Baby and toddler recipes

🧀 Chicken and broccoli pasta bake

A cheesy, creamy bake of pasta, chicken and broccoli in a simple homemade white sauce. Soft, comforting and easy to batch cook.

From 9 monthsPrep 15 minCook 30 minFreezes wellContains: Gluten, Milk

Makes about 4 baby portions plus 2 adult

Ingredients

Method

  1. Heat the oven to 200C (180C fan). Cook the pasta for 2 minutes longer than the pack says, adding the broccoli for the last 4 minutes. Drain.
  2. Poach the chicken in simmering water for 10 minutes until cooked through, then shred.
  3. Melt the butter, stir in the flour for a minute, then whisk in the milk gradually until thick and smooth.
  4. Stir in most of the cheese and the nutmeg.
  5. Mix the pasta, broccoli, chicken and sauce and spoon into a dish. Top with the rest of the cheese.
  6. Bake for 15 minutes until bubbling.

Serving it to your baby

From 9 months, offer the fusilli and broccoli florets as finger food with the shredded chicken. For younger babies, chop finely and mash with a little extra milk.

For the rest of the family

Season the adult portion with salt and pepper and add a sprinkle of chilli flakes or crispy breadcrumbs.

Storing and reheating

Cool quickly (within an hour), then keep covered in the fridge for up to 2 days or freeze in baby portions for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge, reheat until steaming hot all the way through, stir well and let it cool before serving. Never reheat more than once.

How to introduce gluten · How to introduce milk

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Questions parents ask

Can babies have cheese sauce?

Yes. Homemade cheese sauce using pasteurised full-fat cheese and whole milk is fine from 6 months. Cheddar contains some salt, so keep amounts modest.

Is broccoli a choking risk?

Steamed until soft, broccoli florets are a great finger food. Avoid raw or hard pieces.

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).