3 Fast and Healthy Dinner Recipes To Cook With Your Kids

[HeatherNYC]

"MOOOO-OOOOMMMM!! What's for dinner?"

Does that question drive you a bit crazy? Mix in the pressure for that meal to be healthy, something the kids will eat, AND fast because we all are short on time these days, making dinner can become just another chore for your To Do List. Maybe you turn to the microwave a bit more than you should, you open up some boxes of processed food more than you should.  It doesn't have to be that way. Cooking dinner is the perfect time to engage your kids, get them involved, and teach them how simple it is to fix a healthy meal, something that they can carry with them as they get older when they will make their own dinner decisions.

We have a few quick, healthy recipes that you and your kids can make together in about 30 minutes.  Most of them serve four, so adjust the amounts accordingly for your family size.

Tortellini with Garden Veggies

This yummy dinner is ready in 15 minutes! How can you beat that? By the time your kids are done setting the table while naming all of the different types of pasta they can think of, it will be done! From EatBetterAmerica.com, this dish is healthy and a little different than your usual pasta night meal.

What You need:

1 package refrigerated cheese-filled tortellini box (9 oz)
1 broccoli cuts (or other frozen vegetable)
2 1/2 cups quartered cherry tomatoes
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves or parsley
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
1 1/2 teaspoons olive or canola oil
4 medium green onions, sliced (1/4 cup)
2 medium cloves garlic, finely chopped
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste, if desired

-- Cook tortellini as directed on package, adding broccoli for the last 2 to 3 minutes of cook time; drain thoroughly.

-- Add remaining ingredients except salt and pepper; toss. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Spinach and Cheese Calzones

Line up the family and make an assembly line or have each kiddo fold their own -- either way your kids will have a fun time helping you make this recipe from FamilyEducation.com. The ooey-gooey cheese keeps them distracted from the healthy spinach they are eating. Note: this one actually serves 6; any extras can be frozen, thawed and reheated -- just wrap them individually with freezer wrap and store in plastic freezer bags to keep them fresh.

What you need: 

1 pound frozen bread dough, thawed and divided into 6 equal pieces
3 to 4 cups frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1 cup nonfat ricotta cheese
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/3 cup egg substitute
2 tablespoons grated nonfat Parmesan cheese
1 1/2 cups nonfat pasta sauce

-- Roll dough pieces on floured surface until about 1/4 inch thick.

-- Combine spinach, ricotta cheese, garlic powder, egg substitute and Parmesan cheese in a medium bowl; mix until blended.

-- Divide filling among bread pieces; fold dough over top and crimp down with a fork.

-- Preheat oven to 400F. Line baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray.

-- Arrange calzones on baking sheet; spray lightly with cooking spray.

-- Pour pasta sauce into microwave-safe bowl; cover and heat 1 to 2 minutes until warm and serve with cooked calzones.

Stir-Fried Orange Beef

This is another quick, simple recipe from FamilyEducation.com that let's you branch out to other cuisines in your home without any fuss at all. Have your kids play sous chef, handing you all of the ingredients. Quiz them on items as they pass them to you -- have them guess what else that ingredient is used in (brown sugar will be a toughie). Skip the usual white rice and choose brown rice instead to make it really healthy. I promise the tangy orange flavor will make it a fave family meal.

What you need:

1 Tablespoon sesame oil (can use all canola oil if necessary)
1 Tablespoon canola oil
1 lb. steak tips, sliced thin (approximately 1/4 inch)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 large onion, sliced thin (approximately 1/8 inch)
1 teaspoons crushed garlic
6 oz. peapods, fresh or frozen
1 (6-oz.) can water chestnuts (optional)
1/2 cup orange juice
1 Tablespoon  soy sauce
1 Tablespoon  orange zest
2 Tablespoons brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Orange slices to garnish

-- Heat sesame and canola oils in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat.

-- Sprinkle beef slices with salt, and cook four minutes or until done. Remove beef to a separate plate and reduce heat to medium.

-- Cook onion for two minutes. Add garlic and cook for one minute. Add peapods and water chestnuts, and cook for an additional two minutes or until pods are still crisp but turning tender.

-- Return beef to wok or skillet, add orange juice, soy sauce, orange zest, brown sugar, and pepper. Cook, stirring, for one minute.

Share your favorite quick and healthy dinner recipe here!

[batjmom]

 Those are some great ideas.

My kids favorite fast easy meal is Angel hair pasta tossed in olive oil with fresh grated Parmesan cheese, Roma tomatoes and cracked black pepper.  (grilled chicken added to it is good too. )

[ashleyfm]

 Thanks for some great ideas! I want us to try the tortellini one because I think it will be a hit in our house. I will have to add some grilled chicken or something because dh has to have some meat.

[menmy2lilmen]

These all sound really yummy. I think the calzones sound really yummy. The only issue is trying to convince my ds1 that the "green" stuff will not kill him. He loves corn and only corn. Well and the occasional potato.

[tyfry7496]

Sound yummy but my might only eat the Orange Chicken.

[deedee3849]

I'd like to try the tortellini and the orange beef, sounds yummy!

We love whole grain pasta in a light alfredo sauce. A side of garlic bread and some broccoli finish it off. Sometimes I add chicken or vegetables into the pasta as well. Dh loves seafood in his.

[sunshine86912]

thanks for the ideas! cheese and spinch calzones sound AMAZING!

[bethany169]

Yum! Can't wait to try these!

[lajoy]

 Yum! I need to try the tortellini!

[foodie.at.heart]

I love getting new recipes. Thanks for sharing these!

[sunshine86912]

so has any one tried any of these yet?