serving. Never reheat more than once. Rice needs extra care: cool within an hour, keep in the fridge for no more than 1 day, and reheat only once until steaming hot.
Weaning with OBubba
Plan meals and log what your baby loved.
OBubba keeps a record of every food your baby has tried and spots the allergens for you, so you always know what is next. Free to download.
Questions parents ask
Can babies eat risotto?
Yes. Risotto rice cooks to a soft, sticky texture that is easy for babies. Make it with water or homemade unsalted stock rather than stock cubes.
Is parmesan safe for babies?
Pasteurised parmesan is fine in small amounts. It is quite salty, so a little grated in goes a long way.
OBubba gives general information based on UK guidance. It is not medical advice and does not diagnose anything. Every baby is different. If your baby has a known allergy, severe eczema or a medical condition, speak to your doctor or health visitor before starting solids. Learn baby first aid, and in an emergency call your local emergency number (999 in the UK).