One-Pot Meals for Kids

If you have ever tried to cook with kids, you know the prep work can get frustrating. Kids aren't known for their patience, especially when food is involved. Any patience your kids have will fly out the window if dinner isn't on the table fast!

As your child watches you get out cutting boards, knives, colanders, beaters, cookbooks, peelers, whisks, measuring cups and spoons, pots, pans, baking sheets, etc. etc. etc., their eyes will most likely glaze over. Of course, we want our kids to learn to cook, but there has got to be an easier way, for both you and your kids.
The one pot meal is a cooking method made for kids. Having too many procedures can intimidate kids and make them want to skip the process altogether. Cooking should be fun, not frustrating.

Having a few simple one pot meals that a child can help put together is the easiest way to encourage a child to spend time in the kitchen cooking. Here is a list a couple of the easiest meals that kids can put together in one pot with ingredients that are simple to use.

Gourmet Mac-N-Cheese Pot

"Macaroni" and cheese. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Okay, it's really not gourmet, but your child doesn't need to know that. Start with a basic macaroni and cheese recipe. Get out a pot and prepare the mac and cheese according to the recipe. This is definitely a recipe every kid likes to make, so you're on your way already to a kid-friendly recipe.

After the mac and cheese is done, mix a frozen or canned vegetable into the mac and cheese. Frozen sweet peas work well, as does frozen broccoli. Your child may even like to try mixing in salsa and pinto beans or black beans for a Mexican macaroni and cheese dish. Just be sure your child chooses the ingredients so the dish is his or her own creation. You can stop there and serve, or you can create a cheesier version by adding more shredded cheese, or a creamier creation by adding cream cheese. And you can always stir in some shredded chicken if you want to add more protein and texture.

Ramen PB Crunch Thai Pot

It doesn't get much easier than this. Ramen noodles are turned into a delightfully delicious, and nutritious, meal with the addition of peanut butter (for protein) and veggies. Start simply by making the ramen noodles in a big pot according to package directions. You can use the flavor packets or leave them out. I recommend, however, that if you do use them, use only one.

Once the ramen noodles are done, take a tablespoon or more of good peanut butter and stir it into the hot ramen noodles. Now, here's where your child can choose other ingredients to add. If you keep cans of chop suey vegetables handy, that may be a good one to choose. Bean sprouts and water chestnuts alone would also be nice. Frozen french cut green beans or broccoli or sweet peas are all good choices. The more you let your child choose, the more likely it is that the meal will be eaten, and enjoyed.

Quinoa with Bacon and Vegetables (Photo credit: fritish)

Fluffy Veggie Pot

Instead of serving your child a vegetable or salad, which may very likely be pushed around the plate and not eaten, have your child cook up a full meal deal with veggies buried in fluffy stuff. For this dish you can choose either rice or quinoa for the 'fluff' portion of the meal. Start by cooking a pot of rice or quinoa according to directions on the box.

While the rice or quinoa is cooking, have your child choose the veggies for the pot.  Any assortment works just as long as your child gets to choose. When the quinoa or rice is done cooking, fluff it up with a fork, then toss in the veggies. It's that simple. Add seasoning to taste. If your child likes Mexican food, they might want to sprinkle in some taco seasoning and perhaps add pinto beans, corn, and some chopped tomatoes. The idea is to let your child have fun fluffing up the ingredients in the pot and then sitting down to a scrumptious bowl of healthy goodness.

We know that when we get kids involved in preparing and cooking their own meals they eat better. Try these simple one pot meals with your kids and they could start branching out on their own, looking for even more ways to create delicious meals for themselves, or maybe the whole family!