Needless to say, time has taught me the error of my ways. I started listening to my kids and realized, sometimes, it's best to actually do what your kids want. My 5-year-old son recently started asking for Spaghetti and Meatballs. And I realized, it's easy, it can be nutritious, and your kids will actually eat it! So, lo and behold:
Spaghetti & Meatballs (with broccoli & cauliflower on the side)
Ingredients:
1 pkg Spaghetti noodles (cut noodles in half for little kids)
1 12oz can of Classico (or other type) Tomato & Basil sauce
1 12oz pkg of frozen meatballs
1 pkg of SteamFresh broccoli & cauliflower
Parmeson for taste
Directions:
1) First off, start by boiling water in a pot. My easy trick to prevent noodles from sticking is to add some vegetable or olive oil.
2) If you have younger children (who struggle to get noodles wrapped around a fork and revert to shoving it into their mouths, and everywhere else), an easy trick is breaking the noodles in half. It's much easier to eat a smaller noodle than the big ones that fall everywhere, and spray pasta sauce everywhere. After breaking the noodles, put into boiling water pot.
3) Put meatballs on plate and cover with wet paper towel. Cook for about 2-3 minutes (depending on how many meatballs you want to cook). In my family, we cook the whole package. Whatever meatballs don't get eaten by my family, get eaten by the dogs. They all follow my toddler around (she shares)
4) After meatballs are cooked, put the SteamFresh package in the microwave for 5-6 minutes.
Yes, you can absolutely cook fresh vegetables for your family, but on the days when you want them to eat healthy without exhausting yourself in the kitchen, this is a really quick trick (I buy at least 3 of these every week. Sometimes they just make a nice healthy snack)
5) After noodles are cooked, drain and then add in pasta sauce. Cook over stove for 5-6 minutes and then add in meatballs.
Trick:
Some kids are really picky about spaghetti and meatballs touching vegetables. I suggest using a bowl and plate. The spaghetti is easier for kids to scoop and eat out of a bowl, everyone wins!
How do I get my kids to eat their vegetables?
So, I've had this battle for years. Half the problem is the smell or shape or color of a vegetable, and the other half the problem is the taste. If you have those finicky eaters ( we all do), try adding salt or melting cheese over the vegetables. Suddenly that broccoli tastes 100% better with cheese on it (and dairy is good for them!)
6) Serve up your quick dinner meal (Yeah, that took maybe 15 minutes...) and enjoy! Bon Appetit!
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