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Learn moreLasagna
Prepared
Age Suggestion
6 months
Iron-Rich
No
Common Allergen
Yes
When can babies have lasagna?
Lasagna may be introduced as soon as a baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age. Note that lasagna typically contains common allergens, such as dairy and wheat.
Lasagna is a baked pasta dish that originated in Italy, with regional variations heavily rooted in Naples and Emilia-Romagna. It is constructed by layering wide, flat pasta sheets with various savory fillings. Traditional components often include a rich meat ragù, tomato sauce, and creamy layers of béchamel sauce or a blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan cheeses. Once assembled, the dish is baked until the pasta is tender and the top is golden and bubbling. But of course, today, there are countless variations of this dish, which is now enjoyed in countries across the globe, some featuring seafood, some relying heavily on meat ingredients, and others solely made from vegetables.
How to cut lasagna for baby?
Every baby develops on their own timeline, and the suggestions on how to cut or prepare particular foods are generalizations for a broad audience.
6 months old +:
Scoop out the soft inner layers of the lasagna (such as the ricotta cheese, soft ground meat, and tomato sauce) and mix them together. Serve this mixture for baby to scoop or pre-loaded onto a baby spoon. You can also offer a large piece of the cooked, soft lasagna noodle for baby to hold and munch on. Avoid serving chunks of firm vegetable, meat, or large, thick globs of melted cheese, as these can be difficult to manage and pose a choking risk. Ensure all relevant common allergens have been safely introduced before offering.
9 months old +:
Serve bite-sized pieces of lasagna for baby to pick up with their developing pincer grasp, or continue to offer large sections of noodle or soft, cooked vegetable for baby to practice taking bites from. Ensure the pasta is baked until very soft and that avoid sharing pieces of the lasagna that contain thick globs of melted cheese, large chunks of meat, or firm vegetables, due to increased choking risk.
12 months old +:
Continue serving lasagna in bite-sized pieces or in larger strips for the child to practice biting and tearing. Lasagna offers a great texture for utensil practice, so consider serving with an age-appropriate fork–just know that it is perfectly normal if the child still prefers to use their hands.
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Is lasagna a choking hazard for babies?
It can be. Chunks of meat, firm vegetables, and thick globs of melted cheese can be challenging to chew, which can increase the risk of choking. To reduce the risk, prepare and serve lasagna in an age-appropriate way as described in How to Serve. As always, create a safe eating environment and stay within reach of baby during meals.
Learn the signs of choking and more about choking first aid in our free guides, Infant Rescue and Toddler Rescue.
Does lasagna contain common allergens?
Yes. Lasagna typically contains wheat (in pasta) and dairy (in cheese and milk-based sauces). Many recipes also use egg in the pasta dough or mixed into the ricotta cheese layer. Read the ingredients in a recipe or on the label of store-bought lasagna before serving to baby to see which common allergens it contains.
Prior to sharing lasagna with baby, it is important to introduce common food allergens on their own and rule them out as allergens before serving them together in a prepared food. This way, you'll be able to identify which allergen is responsible if baby has a reaction. Then, when you are ready to offer lasagna, you will be confident that baby has already safely eaten any common food allergens in the food.
Is lasagna healthy for babies?
Yes. The nutritional profile of lasagna depends on its specific ingredients. It generally offers carbohydrates from the pasta for energy, and significant amounts of protein, fat, and calcium if made with cheese and meat. Tomato-based sauces provide vitamin C and antioxidants like lycopene. These nutrients provide necessary building blocks for growth and development.
Lasagna, particularly store-bought or restaurant versions, can be high in sodium. Sharing meals, even if those meals contain some salt, brings baby into their family food culture as soon as they are ready to start solids. Family meals are opportunities for baby to explore a wide variety of food, practice eating food with different colors, flavors, and textures, and get comfortable with food that the rest of the family likes to eat.
Can babies eat store-bought or frozen lasagna?
Yes, provided it’s served in an age-appropriate way. Store-bought or frozen lasagna can be higher in sodium than homemade versions, but sharing the occasional high-sodium meal is not a cause for concern. Always check the ingredient list for common allergens before serving.
Our Team
Written by
Dr. Sakina Bajowala
MD, FAAAAI
Kim Grenawitzke
OTD, OTR/L, SCFES, IBCLC, CNT
Venus Kalami
MNSP, RD, CSP
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