Alfredo sauce is typically a rich pasta sauce consisting of butter, cream, and cheese. Dairy products may be sources of different nutrients like vitamin D and calcium that help support proper bone growth and development for babies. (source: CDC)
Milk, milk alternatives, and milk products may be introduced to babies as early as 6 months old after they are introduced to other foods, so long as it is only an addition to their diet and does not replace breast milk or formula milk. (source: AAP)
Since commercially-made Alfredo sauce can be high in sodium, here are some homemade versions that you can try for your baby. As always please ensure that all precautions are taken with choking and other hazards, according to how well-developed your baby is, and age-appropriate feeding.
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Homemade Alfredo Sauce
This easy alfredo sauce is rich and creamy, a perfect side to the family’s light meals.
| 2 tablespoons | butter |
| 1 tablespoon | minced garlic |
| 2 ½ cups | heavy cream |
| 1 cup | parmesan cheese, freshly grated |
| Salt and white pepper to taste | |
| Pinch of nutmeg |
Instructions:
1. In a saucepan, heat up the butter until melted. Saute minced garlic until soft and translucent
2. Pour in heavy cream and cook until simmering. Add in grated parmesan cheese and cook sauce just until parmesan cheese is melted and the sauce is thickened.
3. Add a pinch of nutmeg. And season with salt and pepper. Turn off the heat. Do not cook to boiling to avoid the cream from splitting.
Note:
- Since this recipe contains dairy, it is best to consume or serve it immediately. You can store it in an airtight container, refrigerated for up to 3 days, and frozen for up to 2 weeks, but keep in mind that the texture of the sauce may be altered when it is refrigerated or frozen.
- To make the sauce lighter, use milk instead of cream and use less or omit the cheese.
- Babies can consume a recommended amount of 2 servings of dairy per day provided that they are not allergic or intolerant. (source: AAP)
- If your baby or toddler has adverse reactions to dairy, substitute cream, and cheese with nondairy milk and cheeses.
Chicken Alfredo Fettucine
This classic alfredo recipe can be served to babies and adults alike. No need to make separate dishes for your babies!
| 8 ounces | fettuccine pasta |
| 1 | boneless skinless chicken breast |
| Salt and pepper to taste | |
| 1 tablespoon | olive oil |
| 2-3 cups | homemade alfredo sauce |
| Parmesan for topping | |
| Parsley for topping |
Instructions:
1. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and reserve about 1 cup of pasta cooking water.
2. Prepare chicken, pound it with a mallet to flatten and tenderize the chicken breast. Season with a little bit of salt and pepper.
3. In a griddle pan, heat up the oil. Pan-grill chicken breast until golden brown, then flip to cook the other side. About 5-7 minutes per side or until the internal cooking temperature of the meat is at least 165F. Remove from the pan. Set aside to rest before slicing.
4. In a pan, heat up homemade alfredo sauce. Toss in cooked pasta noodles and add in some pasta cooking water to desired consistency.
5. Transfer cooked alfredo pasta to a serving plate, and top with grilled chicken slices, a sprinkling of parmesan, and parsley.
Notes:
- When introducing pasta to babies, remember to select pasta shapes that are flat, tubular, or wide-shaped. Avoid long pasta noodles as they can cause gagging or may be a choking hazard. Cut up noodles or have your babies hold and pick up their food for baby-led weaning. (source: CDC)
Vegan Alfredo Sauce
This vegan alternative to the traditional alfredo sauce is rich, flavorful, and creamy, you won’t even notice the difference!
| 1 cup | cashew nuts |
| 1 cup | hot water |
| 1 tablespoon | lemon juice |
| ½ cup | cauliflower florets |
| 2 cloves | garlic |
| Pinch of nutmeg | |
| Salt and pepper to taste |
Instructions:
1. Over a pot of boiling water, steam cashew nuts, garlic clove, and cauliflower until cauliflower becomes tender.
2. In a blender or food processor, add cashew nuts, cauliflower, garlic, hot water, lemon juice, and nutmeg. Blend until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Toss alfredo sauce with pasta of your choice, or as a topping for roasted vegetables.
Notes:
- You may select other vegetables and add it in the sauce like squash, sweet potato or beans.
- Cashews and other nuts in general are great sources of different nutrients and unsaturated fat or the “good” cholesterol, which is associated with lowering disease risk and promoting heart health. (source: WebMD)
Creamy Spinach Cannelloni
This filled pasta recipe is highly versatile and you can add/”hide” different vegetables in the filling to make it easier for the kids to try.
| 8 oz/ 18 tubes | Cannelloni pasta |
| 2 cups spinach | blanched then chopped |
| ½ cup | homemade alfredo sauce |
| 1 ½ cups | ricotta cheese/cream cheese |
| 1 piece | egg |
| Salt and pepper to taste | |
| 2 cups | homemade alfredo sauce |
| 1 cup | homemade marinara sauce |
| 1 cup | mozzarella cheese, grated |
Instructions:
1. In a bowl mix together 2 cups blanched spinach, ½ cup alfredo sauce, 1 ½ cups ricotta cheese, 1 piece egg, and salt and pepper.
2. Place filling ingredients in a piping bag. Pipe spinach ricotta filling into cannelloni pasta.
3. In a baking dish, spread 1 cup alfredo sauce and ½ cup marinara sauce, and arrange filled cannelloni pasta. Then top with the remaining alfredo sauce and marinara sauce. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top. Cover with aluminum foil.
4. Bake in a preheated 350F oven covered for 20-25 minutes. Remove cover then broil for 5-10 minutes or until cheese is browned and bubbly.
Notes:
- For a vegan alternative, use the vegan alfredo sauce recipe instead, and use vegan melting cheese.
- Spinach is extremely nutrient-dense and its mild flavor makes it versatile and can be added easily to different dishes. Spinach has been shown to help improve eye, heart bone and digestive health. (NutritionData, WebMD)
- Mozzarella may be risky depending on the baby’s age – see our babies eating mozzarella safely article for more info.
Alfredo Baked Zucchini
This casserole recipe is perfect to introduce to your baby and the whole family. Babies can also pick up the pieces of zucchini for baby-led weaning.
| 2 cups | homemade alfredo sauce |
| 4-5 pieces | zucchini |
| 1 cup | panko Japanese bread crumbs |
| 1 tablespoon | parsley, chopped |
| Salt and pepper to taste |
Instructions:
1. Wash zucchini thoroughly and slice into ¼-inch thick rounds.
2. in a baking dish/tray place zucchini, season with salt and pepper, and then drizzle with the alfredo sauce. Toss to coat the zucchini in the sauce. Sprinkle with panko bread crumbs and chopped parsley.
3. Bake in a 350F preheated oven for 30-40 minutes or until zucchini is tender.
Notes:
- You can make this recipe with other vegetables like squash, broccoli, cauliflower, etc.
- Zucchinis are loaded with vitamin a that supports eye health, vitamin C for immunity and healthy cells, vitamin b6 for proper brain development, and many more! (source: NutritionData)
Alfredo can be added to different dishes as a sauce or topping, this will definitely be a great addition to family meals for it is easy to prepare with only a handful of basic ingredients in a small amount of time.
| This article has been reviewed and approved for publication in line with our editorial policy. |