How do I keep the texture toddler-friendly?

Keep pieces or spoonfuls small, avoid overcooking, and serve with a soft side if the texture feels dry or sticky for your child's chewing stage.

Can ingredients be swapped for allergies?

Yes. Use safe substitutes for your child's needs and check labels for common cross-contact risks before serving.

What should I serve with it?

Pair it with a protein, soft fruit, or cooked vegetable to make the snack or meal more balanced for little appetites.

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One-Pot Meals

One-Pot Butternut Squash and Spinach Risotto with Nutritional Yeast

Name: One-Pot Butternut Squash and Spinach Risotto with Nutritional Yeast
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: International
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon Extra virgin olive oil; 1 small (about 100g) Yellow onion, finely chopped; 1 Garlic clove, minced; 350 grams Butternut squash, peeled and diced small; 1 cup (185g) Arborio rice; 3 cups (720ml) Low-sodium vegetable broth (warm); 2 cups (about 60g) Fresh spinach, washed and roughly chopped; 3 tablespoons Nutritional yeast; 1 teaspoon Fresh lemon juice; A pinch Ground black pepper (optional, fine grind)

By TinyTummyTreats Test KitchenReviewed by TinyTummyTreats Editorial TeamPublished May 12, 2026

International 35 mins nutritiouseasy-to-makeone-potvegetable-baseddairy-freenut-freevegetariansoft-texturebalanced-nutritionquick-prepallergy-friendlybudget-friendlyseasonalfinger-food-friendlypicky-eatersmake-aheadlunchbox-friendly

A quick and easy one-pot risotto featuring butternut squash and spinach, enriched with nutritional yeast for a dairy-free, allergy-friendly, balanced toddler meal perfect for picky eaters.

One-Pot Butternut Squash and Spinach Risotto with Nutritional Yeast

Prep 10 min

Cook 25 min

Total 35 min

Servings 4

Difficulty easy

Cuisine International

Ingredients

Servings 4

1 tablespoon Extra virgin olive oil
1 small (about 100g) Yellow onion, finely chopped
1 Garlic clove, minced
350 grams Butternut squash, peeled and diced small
1 cup (185g) Arborio rice
3 cups (720ml) Low-sodium vegetable broth (warm)
2 cups (about 60g) Fresh spinach, washed and roughly chopped
3 tablespoons Nutritional yeast
1 teaspoon Fresh lemon juice
A pinch Ground black pepper (optional, fine grind)

One Pot Butternut Squash Spinach Risotto Nutritional Yeast ingredients image for TinyTummyTreats

Instructions

Heat olive oil in a medium-sized pot over medium heat.
Add the finely chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
Stir in the minced garlic and diced butternut squash; sauté for 2-3 minutes to release flavors.
Add the Arborio rice to the pot and stir well to coat the grains with oil and vegetables.
Pour in 1 cup of warm vegetable broth, stirring continuously until the liquid is mostly absorbed.
Continue adding the remaining broth, about 1/2 cup at a time, stirring frequently and waiting for it to absorb before adding more. This process should take about 20 minutes until the rice is tender and creamy.
When the rice is almost done, gently fold in the chopped spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes.
Remove the pot from heat and stir in the nutritional yeast and lemon juice for a cheesy, dairy-free flavor.
Season with a small pinch of ground black pepper if desired, keeping flavors mild to suit toddlers’ sensitive palates.
Let the risotto cool slightly before serving to toddlers, ensuring a soft texture suitable for young children.

One Pot Butternut Squash Spinach Risotto Nutritional Yeast process image for TinyTummyTreats

Tips

Allergy Safety for Little Tummies

Allergy Warnings: This recipe is naturally free from dairy, nuts, gluten, and eggs, making it perfect for toddlers with common allergies. Always check labels on broth and nutritional yeast to ensure no hidden allergens or additives. Substitution Ideas: Vegetable Broth: Opt for homemade or certified allergen-free low-sodium broth to avoid soy or gluten contaminants.

Texture and Mouthfeel for Toddlers

This one-pot butternut squash and spinach risotto is ideal for toddlers aged 12 months and older . At this stage, toddlers begin exploring a variety of soft textures and finger-food-friendly meals. This creamy, soft risotto is gentle on emerging teeth and encourages self-feeding with manageable bite sizes.

Feeding, Portioning, and Sharing Notes

Safe Serving Sizes for Toddlers For toddlers aged 12 months to 2 years, serve about 1/2 to 3/4 cup (120-180 ml) of this soft, vegetable-based risotto per meal. This portion supports balanced nutrition while respecting smaller stomach capacities. Choking Hazard Prevention To keep this meal safe for toddlers: Serve risotto at a warm, not hot, temperature to avoid burns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make One-Pot Butternut Squash and Spinach Risotto with Nutritional Yeast ahead?: Yes. Prepare the recipe ahead, cool it completely, and store portions airtight so they are ready for quick toddler snacks or meals.
How do I keep the texture toddler-friendly?: Keep pieces or spoonfuls small, avoid overcooking, and serve with a soft side if the texture feels dry or sticky for your child's chewing stage.
Can ingredients be swapped for allergies?: Yes. Use safe substitutes for your child's needs and check labels for common cross-contact risks before serving.
What should I serve with it?: Pair it with a protein, soft fruit, or cooked vegetable to make the snack or meal more balanced for little appetites.

Ingredient Replacements

tablespoon Extra virgin olive oil: Swap with a toddler-safe alternative that keeps a similar moisture level and soft bite, then adjust water or cook time a little if the mixture feels dry or loose.
small (about 100g) Yellow onion: Swap with a toddler-safe alternative that keeps a similar moisture level and soft bite, then adjust water or cook time a little if the mixture feels dry or loose.
Garlic clove: Swap with a toddler-safe alternative that keeps a similar moisture level and soft bite, then adjust water or cook time a little if the mixture feels dry or loose.
grams Butternut squash: Swap with a toddler-safe alternative that keeps a similar moisture level and soft bite, then adjust water or cook time a little if the mixture feels dry or loose.
cup (185g) Arborio rice: Swap with a toddler-safe alternative that keeps a similar moisture level and soft bite, then adjust water or cook time a little if the mixture feels dry or loose.

Storage

Cool One-Pot Butternut Squash and Spinach Risotto with Nutritional Yeast completely, then store portions in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Freeze extras when practical, thaw before serving, and reheat gently only when a warmer, softer bite is helpful.

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One-Pot Butternut Squash and Spinach Risotto with Nutritional Yeast

Recipe Details

Ingredients

Instructions