Struggling to please those fussy eaters at the table? Pasta salad might just be your secret weapon! This versatile dish can be tailored to fit even the pickiest of palates. Whether they prefer something classic or with a fun twist, we've got delicious recipes of pasta salad for picky eaters that are sure to win them over. 

5 Nutritious and Tasty Pasta Salad for Picky Eaters

Check out these five delicious options that are sure to satisfy even the fussiest of taste buds while packing in the goodness.

Tortellini Pasta Salad

Enjoy this pasta salad warm or chilled from the fridge as a tasty lunch. Double the recipe to bring it to a get-together with friends. For an extra touch, mix in rocket leaves and top with shaved parmesan and toasted pine nuts.

Type: Vegetarian

Serves 6

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cooking Time: 15 minutes 

Ingredients

1. 1x 600g packet spinach and cheese tortellini
2. 100g tomato or basil pesto
3. 1 punnet baby Roma tomatoes, halved
4. 1 red capsicum, chopped
5. 1x 400g tin chickpeas or butter beans, drained and rinsed
6. 200g cherry bocconcini, quartered
7. 1 cup fresh basil leaves

Recipe

1. Heat a large saucepan of water over high heat until boiling, then cook the tortellini according to the packet directions. Ensure that you cook the tortellini to ‘al dente’, so that it is still slightly firm to the bite. 
2. Once the tortellini is cooked, reserve ½ cup of the pasta water, then drain the tortellini. Return the tortellini to the saucepan. 
3. Add in the pasta water, pesto, tomatoes, capsicum, chickpeas, bocconcini, and basil. Stir gently to combine. 
4. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Simple Ricotta Pasta

With only 3 ingredients, this is one of our easiest pasta recipes! It’s a great go-to for busy moments. To get the best flavour, use the finest ingredients you can. Serve it immediately for the best experience, as it doesn’t reheat well.

Type: Vegetarian

Serves 6

Prep Time: 5 minutes 

Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

1. 500 g orecchiette pasta
2. 300g fresh ricotta
3. Black pepper to serve (optional)

Recipe

1. Heat a large saucepan of water over high heat and bring to a boil. Once boiling add in the orecchiette pasta and cook for approximately 8-10 minutes until al dente. Remove from the heat. 
2. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water. Drain the pasta and then return the pasta to the large saucepan.   
3. Mash the ricotta in a bowl, then slowly add in some of the reserved pasta water. Add in enough pasta water to reach a thick and creamy sauce consistency. 
4. Add the ricotta into the large saucepan with the cooked pasta. Stir well to combine. 
5. Serve the pasta immediately, with a sprinkle of black pepper if desired. Enjoy!

Looking for more pasta recipes? Give this Mediterranean Pasta Salad a go—it’s packed with vibrant flavours that capture kids' attention and stimulate their appetite.
 

Penne Arrabbiata

Originating in Rome, Italy, arrabbiata translates to 'angry' due to its bold, spicy flavour. This recipe is easy to make, packed with taste, and affordable, relying on pantry staples. It’s ready in around 20 minutes, perfect for a hassle-free dinner on busy weeknights.

Type: Vegetarian, Lactose Free

Serves 6

Prep Time: 5 minutes 

Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

1. 500g wholemeal penne pasta
2. 2 tablespoons olive oil
3. 2 garlic cloves, crushed
4. 3 small, dried chillies (chopped) or 1 teaspoon chilli flakes
5. 1 tin whole tomatoes
6. 700ml tomato passata
7. Sprinkle of salt
8. 1 cup parsley leaves chopped

Recipe

1. Heat a large saucepan of water over high heat and bring to a boil. Once boiling add in the penne pasta and cook for approximately 12 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside. 
2. Meanwhile, heat another large saucepan over medium heat. Add in the olive oil and garlic and cook for a couple of minutes until fragrant. 
3. Add in the dried chillies or chilli flakes and allow to cook for 1-2 minutes. 
4. Add in the whole tomatoes, tomato passata and a pinch of salt. Use a spoon to crush the whole tomatoes. Reduce heat to low and allow the sauce to simmer for 5-10 minutes (or leave for longer if you have extra time – this will enhance the flavour). 
5. Once the tomato sauce is ready and the pasta is cooked, add the drained pasta directly into the tomato sauce saucepan. Add the parsley, and stir everything gently to combine. 
6. Transfer the pasta to serving bowls and serve immediately. Enjoy!

