Kid-Friendly Meals For Busy Moms
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Although the holidays are upon us with a vengeance, we will soon be back to chauffeuring our kids to dance practice, choir, soccer, baseball, play dates, and all the other time-consuming, life-enriching, activities we’ve come to know and loathe (I mean, love).
Do you really have time to prepare a healthy meal for your family? Of course you do. No, I’ve not lost my mind (not completely, anyway). If you serve these quick, easy, healthy, and inexpensive meals (whew!), your kids will think you’re the smartest mom on the block (and, they’d be right).
One-Pot Pasta Surprise
1 lb. ground beef
1 16 oz jar spaghetti sauce
1 cup water
1 1/2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Crumble beef in a three-quart glass baking dish and microwave for 4-5 minutes, or until beef is no longer pink. Mix and rotate half-way through cooking time. Drain the meat. Stir in sauce, water, and macaroni. Microwave another 12 minutes, stirring after 6 minutes. Sprinkle cheese on top and allow to stand covered approximately 5 minutes before serving two hungry kids.
- Healthy Heart Tip: You can always substitute ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or buffalo.
Meat and Potatoes Cheesy Casserole
Combine together:
2 pounds ground meat
1 can condensed cheddar cheese soup
1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1-2 cups of frozen crinkle cut French fries
Brown the ground beef and drain. Add both soups to drained meat and spoon into a 9×13 greased baking dish. Sprinkle the meat with French fries and bake at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes or until the French fries are light brown.
Everything But The Kitchen Sink Taco Salad
Toss some diced lettuce, tomato, onion and cheese (depending on your kids’ taste buds) into a large bowl. Saute a pound of ground meat (or warm up any leftover meat you have in the fridge), then add an envelope of taco seasoning or taco sauce to the meat. Next, add crushed tortilla chips. Finish off with salsa or your kids’ favorite salad dressing. Don’t forget the sour cream and avocado on the side! Kids love this colorful and tasty meal!
Cold-Cut Pinwheels
A head of lettuce
Ham, turkey or roast beef slices
Cheese slices
Condiments
Step 1: Peel off a medium lettuce leaf.
Step 2: Assemble meat, cheese, and condiments.
Step 3: Roll up and stick a toothpick in the middle.
Step 4: Gobble Up.
Step 5: Wipe the mayo off your cheek.
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For more quick and easy kid-friendly meals, visit: Dine Without Whine
