Easy meals for toddlers thread

Please post yours.... I need ideas.

I'll start. Please give idiot instructions for those who don't know how to cook like me.

Chicken Quesadillas

I buy already grilled chicken and shredded cheese in the bag. I also get the round tortillas. Throw one tortilla in a no stick frying pan, cover with cheese and chicken and let it melt. Then put on another tortilla, flip for a minute or two.

Macaroni and cheese

I use the little tiny tubes- boil the pasta, drain but keep a little of the water on the side.
Mix cheese in (I usually use american but not always), a little of the water, and some milk. I usually throw some peas in there too.

Message edited 1/25/2007 6:51:13 PM.

Re: Easy meals for toddlers thread

oh I like this thread, Im always looking for ideas...toddlers can be so picky!

here's a quick&healthy one:

Ditalini &Veggie soup-
boil pasta in low sodium chicken broth
throw in baby carrots
peas
escarole/spinach
any other veggie I have available cut into bite size-cook till tender,
top w/grated cheese

sometimes I'll throw in an egg right into the broth & cook(for protien) or
Costco has in the frozen section grilled chicken bites(healthier than breaded chix nuggets)that ill add to make it a quick chicken soup!

Re: Easy meals for toddlers thread

also a lot of times when I dont know what to make or need to go food shopping&have no food in the house(ha!) I'll make cheese omelet or scrambled egg w/toast...
I guess youre not getting too many responses bc all the moms are cooking dinner now!lol

Re: Easy meals for toddlers thread

Posted by oopsididitagain

I guess youre not getting too many responses bc all the moms are cooking dinner now!lol

Re: Easy meals for toddlers thread

I just give her what I make but these are great.

Tacos are easy too.

Re: Easy meals for toddlers thread

actual meals that we make? or just ideas?

we make the quesadillas too....chicken & cheese, plain cheese, or beans and cheese (and I use the mexican blend too-she likes it). I usually throw them in the toaster oven on bake till the cheese melts.

toast w/ cheese (open face grilled cheese I guess)---bread in toaster w/ cheese on it.

baked potato--I wash, then poke holes in it with a fork and throw it in the micro and it can be topped w/ cheese, chili, sour cream, Gerber makes a micro meal veggie stew w/ beef (she likes it!) on the potato,

I'll throw a sweet potato in the toaster....wash, poke holes, put on baking tray lined w/ foil, 30 min, flip and another 30 min. You can put some butter, cinnamon & nutmeg or leave it plain

Tyson breaded chicken w/ frozen veggies...I'll throw some in a bowl and in the micro along with some tater tots in the toaster.

Baked ziti! so easy....boil pasta, mix w/ sauce, ricotta cheese, some mozarella, put in baking tray (disposable) and bake till cheese is melted & stringy. Can serve w/ bread.

Meatballs....I have an actual recipe if you'd like. I bake mine and freeze in ziploc bags. Microwave for 30 seconds or 45 and serve w/ mac n cheese, ziti, regular pasta w/ sauce. you can melt mozarella on top too.

I make a homemade sauce for all our pasta and use w/ any kind of noodle or tortellini (they make both meat or cheese frozen, or cheese comes dried in the pasta aisle).

We have not tried pesto sauce yet because it contains nuts, but I make this for us w/ tortellini and the California mix frozen veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots). I have given Alyson this combo plain without pesto and she likes it w/ just some parmesan on top.

Plain ol rice & beans. Chick full of protein. Although Alyson is not too keen on rice.

Creamy rice w/ any meat.....1 can of cream of "something" soup (I use mushroom--an old comfort food from when I was growing up and one of the few things I ate!). Put in saucepan....half a can of water...bring to a boil. Add one full can of minute rice. Bring to a boil and remove from heat, let stand for about 5 min (or longer). Alyson loved the creamy texture.

Sauteed zucchini....saute slices in olive oil. Season to taste (we actually use Blackening seasoning and she eats it...has a little kick to it).

Picadillo....it's a spanish meat dish in a tomato sauce. There is a recipe posted on Recipes by Jax230 which is easy. I add potatoes to it and we serve it over rice. Again, can be made mild or with kick...depending on how you like it.

Goulash from the slow cooker...stew meat w/ green peppers & onions in a tomato based sauce. Served w/ egg noodles (if you want a recipe, I have one).

Plain old roasted chicken. Season as you like. Serve with potato, rice, pasta dish. Use left overs for quesadillas.

Hope that helps!!!

Re: Easy meals for toddlers thread

I love these ideas. This is a great thread

Message edited 1/25/2007 10:02:54 PM.

Re: Easy meals for toddlers thread

bumping so it doesn't get lost

Re: Easy meals for toddlers thread

This thread is so old-but I looked it up to bump bc I am having serious issues with my 2 yo-
he doesnt want to eat anything except candy&cookies
I am looking for ideas ... please post some tried & true(possibly healthy) recipes!!!! TIA!

Re: Easy meals for toddlers thread

Here's an easy side dish idea...

Peel and slice up sweet potato. Toss to coat lightly with olive oil, cinnamon, and brown sugar. bake at 400 or so for about 20 minutes or until tender. YummY!

But a staple meal for DD is whole wheat pasta with butter (non dairy). I throw in peas so I feel like it has some value. Plus cut up avocado.

She's not a big meat fan so I give her kidney beans, black beans etc...she loves them.

Re: Easy meals for toddlers thread

Well I will respond to keep this going. How about some Breakfast ideas for a 13 monthold? Need some suggestions

Re: Easy meals for toddlers thread

This was February's daycare menu. If you want I can post each month's for idea for everyone.

Message edited 3/24/2007 7:45:31 AM.

Re: Easy meals for toddlers thread

Re: Easy meals for toddlers thread

Breakfast I do: (all followed by fruit)

Cheerios
Toasted Raisin Bread
Yogurt
waffles

very rarely eggs

Re: Easy meals for toddlers thread

breakfast in our house for Alyson can be:
*ALWAYS FRUIT*
plain waffle w/ touch of butter
blueberry waffle
a piece of toast w/ cream cheese
half a plain lenders bagel w/ cream cheese
french toast stix (2 normally)
a homemade pancake (I make a double batch and freeze them in ziplocs of 4 or 5 at a time. Keep the current bag in fridge).
Oatmeal...plain instant oatmeal w/ cinnamon sugar sprinkled on it (LOVES IT)

now there are days she eats all her brakfast and days where she eats almost 2 whole pieces of fruit and half a waffle....

you can also do cereal w/ milk (she shares mine when I eat it)
she'll eat my flavored oatmeal
cereal bar
yogurt
smoothies made w/ yogurt

Re: Easy meals for toddlers thread

OK so waht I give Sara on the weedkends is the same as everyone else

Re: Easy meals for toddlers thread

Re: Easy meals for toddlers thread

BUMP