Easy Dinners That Kids Can Make

Kids enjoy being involved in meal planning and preparation. Participating in shopping for healthy ingredients and snacks gives them a feeling of ownership of their health and well-being. Before setting them loose in the kitchen with hot appliances and sharp objects, go over safe cooking practices with them, as well as cleanup expectations. Learning these things at a young age will carry over to adulthood in the form of healthier eating habits.

  1. All-in-One Dinner

    • Traditional macaroni and cheese can be slightly modified to include more protein and vegetables. Adding two all-beef franks cut into rounds and a small can of drained English peas to the recipe gives the final dish much more protein and fiber. The directions on the macaroni and cheese box are easy for kids to follow, and they can do it themselves. Young children will need parental supervision or assistance to cut up the franks and open the peas. After they have completed the initial macaroni and cheese dish, they can add the franks and peas to finish the job.

    Microwave-Only Meals

    • Susannah Locketti, television chef and guest blogger for Mom Logic, has a couple of great ideas for kids' dinners. She suggests keeping a large zip-lock baggy of already-cooked pasta with oil in the fridge. The kids will just need to put it in a microwave-safe bowl, add frozen broccoli or other vegetable, and microwave until warm. Locketti's mini pizzas are another great idea. Kids spread red sauce on whole-wheat English muffins, add shredded mozzarella cheese, and microwave for 30 to 45 seconds. Because of minimal mess associated with these two healthy meals, moms will love them too.

    Nuggets: Baked Not Fried

    • The American Heart Association has published a kids' cookbook with several modified recipes of kid favorites to make them healthier. HealthyFridge.org has posted a recipe from the cookbook called "Shake-It-Up Chicken Nuggets." It calls for a pound of boneless skinless chicken breast cut up into nugget-size pieces and seasoned by dipping them in buttermilk and then shaking them in a bag full of seasoned bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese and pepper. The seasoning can be varied to taste. The nuggets are then placed on a cookie sheet in an oven preheated to 450 degrees Fahrenheit for four minutes on each side. The baking saves the fat and calories of deep-frying.

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