Are you tired of mealtime battles and wasted dinners? You're not alone - it can be a challenging task to get kids to eat nutritionally balanced meals. But with a little creativity, meal planning can turn into a fun, engaging project that your children would love to participate in. In this blog post, we will discuss some creative, nutritious dinner recipes that your kids will not only enjoy but also look forward to eating.

1. Hidden Veggie Pasta Sauce

Getting kids to consume enough vegetables can be a Herculean task, but this recipe makes it easier. We'll sneak in those veggies undercover in a delicious pasta sauce.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of your child's favorite pasta
• 1 cup of mixed veggies (carrots, bell peppers, zucchini)
• 1 can of tomato sauce
• Spices: garlic, oregano, salt, pepper

How to Make:

Cook the pasta as per package instructions. Meanwhile, steam the vegetables until soft. Blend the steamed veggies along with the tomato sauce until smooth. Heat a pan, add some garlic, pour the sauce, add oregano, salt, and pepper, and let it simmer. Mix the pasta in, and voila!

2. Rainbow Wraps

These are colorful, fun, and packed with nutrients. The idea is to include as many colors of the rainbow as possible in the wrap.

Ingredients:

• Whole grain tortillas
• Various colored veggies (red bell peppers, carrots, yellow bell peppers, cucumber, purple cabbage)
• Protein of choice (chicken, tofu, beans)
• Dressing (hummus, yogurt)

How to Make:

Start by preparing your protein - grill the chicken, scramble the tofu or prepare the beans. Slice all your veggies into thin strips. Spread the dressing on the tortilla, layer your protein, and add the veggies. Roll it up and cut into halves.

3. DIY Mini Pizzas

Who doesn't love pizza? With this recipe, your kids can make their own mini pizzas, choosing their own healthy toppings.

Ingredients:

• Whole grain English muffins
• Tomato sauce
• Shredded cheese
• Toppings (bell peppers, mushrooms, olives, tomatoes, spinach)

How to Make:

Split the English muffins in half and toast them lightly. Spread tomato sauce on each half, sprinkle some cheese, and let your kids add their favorite toppings. Bake in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Conclusion

These are just a few ideas to get you started. The key to getting kids excited about their food is to involve them in the process, from meal planning to grocery shopping to cooking. Not only will they learn important life skills, but they will also develop a healthier relationship with food. Remember, the goal is not perfection, but progress. Happy meal planning!

Try Yumm Yummy's meal planning tools to create balanced meal plans, save recipes, get AI-powered suggestions for plans and recipes - sign up for free today!