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Baby & Toddler Recipes -hero

EDITORS' CHOICEBaby and Toddler Recipes

Starting solids for your baby? Or perhaps you’re after some recipe inspiration for your fussy toddler? Check out these healthy, iron-rich baby recipes to suit all ages and stages to fill up your little one's tummy.

More than just baby food, you can also find nutrition advice for expectant mothers to ensure that you are getting all the iron that you need during pregnancy.

Stage 1: Smooth Puree (babies around 6 months)

Prep: 10 mins |

Cook: 15 mins

Baby's beef mince with kumara

Prep: 10 mins |

Cook: 30 mins

Lamb's liver and vegetables

Prep: 10 mins |

Cook: 2 hrs 30 mins

Iron-rich casserole for babies

Prep: 15 mins |

Cook: 30 mins

Shepherd's pie for kids

Prep: 15 mins |

Cook: 1 hr 30 mins

Casserole lamb

Prep: 10 mins |

Cook: 2 hrs

Lamb soup for young ones

Prep: 15 mins |

Cook: 1 hr 30 mins

Meaty hot pot

Prep: 15 mins |

Cook: 1 hr 30 mins

Moroccan diced lamb

Prep: 5 mins |

Cook: 35 mins

Toddler spaghetti bolognese

Prep: 15 mins |

Mustard roast beef

Prep: 20 mins |

Cottage pie for kids

Stage 2: Mashed/Lumpy (babies around 6 ½ - 7 months)

Prep: 10 mins |

Cook: 2 hrs

Lamb soup for young ones

Prep: 15 mins |

Cook: 1 hr 30 mins

Moroccan diced lamb

Prep: 15 mins |

Cook: 1 hr 30 mins

Meaty hot pot

Prep: 10 mins |

Cook: 30 mins

Lamb's liver and vegetables

Prep: 15 mins |

Cook: 30 mins

Shepherd's pie for kids

Prep: 15 mins |

Cook: 1 hr 30 mins

Casserole lamb

Prep: 5 mins |

Cook: 35 mins

Toddler spaghetti bolognese

Prep: 15 mins |

Mustard roast beef

Prep: 10 mins |

Cook: 2 hrs 30 mins

Iron-rich casserole for babies

Prep: 20 mins |

Cottage pie for kids

Stage 3: Minced and Finely Chopped (babies from 8 months)

Prep: 10 mins |

Cook: 20 mins

Mini Burgers

Prep: 20 mins |

Cottage pie for kids

Prep: 45 mins |

Cook: 15 mins

Toddler meatballs

Prep: 10 mins |

Cook: 10 mins

Family lamb stir-fry

Prep: 15 mins |

Cook: 1 hr 30 mins

Moroccan diced lamb

Prep: 10 mins |

Cook: 1 hr 30 mins

Meatloaf

Prep: 10 mins |

Cook: 2 hrs

Lamb soup for young ones

Prep: 15 mins |

Cook: 30 mins

Shepherd's pie for kids

Prep: 15 mins |

Cook: 1 hr 30 mins

Casserole lamb

Prep: 5 mins |

Cook: 35 mins

Toddler spaghetti bolognese

Prep: 15 mins |

Cook: 1 hr 30 mins

Meaty hot pot

Prep: 15 mins |

Mustard roast beef

Prep: 15 mins |

Cook: 15 mins

Beef fajitas

Prep: 10 mins |

Cook: 30 mins

Lamb's liver and vegetables

Prep: 10 mins |

Cook: 2 hrs 30 mins

Iron-rich casserole for babies

Stage 4: Toddler/Family Food (around 12 months)

Prep: 5 mins |

Cook: 35 mins

Toddler spaghetti bolognese

Prep: 10 mins |

Cook: 55 mins

Family pasta bake

Prep: 15 mins |

Cook: 15 mins

Beef fajitas

Prep: 10 mins |

Cook: 30 mins

Beef twister

Prep: 15 mins |

Cook: 45 mins

Calzone handfuls

Prep: 15 mins |

Cook: 1 hr 30 mins

Cow and gate tart

Prep: 45 mins |

Cook: 15 mins

Toddler meatballs

Prep: 30 mins |

Cook: 15 mins

Mince baskets

Prep: 10 mins |

Cook: 20 mins

Mini Burgers

Prep: 10 mins |

Cook: 20 mins

Mince wraps

Prep: 10 mins |

Cook: 10 mins

Family lamb stir-fry

Prep: 10 mins |

Cook: 2 hrs

Lamb soup for young ones

Prep: 10 mins |

Cook: 1 hr 30 mins

Meatloaf

Prep: 15 mins |

Cook: 30 mins

Shepherd's pie for kids

Prep: 15 mins |

Cook: 1 hr 30 mins

Casserole lamb

Prep: 15 mins |

Cook: 1 hr 30 mins

Meaty hot pot

Prep: 15 mins |

Cook: 1 hr 30 mins

Moroccan diced lamb

Prep: 15 mins |

Mustard roast beef

Prep: 10 mins |

Cook: 30 mins

Lamb's liver and vegetables

Prep: 10 mins |

Cook: 2 hrs 30 mins

Iron-rich casserole for babies

Prep: 20 mins |

Cottage pie for kids

Nutrition Advice: Babies

Nutrition

Babies' First Foods

Confidently start your baby on solids with expert tips, first food ideas, and iron-rich recipes from Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s Nutrition Team.

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Nutrition

Nutrition Spotlight: Iron and Baby Food Pouches

Discover how baby food pouches stack up on iron and key nutrients. Plus, tips to boost your baby's iron intake and raise a strong, healthy eater.

Read more

Nutrition

Brainfood for Baby: Adding Offal to the Plate

Curious about liver for babies? Discover why this iron-rich food packs big benefits in tiny portions. Plus, tips and recipes to serve it safely and simply.

Read more

Tips & Tricks

Adapting meals for little tummies

Learn how to adapt family meals for babies and toddlers with simple tips from the Nutrition Team at Beef + Lamb New Zealand. No need to cook separate dishes for everyone!

Read more

Nutrition

Giving them the best start: Iron for babies

Learn why iron is essential for babies starting solids and how to offer iron-rich foods that support healthy growth, brain development, and energy.

Read more

Inspiration

Lamb as a first food: 8 lamb recipes that are perfect for babies and toddlers

Starting complementary feeding can be an exciting time for parents - watching your little ones' eyes widen, hands clap, and facial expressions change as they are introduced to the complete unknown. But where do you start? And what foods are important to include in their diet? Here are 8 lamb recipes that are perfect for little tummies.

Read more