Spaghetti Bolognese has always been a favourite of the boys and so it was only natural for Ava to try it when weaning. The thing that I love about it is that you can change it up for their different stages of development. To start with I cooked the mince meat in chunks big enough so that her little hands could grip it in a fist. Once she moved on to pincer grip I made the lumps a bit smaller. Now at over one she can pick up even the tiniest bit of mince. The same with the pasta. I started with fusilli as it’s easy to get a good grip on and long enough to poke out of the top of her fist. I now either cook it with fusilli or tagliatelle which is good as the mince tends to stick to the ribbons. We have also tried bow pasta and normal spaghetti all of which she can manage. Ava has allergies so I can make this meal allergy friendly for her and cook a bigger batch and freeze in smaller portions so that she can have it if the boys meal isn’t suitable. It’s also really easy to take out and about with us using her Vital Baby on the go weaning set.
Over the years I have fiddled about with the recipe for spaghetti Bolognese. When I’m cooking it for adults I will also add in a bit of cayenne pepper.
I love the idea of this, but I’m just not sure about the mess! Ava looks like she’s managing to stay quite clean though? My 15 month old loves plain mince and pasta, I’m sure he’d love bolognese but I just need to get over myself first 😉
Looks and sounds yummy. My boys are older now but still love pasta and I love how you’ve used a thicker pasta as I find spaghetti can be hard for little lands.
Ava looks very clean for someone eating spag bol, i need to know your secret as my children get it everywhere! Fab recipe and a great one for weaning #picknmix
Oo this looks like something my daugher would enjoy! I also love adding vegetables to these kind of meals – perfect way of sneaking extra nutrients in 🙂 #PicknMix
Helen x
http://treasureeverymoment01.blogspot.co.uk/
I’ve never considered adding sweetcorn before! Will try it! #picknmix
Spag bol is my favourite recipe! My girls love it and I hope baby boy will love it next year when he starts weaning!
Loved doing spag bol when my son was weaning and he still loves it now. Horrendous mess of course but isn’t that part of the fun? #PicknMix
Spaghetti bolognese was my favourite meal growing up. Lexie won’t touch it though so it’s not very often we eat it any more! 🙁 #PicknMix
Love it! Marianna’s fave is spag bol too – the only downside is that, with her being a redhead, I sometimes don’t notice a splodge she’s managed to get in her hair until we’re out and everyone is judging my parenting skills! ;D x #picknmix
Spaghetti Bolognese is a great recipe to have under your belt 🙂 I’m sure most families have a photo of their children with bolognese all over their faces, in their hair and eyebrows! It must be the most orange foodstuff known to man 🙂
x Alice
#PicknMix
I don’t eat minced meat, but OH makes this for him & the little ones & they both like it! #picknmix
I have pictures of both the girls with bolognese faces when they where little & when boy is big enough hevwill try it too as its one of the girls favourite meals. It’s really versatile & simple to swap up, plus you can add in chunks (or completely blend) extra veggies 🙂
#picknmix
I haven’t eaten this in years, but now really fancying it! Ava is looking so grown up already eek!
Stevie xx
Such a wonderful classic and a real staple in our house too. Plus there is something so cute about seeing it all round a little one’s face lol! #picknmix
Sounds a yummy recipe! #picknmix xx
This is one of our favourite meals to have together. The boys can’t seem to get enough of it! #PicknMix