If you’re tired of serving up fish sticks on the fine china, you’re not alone. A kid’s picky palate can heavily influence what’s for dinner, but these five examples are delicious and nutritious for every member of the family (excluding maybe the furry ones!).
Homemade Chicken Tenders
Okay, even though we just got done goofing on fried finger foods, homemade chicken tenders are much healthier and not nearly as hard to make as they sound!
Start with high-quality chicken breasts. Slice them into tenders. Coat them in a mix of panko breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor and crunch. Bake or air-fry them to keep things healthy. You could serve a tasty honey-mustard dipping sauce. But, be ready for someone to request ranch at the table.
Pasta With Turkey Meatballs
Every kid loves spaghetti and meatballs.
But what if we took it further and elevated it with some bucatini, homemade tomato sauce, and protein-packed turkey meatballs? Turkey is lighter and a bit healthier, but when seasoned properly, it’s equally delicious.
Mix the ground turkey with breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic, and Italian herbs. Then, form the mixture into meatballs. Simmer them in a rich marinara sauce and serve them with your choice of pasta; we love rigatoni or bucatini for a recipe like this!
Baked Mac and Cheese With Broccoli
Adding broccoli can make macaroni and cheese, the ultimate comfort food, healthier and more satisfying. Use whole grain pasta and a blend of cheeses—sharp cheddar, Gruyère, and a touch of Parmesan for complexity.
Steam the broccoli until just tender and mix it into the pasta before baking. Top with a sprinkle of breadcrumbs for a delightful crunch.
Be warned about using overly expensive or funky cheeses: the pickiest of eaters might be able to tell you’ve added them and push their plate away. Stick with safe cheeses like cheddar, mozzarella, Parmesan, or Colby jack if you’re concerned about it.
Taco Bowls
Who doesn’t love taco night? They’re always a hit, but serving them in a bowl format makes them more manageable for little hands and customizable for different tastes. Start with a base of brown rice or quinoa, and add seasoned ground turkey or beef.
Provide a variety of toppings like black beans, corn, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, avocado, and a sprinkle of cheese. Offer salsa and light sour cream to top their bowls with. You can even crush up some tortilla chips for a fun crunch!
Mini Pizza Night
Pizza night doesn’t have to be a greasy affair (even though that’s fun every now and then). Your family can easily create mini veggie pizzas using whole wheat pita bread or English muffins as the base!
Let your kids pick their favorite veggies (maybe convincing them with other less healthy toppings like pepperoni) and have them top their own pizzas. You can have marinara or alfredo options to give your kids even more customization options. Once they’re ready, toss them in the toaster oven until the cheese is nicely melted and the bread is crispy.
25 Savory Dishes for Pickle Lovers
Ok… who loves pickles?
Or rather… who doesn’t love pickles?
If you do love pickles then you should look through these recipes and see which one of these pickle recipes will satisfy your pickle cravings.
These are the best recipes for pickle lovers!
Leave a Reply