Dinnertime is always a stressful time when you have
little mouths to feed.
You want to keep them interested, but you also hope to sneak in those veggies into their diets. In my house it’s not just pleasing the picky mouths, but I have a husband with a limited palate. If it was up to them, we would eat fast food, no vegetables, and/or sugary cereal for every meal. This health freak mama just can’t deal with that kind of diet plan. I have a few secret recipes that are my go-to meals and sides for easy weekday meals. I love utilizing my gadgets to simplify these meals and give me back some time not spent in the kitchen.
Copycat fast food:
Crunchwrap Supreme (Copycat)
My oldest son, Max, loves Taco Bell. I cannot stomach researching all of the additives and preservatives they add to their food. At least once a month, I add this tasty treat to our weekly menu. The Crunchwrap is a fun and easy meal that can also be devoured on the go for the sports and dance practice nights. The Crunchwrap acts as a vessel to pack in all the goodness and flavor into a tortilla pocket.
Comfort food casserole
Chicken Noodle Soup Casserole | Tasty Kitchen: A Happy Recipe
I have kids that don’t really love soup which I find disappointing on those cold and raining days. I found that they will eat a casserole, so this mama gets her chicken noodle soup fix with this meal. You can also pack in any fresh or frozen vegetables you have in your fridge. This recipe can also be a second day idea for leftover chicken from a previous meal, saving you time and unnecessary effort in the kitchen. The chicken noodle soup casserole is a crowd pleaser in this house.
Air fryer
Air-Fried Sweet Potato Fries Recipe | Allrecipes
If you own an air fryer, these are the most delicious sweet potato fries you will make. A bonus to this recipe is the time you save on it. Prepare, throw in the air fryer, set and walk away. Don’t worry! They may be fries, but you use sweet potatoes which have an abundance of health benefits and an air fryer which cuts down on the unnecessary fat.
Instant pot
Instant Pot Mississippi Pot Roast – Damn Delicious
Instant Pot Million Dollar Spaghetti – 365 Days of Slow Cooking and Pressure Cooking
I’m a horrible meal planner. I forget to defrost meats and love to throw together meals at the last minute. My instant pot has become my best friend. Two recipes that have my boys licking their plates are Mississippi pot roast and million-dollar spaghetti. My family is a basic meat and potatoes family so the pot roast is a staple dish. Add in new potatoes in the pot and a side salad on the plate, and you got yourself a hearty, filling meal. Now, million-dollar spaghetti is a cheat meal, but you can also hide veggies like spinach to off-set the decadence. Basic spaghetti can be boring and untouched at the table, but million-dollar spaghetti is so cheesy and delicious, your kids will ask for seconds.
Breakfast for dinner
Sheet-Pan Pancakes Recipe | EatingWell
Breakfast for dinner is always a big hit. Fry up some bacon, scramble the eggs and bake this sheet-pan pancake. This breakfast favorite can also be made ahead of time and reheated. For big families, it can feed an army. Add in fruit and berries for some freshness or even chocolate chips and sprinkles to make it fun.
A mom’s job is never done but finding quick and easy meals that please the little (or big) mouths in your life can make it a little sweeter.
