Main meals15 min hands-on · 45 min total · 7 ingredients
Roast potatoes, broccoli & dip
Why it works for childrenDip it, try it separately, start small.
The ingredients bringProtein · Calcium · Fibre
Let’s make it
Family kitchen · Main meals
Mild bean & pasta minestrone
Pasta, beans and soft vegetables in one pan. A generous soup, little pieces and a simpler day.
- Hands-on
- 15 min
- Total time
- 30 min
- Base recipe
- 4 servings
Protein · Fibre · Beta-carotene
Why it works for children & what’s in itTimes are estimates for the base recipe. Larger quantities may take longer.
Step by step
0 / 5Here’s how.
Keep it simple today.
Cooked canned beans and tomatoes make the cupboard useful. Small vegetable pieces keep cooking time down.
What you can prepare ahead
To cook for two days, make the soup without pasta and cool quickly. Add pasta fresh while thoroughly reheating once the next day, allowing extra water.
Got interrupted? Tick off each step as you finish, so you can find your place again here.
If there is room for it today
Helping is lovely. Watching is fine too.
Your child can rinse the beans in a sieve and measure the dry pasta. An adult handles the hob and knife.
It does not have to be a family cooking project. It is fine to do it yourself today.
Good things for your family table
Why it works for children.
Small pasta shapes bring something familiar to a soft meal. The vegetables are well cooked. Mash beans for younger children without having to blend the whole soup.
The nutrients in these ingredients.
- Protein
- Here, from: White beans
A building block children need for growth and for making body tissues.
About this nutrient - Fibre
- Here, from: Beans, wholewheat pasta and vegetables
Parts of plant foods that help keep digestion working normally.
About this nutrient - Beta-carotene
- Here, from: Carrots
The body can turn it into vitamin A, which is important for vision, among other things.
About this nutrient
These notes refer to the ingredients in the base recipe. The amount on the plate depends on preparation, portion size and swaps. Variety across the week makes the difference.
Make it yours.
Small regular pasta works too. Softly cooked broccoli added at the end can replace courgette. Adjust cooking times and check the packet if using gluten-free pasta.
Feeling a little unsure?
Cook a few plain pasta pieces separately if needed, and offer them beside a small cup of soup. A full mixed bowl does not have to be the first step.
Keeping leftovers
Cool quickly in shallow containers and refrigerate within 1–2 hours at 5 °C or below. Eat within 2 days and reheat thoroughly once. Pasta absorbs more liquid as it stands, so add water when reheating.
For younger eaters
Designed for family meals from age 3, not as a weaning recipe. Always adapt shape and texture to your child’s abilities. Cook hard pieces until soft or grate finely; cut up small round foods. Stay with your child while they eat. For known allergies, check ingredients and substitutions individually.
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Our approach & sources
These recipes are ideas for family life with children aged 3 and up. Quantities are a guide, not a target to finish. Age, appetite and individual needs vary. Variety across the week matters; no single recipe covers every nutritional need.
Our general guidance draws on the recommendations below. These organisations have not reviewed or endorsed the individual recipes. Editing: Pureli.
Recipe development: Pureli.
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