First things first: This is not a thinly veiled baby food diet plan. Phew, glad we got that out of the way. Instead, it’s all about 12 delicious and nutritious ways for baby and the whole family to sit down together and eat the same foods. With options from breakfast to dessert, everyone will enjoy these homemade baby food recipes. As a nice bonus, the only specialty equipment you need is a blender or food processor; a tool that will come in handy for years to come!
1. Beef Tagine With Sweet Potato: This tagine is a fun way to introduce new tastes to your kiddo. Simply set aside a few scoops before blending the rest into baby food. Serve the former alongside fluffy couscous for a filling, healthy meal. (via Annabel Karmel)
2. Red Lentil Puree (Vegetarian): Transform a portion of this tasty lentil stew into a puree, while leaving the rest for the adults and older tots to enjoy. Serve the soup with a drizzle of oil, grated Parm and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. (via Buona Pappa)
3. Salmon, Quinoa and Vegetable Balls: Packed with whole grains, veggies and omega-rich salmon, these balls make terrific finger food for kiddos and adults alike. Plus, they can be easily made ahead of time and stored in the freezer for quick snackin’ or a light meal. (via The Nutrition Mama)
4. Slow Cooker Applesauce: Making applesauce at home couldn’t be easier when you put your slow cooker to use. Adjust the sugar and spice levels as you see fit. You can even use it in host of different recipes. While baby spoons it up plain and cooled, you can indulge in a piping hot bowlful topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream — it’s like a crustless apple pie, mmmm. (via A Zesty Bite)
5. Apricot Spice Cake With Brown Sugar Pecan Glaze: We don’t really recommend serving a slice of this cake made with store-bought baby food to your mini, but if you pick up an extra jar of the strained apricots for them to eat, you’ll all be on the same page flavor-wise. (via The Right Recipe)
6. Beef Stew for Baby: With three different stages to choose from — all made without added sugars or salt — this beef stew recipe really grows with your baby. Stage one may be a little plain for grown-up palates, but the final version is packed with seasonings that everyone is sure to love. (via Smart Nutrition)
7. Vanilla and Peach Quinoa: This fruit-sweetened, vanilla-scented oatmeal swap will go over well with your wee one. Add a splash of milk and squeeze of honey to make it worthy of a morning meal or an afternoon snack for everyone else. (via Teach. Eat. Love.)
8. Saffron Risotto for Tiny Tots: Beware — give your kids a taste of the most expensive spice (saffron) and soon they’ll be clamoring for caviar and gold-leaf-adorned cakes. Alright, that might be a stretch, but if you’re not ready to introduce them to wine-enhanced eats, swap it out with additional broth or water — it’ll still be delish for all. (via From My Dining Table)
10. Butterscotch Butternut Blondies: Baby gets to gobble up the leftover cinnamon- and ginger-dusted roasted butternut squash used in these brown butter blondies; not a bad trade-off, if you ask us. (via Delicious by Dre)
11. Chicken Stew: This stew comes together even more quickly if you have leftover (plain) rotisserie chicken around. Talk about a perfect weeknight meal for the whole fam. (via Love and Duck Fat)
12. Simple Bolognese: Serve this fine bolognese over teeny tiny pasta shapes for the kiddos, and a twirl of spaghetti for those with more refined motor skills. (via Food52)
What are some of your favorite baby food recipes that please both pint-sized and grown-up tastes? Share yours with us below!
Heather Sage
Heather Sage is a gluten-free recipe developer and freelance writer living in Orlando by way of the Silicon Valley. When she isn’t playing around with alternative flours in the kitchen, she can be found tackling DIY projects around the house or exploring her neighborhood. Check out her gluten-free recipe blog, A Sage Amalgam.
FAQs
19 Ideas For Easy Meals For Large Groups
- Taco Bar.
- Meatballs.
- Butter Chicken.
- Lasagna.
- Chili.
- Homemade Pizza.
- Baked Pasta.
- Skewers.
By age 1, babies should be eating the same foods as the rest of the family. It is good to start feeding your toddler modified versions of family meals beginning around 6 months of age. For example, if you are having roasted carrots at dinner, shred them for your young toddler and puree them for your baby.
