Preparing lunch or dinner for your children might be a special time for your family. You can catch up on the events of the day, and talk to them about some of the fun things that they are doing instead of talking about homework or things that need to be done around the house. Instead of spending hours preparing a meal that involves a lot of steps, there are some easy meals that you can make that are healthy and that the kids can be involved with making.
Pasta
There are several meals that you can make with pasta as the base. Spaghetti is a popular meal that many children enjoy and that can be served with a healthy salad or garlic bread. You can also make pasta fun by poking uncooked pieces through half of a hot dog. When the pasta boils and is removed from the water, it will look like an octopus. Other meal ideas that children might enjoy include lasagna or pasta salad with sliced tomatoes and cucumbers.
Casseroles
Pizza casserole is an easy dish to make for children for lunch or dinner. They can help you by layering the pepperoni and cheese between the pasta and sauce. Chicken casserole is an option to consider as well. This is a dish that’s a bit heartier since it has stuffing, chicken, and cream of chicken soup. However, it doesn’t have a lot of vegetables, which can sometimes make it a dish that more children will try. Tater tot casserole is a fun meal idea to consider that combines ground beef, tater tots, cheese, and other toppings that your children might enjoy.
Sandwiches and Burgers
A classic hamburger with a Kaiser bun is typically a favorite for any child. You can set up a burger station in your kitchen so that everyone can add the toppings that they like, such as lettuce, cheese, or tomatoes. Side items can include baked beans, chips, or fries. You can also make sliders with Kaiser buns or sandwiches with your child’s favorite meat and cheese.
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Pizza
From pepperoni pizza to dessert pizza with fruit, there are various ways that you can make this dish for your kids for lunch or dinner. This is another meal idea that they can get involved with making, allowing you to spend even more time with them in the kitchen. If everyone likes different ingredients, then get small crusts so that everyone can make their own pizzas.
There’s nothing like making a healthy meal that your kids can enjoy. However, you might not have a lot of ideas of things that they would like. With a few simple basic ingredients, you can work with your children to come up with meal ideas together that the entire family will enjoy and that can result in time well-spent together.