Toddler meals - need ideas!

[Minnie824]

I'm a picky eater, so its really hard for me to come up with simple, quick, healthy, toddler-friends meals for my DDs. Normally, DH & I would order out, or I'd make something simple, chicken, pork chops, etc w/veggies. Girls eat the same veggies, some meat, rolls, etc. Lately, my DH has changed jobs and not home for dinner during the week. It seems pointless for me to make 'big' meals when I know my DDs aren't going to eat them, and I don't really need them. (I'd be happy eating pizza every night). SO, I'm getting tired of pasta, grilled cheese, mac & cheese, pizza, rice & veggies. Those are the main 'staples' in our house. I need some new ideas! DDs are ages 4.5 and 2. They will be willing to try some new things sometimes, but are generally kindof picky as well. Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[LaraK]

I'm a picky eater, so its really hard for me to come up with simple, quick, healthy, toddler-friends meals for my DDs. Normally, DH & I would order out, or I'd make something simple, chicken, pork chops, etc w/veggies. Girls eat the same veggies, some meat, rolls, etc. Lately, my DH has changed jobs and not home for dinner during the week. It seems pointless for me to make 'big' meals when I know my DDs aren't going to eat them, and I don't really need them. (I'd be happy eating pizza every night). SO, I'm getting tired of pasta, grilled cheese, mac & cheese, pizza, rice & veggies. Those are the main 'staples' in our house. I need some new ideas! DDs are ages 4.5 and 2. They will be willing to try some new things sometimes, but are generally kindof picky as well. Thanks for any suggestions!

I make a "quickie casadilla" as one of my meals, then you can put in only what each person likes...I just put the cheese (I cheat and buy the pre-shredded) on tortilla shells...then you can add chicken, olives, grilled onions and peppers, etc...as you like. It's really quick (you broil them to cut down on the fat) and easy. I cut them up with a pizza cutter into Pizza like bite sizes.

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

I am in the same situation as you---DH is seldom home before 10:00pm during the week, and he would prefer to just eat cereal or a sandwich when it is that late.

I do still cook for myself and the kids, but I am a big fan of using the crockpot AND getting 2 meals out of one night's cooking with planned leftovers.

Example:

Day 1: Pot roast with veggies and au jus in the crockpot.

Day 2: Shred the roast in BBQ sauce; simmer on low for a few hours. Serve shredded on buns with oven-baked fries and veggies.

Day 1: Throw in frozen chicken breasts with a little taco seasoning. Cook 4 hours on high in crockpot. Serve on tortillas (we like corn) with lettuce, cheese, tomatoes for chicken tacos.

Day 2: Either make chicken salad sandwiches, chicken spaghetti, or chicken enchiladas.

Day 1: Spaghetti with homemade sauce and meat.

Day 2: Serve sauce over baked chicken or make lasagne or sloppy joes.

Those are just a few examples where we get 2 nights from one entree.

We also do Friday night pizza/movie night. We do homemade pizzas and have Blockbuster home delivery.

Breakfast for dinner is also easy---biscuits with eggs and bacon or ham; pancakes with fruit and yogurt; sausage/egg/cheese casserole with homemade muffins.

And about every 2 weeks we do have a grilled cheese with soup night.

Hope this helps!
Day 2: Make remain

 

[Hoosier Mom]

How about burgers on the grill? We keep burgers in the freezer and thaw when needed.

Also we get chicken tenders, then sprinkle grilling seasoning on them (montreal or salt free chicken seasoning), then I cook them on the inside (electric) grill. Then when they are done, I spoon a little bit of BBQ sauce on them.

Ravioli's go over well here. I get the premade kind that are near the deli. I think they are Berteli? Boil them in water. Heat a 26 oz jar of Prego Traditional in a pan. Then drain the raviolis and combine with the Prego. Then I heat some peas or carrots and stir them in. Our ds will eat veggies if they are hidden in tomato sauce.

Will your kids eat fish? I buy the 16 oz package of frozen wild salmon filets (at Walmart). I thaw them in the frig. Then in a baking dish, I coat the bottom with roasted red pepper italian dressing. Then I put the fish in and turn them over so they are coated with the dressing. Then cover and bake for 35 minutes at 375 degrees (I don't preheat the oven). 16 oz is just 4 little pieces, so it doesn't make a lot. You could microwave a sweet potato to go along with it.

 

[Nanu57v]

My DD is only 17 months, but I usually feed her in reverse from how DH and I normally eat. She usually starts with carrot sticks or red peppers and ranch dip. Then some cantaloupe or strawberries. Then some cheese. Then some taboule, rice, tortellini, or some other starch. And sometimes some chicken.

I also like making combined dishes where I throw everything in the same pot.