I struggle with meals for Maria. It’s tough. She is just finally getting her top teeth in, so things still need to be soft and in small pieces. She is also often so hungry when we get home from daycare, that she isn’t going to be able to wait until our dinner is ready.  And we do eat quite a bit of spicy type foods, so that is a struggle also.  I hate relying on the Gerber Toddler meals, even though she loves them. I just hate giving her so much sodium, especially during the week, when I don’t have control over her lunches.

So after some googling, I found this recipe for Pasta Pucks.  It has been great. I froze about 24 muffin cups worth (lined with a paper liner). Then just stored them in a plastic container in the freezer. I pull them out as needed. Microwave for about a minute on 60% power. And it’s ready to go!

It took about 20 minutes to make them (besides freezing time) and probably cost around $5 to make.  Plus Chad even had some for lunch the day I was making them! The best part is she LOVES them!  I’m pretty sure she’ll be up to eating 2 in a sitting soon!

Pasta Pucks

1 pound of pasta (I used the multi-colored veggie wagon wheels)
1 jar of sauce (I used a straight-up marinara sauce)
1 can great northern beans – drained
grated cheese and seasoning to taste (I used Italian seasoning and about 1 1/2 cup of cheese)

Cook the pasta according to directions. While it is cooking, put the jar of sauce and can of beans into the blender and blend until smooth. Add the sauce/bean mix to the cooked pasta and add the cheese and seasonings. Freeze in muffin cups (with papers) or in silicone muffin pans.