To think pasta pesto isn't a universal kid friendly meal?

[IHaveBrilloHair]

I often see this stated as a meal that all kids like, up there with pizza/nuggets/fishfishfingers, but I honestly don't know many kids who like it, and know more who wouldn't know what it is.
Dd's too old for playdates now but I'd never have served it, not in a million years, is it really universal kid food?
Admittedly we live in a small Scottish town but we have a Waitrose, and a Private school, it's not some weird backwater.

Note, mine wouldn't eat pesto but neither would I.

I can't stand pesto myself but my own boys and all of the children I mind love it (ages 6-17)

We grow our own basil and let them make it themselves.

My kids have never had it. I had it once, it comes under the category of foods that look better than they taste (like strawberries) to me.
Just looked up a few recipes and I don't get the point, tbh. Basil leaves and olive oil. Whatever.

Lovingit81
You can get dairy / nut free varieties I have one Dd who's allergic to nuts and one who is vegan. x

In 12 years of parenting and cooking for other people's kids I have only met one kid who hasn't hoovered up pasta pesto like it is manna from heaven.

Personally I think it's gross. Pasta is like eating skin and pesto, unless homemade, is bogging.

My two year old loves it. I love that he loves it as it's quick and easy if I haven't got much time.

My grandchildren aged between 7 and 19 have always loved it. It has to be homemade pesto fro scratch with basil, pine nuts, Parmesan and olive oil served on spaghetti. The two youngest aged 7 and 10 say it is their favourite meal as made by dh and always request it when they come for tea.

I have never cooked this for my tribe as I agree, it seems a strange children's classic but my children's nursery do this regularly and my kids love it!

DS (4) wouldn't entertain it until he had it with his beloved cousins and now it is standby meal no.1. Sometimes with chicken or salmon or sausage; sometimes on its own piled with cheese.

Garlic too of course...

It's so easy to have a jar of pesto in the larder that it's my go to "fallback position" for play dates. I normally suggest roast chicken thighs and corn on the cob or spaghetti bolognaise or something involving sausages, (all safe but not universally acceptable suggestions) and if the child refuses that then at least I can always say "pasta pesto?" and have a 50% chance of success. The only thing I've ever found that every single visiting child will eat is broccoli. I am prepared to accept that some children don't like it, but I've never met one.

My two adore 'green pasta'. On its own, with broccoli, peas, bacon, sausage, from a jar, homemade, any which way. They love pasta pesto heaped with Parmesan. But they love all pasta and are not fussy eaters. But I still wouldn't serve it on a play date. I stick to sausages, chicken or pizza.

Youngest ate jarred pesto almost exclusively growing up. Eldest went meh at it. But will eat it now. It's so much nicer made fresh, though, I've since discovered.

It's the absolute favourite of my DS, preferably with cherry tomatoes and cheese added, and if we're really pushing the boat out, some bacon. He had a friend over at the weekend though and she was disgusted at the idea of green sauce!

My DS is now at University but from a toddler upwards pasta and pesto (had to be green and not the red version) was the only thing he would eat apart from fish fingers. It was a life saver and I always took a jar with me when visiting friends and family! He still eats it now even though his food repertoire is much more varied thank goodness. Very positive memories of that particular food stuff!

We all (5 out of 6 of us, and the one who doesn't eats almost literally nothing - food refuser) love pesto - red or green. Sometimes as a fast weekend lunch with a side salad and a gasp! Carbs with carbs slice of garlic bread. Sometimes as a main meal with sautéed or roasted chicken breast and some broccoli. Mine range in age from 4-13.

I tend to find most visiting children will eat it.

I don't believe I've ever served any pesto-refusers in my kitchen.

Athrawes mine would absolutely prefer a good steak and chips or mezze plate too but I don't have the time or the funds to serve this every day, and certainly wouldn't serve steak to visiting children on a play date.

My nearly 2 Year old has never eaten pasta & sauce , but will happily devour lasagne.

I wish he would, such a simple
Versatile meal :(

DD likes the ones you get ready made, the type you get sold with sandwiches etc in Boots and supermarkets. Haven't made it at home. Can't stand pesto myself.

My DD 2yr loves it. The one thing I can guarantee she will eat when having a fussy day...apart from cake.

My two love it. I usually chuck peas and cheese in too but they'll eat it without. I often eat it as a quick lunch myself. We also put pesto cheese and tomatoes on crackers, we all eat that too.

I dont like it and neither have any of the children I have worked with.

My 2 will eat everything (including pesto IN sauce) but not plain on pasta.

The only other thing DT1 wont eat is yellow plums because they taste different to purple ones.

Pasta - Yes, Pesto - not so much
Having said that, my DS would be fine with just a little olive oil on his pasta.Tomato is a bonus. And he'll east pretty much any pasta sause which isn't pesto or filled with chili.