Mix things up for your picky eaters with this Healthy Chickpea Pasta! It’s super easy to whip up and packed with all the nutrients your kid needs. Give it a try and watch them enjoy a delicious and nutritious meal!

One-Pan Fast Frittata

Whip up this simple frittata in no time, and skip the oven. It’s great for a relaxed weekend breakfast and substantial enough for a light lunch or dinner. Beans and peas work well, but you can use your preferred veggies if you chop them small and pre-cook them a bit.

Type: Vegetarian, Gluten Free

Serves 2

Prep Time: 10 minutes 

Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

1. 150g shelled frozen edamame
2. 100g frozen baby peas
3. 4 eggs
4. Handful of parsley leaves, torn
5. 1 tablespoon olive oil
6. 2 spring onions, sliced
7. Cracked black pepper
8. Feta cheese, to serve
9. Toasted grainy bread, to serve
10. Mixed lettuce leaves, to serve

Recipe

1. Add the frozen edamame beans and baby peas to a small bowl. Boil the kettle, then pour over enough hot water to cover the beans and peas. Allow to sit for a couple of minutes until tender and bright green. Drain. 
2. Crack the eggs into a jug and whisk well. Add in the edamame, peas, and parsley. 
3. Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Add in the olive oil and spring onions. Fry for a couple of minutes until the spring onions are softened. 
4. Pour the egg mixture into the pan over the spring onions. Hold the handle of the pan and rotate the pan slowly on an angle so that the egg is evenly distributed in the pan – no need to stir. Place a lid over the pan and allow to cook for 5-10 minutes. When ready the bottom of the frittata should be set and slightly golden (you can use a spatula to lift up the side and look underneath) and the middle of the frittata should be puffed up and no longer wobbly.
5. To serve, slide the frittata gently out of the pan and onto a plate. Sprinkle it with feta cheese and black pepper. Serve immediately with toasted bread and mixed leaves. Enjoy!

Pesto Zoodles With Haloumi

Zoodles, or zucchini noodles, are a healthy pasta alternative and cook up in no time! For the best results, use a spiralizer to turn the zucchini into long strands, or a vegetable peeler if you prefer zucchini ribbons.

Type: Vegetarian, Gluten Free, Contains nuts

Serves 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

1. 1x 180g block haloumi, cubed 
2. 2x 250g punnets red cherry tomatoes, halved
3. 3 large zucchinis, spiralised 
4. ½ cup homemade pesto, plus extra to serve
5. 1 bag baby spinach

Recipe

1. Heat a large non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the haloumi and cook for 2 minutes on each side until golden. Remove from the pan. 
2. Add the cherry tomatoes to the frying pan and cook over medium heat for a couple of minutes until softened. Add the spiralised zucchini and stir through. 
3. Add the haloumi back into the frying pan as well as the pesto. Stir everything together and continue to cook for another couple of minutes. Stir through half of the baby spinach before removing from the heat. 
4. Serve on top of a bed of the remaining baby spinach, and drizzle with a little extra pesto. Enjoy!

Give Healthy Feta Pasta a go too! It’s got noodles that kids usually can’t resist, making it a hit at mealtime.

The Bottom Line

Pasta salad for picky eaters is your go-to for a meal that’s both tasty and nutritious, even for the fussiest eaters. With a range of ingredients, you can whip up a balanced dish that’s as healthy as it is delicious.

The recipes we’ve covered are super easy to make and can be tailored to include favourite flavours and sneaky veggies. Perfect for any meal, pasta salad can be enjoyed warm or cold, adapting to any taste or dietary need.

For more tasty ideas, check out our Recipes section.