How to make family meals baby friendly? ›
Since many lunch and dinner foods are interchangeable, these tips can be used whenever you're looking for baby-friendly meal ideas: “Deconstruct” tacos and sandwiches. Serve all the little parts (meat, tortilla/bread, shredded cheese, diced veggies) separately. This will make it easier for your baby to eat.
What foods are good for 12 month old babies? ›
You can expand your baby's diet to include soft foods such as yogurt, oatmeal, mashed banana, mashed potatoes, or even thicker or lumpy pureed vegetables. Eggs (including scrambled) are an excellent source of protein, as are cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, and avocado.
What is the cheapest food to make for a party? ›
20 Great inexpensive party food ideas
- Ham and cheese pinwheels. ...
- Mini spinach pies. ...
- Spaghetti bolognese. ...
- Baguettes with toppings (bruschetta) ...
- Egg, cheese, and ham skewers. ...
- Chicken pot pie. ...
- Cheese straws. ...
- Macaroni and cheese. You can make a few dishes of macaroni and cheese and serve it from warming trays.
8 Delicious Dinners That Feed A Crowd
- Classic Lasagna. ...
- Pulled Pork. ...
- White Chicken Chili. ...
- Sloppy Joes. ...
- Beef Stew with Carrots & Potatoes. ...
- Gail Simmons' Epic Spaghetti Pie. ...
- Moroccan-Style Brisket with Dried Fruit & Capers. ...
- The Ultimate Chili Recipe.
- Foods to avoid: Bread/Bread products, Granola, Chips, Crackers, Pizza, Rice.
- Foods to avoid: Dry, tough meats (bacon, hot dogs, sausage), sandwiches, peanut butter, non-pureed eggs, soups with chunks of meat/vegetables.
- Foods to avoid: Raw whole fruits/vegetables, dried fruits, salads.
Common pureed foods include:
Steamed skinless fish. Refried beans. Scrambled eggs. Cooked tofu.
At what age do you stop pureeing baby food? ›
Stage 3 (typically 10-12 months old, but may occur sooner): At this stage, you can slowly replace purees with soft, chewable chunks of food, and offer your baby more finger foods that they can pick up and feed themselves.
What not to do when making baby food? ›
Do not use raw un-pasteurized milk, raw eggs, honey or corn syrup.
Best Way to Make Baby Food
I've found that the easiest and most approachable way to make baby food is to simply use a blender. With fresh ingredients and a little water, breastmilk, or formula to thin it as needed, you can easily make your baby meals without investing in equipment you may not use very long.
What are family foods for babies? ›
Your baby doesn't need packaged snacks sold for babies younger than 12 months of age. Instead, use family foods with soft textures, such as fruits, vegetables, grated cheese, plain unsweetened yogurt, toast strips and unsweetened whole grain cold cereal. Cut foods into small pieces as needed.
Can a 1 year old eat pizza? ›
12 months old +:
If you feel confident in the child's biting and tearing skills, present a slice of pizza with the tip cut off (so it's not too floppy). Note that softer, thinner pieces of pizza can glom up in the mouth and cause some gagging.
What is a good eating schedule for a 12 month old? ›
The best schedule is usually one that includes three meals and two to three snacks, with eating opportunities spaced about two to three hours apart. It should fit with your tot's overall routine, including when she typically gets up, wakes from her nap and goes to sleep for the night, and whether she goes to day care.
What foods should be avoided at 12 months? ›
Toddlers between 12 and 24 months should avoid:
- foods with added sugars and no-calorie sweeteners, including sugar-sweetened and diet drinks.
- high-sodium foods.
- unpasteurized juice, milk, yogurt, or cheese.
- foods that may cause choking, such as hot dogs, raw vegetables, grapes, hard cheese, popcorn, and nuts.
Each adult will consume 1 pound of food total; children, about 1/2 pound. The more options you have, the less you need of each; decrease the main course portion sizes by 1 to 2 ounces if served on a buffet. Guests will always eat — and drink — more at night than during the day.
How many pounds do I need to feed 12 people? ›
Generally, an adult will eat about 1lb of food per seating. So if you are serving 4 portions of food, you need about 1/4 lb per person.
How many appetizers do I need for 12 people? ›
A good rule of thumb when working with your caterer on just how many hors d'oeuvres to choose is as follows: for 10 – 12 guests a minimum of 5 selections, 25 guests a minimum of 9 selections and for 50 guests, a minimum of 13 selections.
