With kids adjusting to a new schedule, back-to-school is a great time to establish new routines. Try adding one of these quick, easy, and family-friendly meals to your rotation! They all use dark green frozen vegetables for a nutritious, no-prep solution to busy schedules. These recipes also make great leftovers to send in a lunchbox the next day!
Dark green vegetables are good sources of:
- Iron – helps carry oxygen to your muscles
- Vitamin K – important for wound healing
- Calcium – keeps your bones strong
- Vitamin A – important for skin and eye health
- Fiber – helps with digestion and cholesterol levels
Dinnertime Wins
Family meals are an opportunity for your kiddos to see you try (and enjoy) veggies. Kids learn eating habits when they are young and are more likely to try new foods when they see their family eating them. Help your child make healthy food choices by eating more fruits and vegetables and offering them new foods at the dinner table. Celebrate little wins when they try a new fruit or veggie!
Enjoy each other’s company while enjoying family meals. Introduce fun and happy topics to keep mealtime relaxed. For example, you can ask your child about something that made them laugh that day. It’s fun, encouraging, and creates lifetime memories by celebrating small wins they had throughout the day!
Little Helping Hands in the Kitchen
Leave it to dinnertime to bring us together at the end of a long and busy day! Kids like to try foods they help make, so encourage your kids to try new foods by getting them involved in the kitchen. Depending on their age, kids can help with things such as tearing lettuce or greens, washing fruits and vegetables, mashing soft vegetables and beans, and measuring dry or liquid ingredients, or choosing their favorite frozen vegetable to add to the meal. Here are a few kid-friendly recipe ideas your kids can help with!
These enchiladas use frozen spinach and canned chicken breast to save you time! Simply layer the ingredients in the casserole dish and put it in the oven. You can even prep the pan ahead of time and add the sauce just before baking for an easy dinner.
This recipe only takes 25 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for a busy weeknight! Frozen broccoli makes this recipe even easier, so prep time is a breeze.
This recipe is perfect if you’re looking for a warm, hearty meal. Between the kale and mozzarella cheese, this recipe meets 25% of your daily calcium needs in just one serving!
Who doesn’t love a hearty bowl of mac ‘n’ cheese? This recipe takes a family favorite and adds chicken and broccoli to make a satisfying dinner. Serve with fruit for a complete MyPlate meal!
This recipe is entirely made in the microwave, which is perfect for when you don’t want to turn on the oven or get out the pots and pans! Clean-up for this dinner is easy! Use frozen broccoli in this recipe to make the prep even easier.
Let us know if you tried any of these recipes or how you bring the family together on busy school nights by leaving a comment below!
I plan to make all of these. I know my family will love them!