Meatless Meal Options That Kids Will Love!
Bella Breakdown
Each night I try and figure out what to make for dinner. Having to feed my 3 kids plus my husband and I is something I have to think about in advance if I am going to put something healthy on the table. I really love cooking (most of the time) and it is important to me to feed my family nutritious and delicious food. While we are not vegetarians, it is always a goal of mine to make at least one meal of the week a meatless one.
Nachos:
You can find healthier whole grain tortilla chips to make this a more wholesome meal option. With toppings like chopped tomatoes, chopped avocado, beans, cheese, peppers, onions, and a little sour cream, you can really pile on the veggie load. Kids think they are eating chips, but meanwhile you are providing a meal with a couple of servings of vegetables.
Eggplant Parmesan:
The fattier version of this is made with fried eggplant and tons of cheese. To make it healthier, I slice eggplant into rounds (keep the skin on- it contains the antioxidant nasunin) and dip it in egg, then a little breadcrumbs. I lay the eggplant into a cookie sheet that I spray with a little olive oil. I top each eggplant piece with a piece of fresh sliced tomato. I bake this at 400° for 15-20 minutes until the eggplant is a little crispy. Then I top each piece with a thin slice of mozzarella and put it back into the oven until the cheese is melted.
Mushroom “Burger”:
Mushrooms are hearty and meaty and perfect for replacing instead of a regular burger. Brush portobello caps with a little olive oil and cook them under the broiler for about 5 minutes per side. Then with the top side down, add your favorite cheese to the mushroom and broil until the cheese is bubbling.
Breakfast for Dinner:
There are some nights when you are SO tempted to throw a frozen pizza in the oven. However, next time you are trying to feed your kids in a short period of time, consider making breakfast for dinner. Making homemade oatmeal and scrambled eggs for dinner doesn’t take long at all! I use Quaker Old Fashioned Oats and I use milk to cook them. I only add a little bit of brown sugar, then also add some cinnamon, chia seeds, chopped dried apricots and raisins. It’s really healthy, filling, and delicious!
Meet The Bella Behind the Blog: Kristen Farley is a mother of three and a domestic goddess. She is a former teacher who enjoys spending lots of time with her kids, healthy eating, volunteering at school, and mommy blogging for the masses.
Be on the lookout for more of Kristen’s expert advice and brilliant tips!
