I’d love to hear some of your Go-To recipes for feeding your families/toddlers etc! I’m sure others will also definitely benefit from some meal inspiration, I’m feeling bored of our usual fare!
[name_f][/name_f](If a thread like this exists, please direct me to it!!)
[name_m]Great[/name_m] idea, I’d love to see what works for other people and get some inspiration!
[name_f][/name_f]I’ll just share a couple of my picky toddlers favorite meals and snacks (aside from basic stuff that most picky toddlers will eat like grilled cheese, dino nuggets, etc.) and my toddler eats a lot of fruit I’d say he snacks on different fruits all day long so we always have plenty of that available so that’s nice I don’t have to prepare anything or give many processed snacks! [name_m]Easy[/name_m] peasy. Keeping it simple is what works best for me
[name_f][/name_f]Dinner: I love the chicken pot pie recipe from the Campbells website! [name_m]You[/name_m] can make it as easy and quick as the recipe or you can make it all from scratch. [name_f]My[/name_f] toddler loves it and it helps get some veggies in him! There’s something so comforting about chicken pot pie.
[name_f][/name_f]Breakfast: Plain oats with milk, frozen blueberries, and honey. A healthy breakfast and it’s my toddlers favorite of all time!
[name_f][/name_f]Snack: Homemade: energy balls with oats, peanut butter, dark chocolate chips, chia seeds, grade a maple syrup or honey.
[name_f][/name_f]Store bought: [name_f]Lara[/name_f] bars, pistachios, mixed nuts, whole grain crackers, fruit of all kinds,
Dessert: cool whip and fruit
[name_f][/name_f]Lunch: chopped cooked chicken breast and steamed carrots with ranch.
[name_f]Love[/name_f] this idea!! 
Posy’s go-to breakfast is weetbix with fruit, greek yoghurt, and honey.
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]She[/name_f] snacks on fruit, crackers, cheese, greek yoghurt, and sweet biscuits (cookies) during the day. [name_f]She[/name_f] loves “cake”, by which she means any baked, bread-y product, so I make her muffins for snacks sometimes. I’m trying to find more homemade snack ideas, but I’ve thrown a couple of things out that she wouldn’t eat, so it’s a bit of a gamble. If anyone has well-loved toddler snack recipes, I’d love to hear about it!
[name_f][/name_f][name_m]Her[/name_m] favourite[name_f][/name_f] dinner is spaghetti bolognese. [name_f]She[/name_f] will always eat it!
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]My[/name_f] recipe is:
[name_f][/name_f]Garlic (amount of preference)
[name_f][/name_f]2-3 x brown onions
[name_f][/name_f]1 kg beef mince
[name_f][/name_f]2 x tins of diced tomatoes
[name_f][/name_f]1 x tub of tomato paste (about 140 g)
[name_f][/name_f]1 large bottle of passata (about 700 ml)
[name_f][/name_f]Herbs of choice (to taste)
[name_f][/name_f]Salt + [name_f]Pepper[/name_f] (to taste)
[name_f][/name_f]A splash of red wine (optional)
[name_f][/name_f]A splash of cow’s milk
[name_f][/name_f]Pasta of choice (we prefer spaghetti or fettuccine)
[name_f][/name_f]Pasta water
I have lots of well-loved recipes. If you’re looking for something particular, let me know and I’ll see what I have in my collection. It’s unfortunate that we can’t post photos anymore, because that would be the easiest way to do this, rather than writing everything out again!
Disclaimer that I am very much not a parent, but I do like to cook for the kids I look after sometimes!
Snacks
• I love the Cookies and Kate healthy banana bread recipe (it has honey so obviously be careful with that or use maple syrup; I find all wholemeal flour a bit bland so I do half and half will all purpose).
• You truly cannot go wrong with egg muffins. Eggs, cream or milk, cheese, any veggies you like, whisk, stick in the oven in a muffin tin, done.
• We recently made the carrot mini pizza recipe from @yummy_little_belly on TikTok which was actually surprisingly good!
Dinner
• Baked potatoes with cheese and homemade baked beans, I use the Bold Bean Co recipe.
• Smitten Kitchen sweet potato & refried bean tacos (Smitten Kitchen is the goat and she has a whole “kids favourite” tab that might be helpful)
[name_m]Rowan[/name_m] has gotten picky in her toddler-hood, but she’ll eat pretty much any vegetable if it is inside ravioli. We buy various options from the store to change up the veggies she gets, since neither my husband nor I are inclined to regularly make our own pasta. We also do a lot of fried rice with tofu, edamame, and other veggies [name_f][/name_f]- she mostly eats the rice and protein sources. We usually do Greek yogurt or cottage cheese with various things in it for breakfasts, and she typically gets some cereal or toast with this. If we have avocados, she likes avocado toast. [name_f]Ro[/name_f] loves dairy so she is also big on quesedillas and really anything involving cheese. For snacks she often has cheese or fruit. [name_f]She[/name_f] used to love hummus, so that and pita was an easy snack for her, but she is recently less into it.
[name_f][/name_f]We also make this polenta recipe a friend shared that is 2 cans of white beans (which [name_f]Ro[/name_f] no longer eats, but will eat around), 2 cups or halved cherry tomatoes, 6 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/4lb crumbled feta cheese, a generous hand full or more of pitted black olives, an 18 oz tube of pre-cooked polenta cut into 1/4 in thick slices, 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, and as much olive oil as suits you. [name_m]You[/name_m] mix together everything but the parm and polenta in a 9x13 baking dish, put the cut polenta on top and drizzle some olive oil, sprinkle on the Parm and some salt, and bake ar 425 fahrenheit for about 45 minutes. We haven’t made it in a bit because tomatoes aren’t great here this time of year, but it was a big hit when they were more in season.
I do remember a conversation like this awhile back, but I think it’s buried in one of the TTC or parenting threads. Love the topic, I enjoy cooking and can always use some fresh inspiration!
@Mary_Rose is right, Smitten Kitchen is the GOAT! My kids like those sweet potato tacos too. Deb is my go-to for meal ideas, especially if you’re looking to cook more from scratch. Her recipes are always well-tested and as streamlined as she can get them. https://smittenkitchen.com/
For breakfast, we usually alternate between something oat-based and something egg-based. Stovetop oatmeal with raisins/bananas/berries, brown sugar, and milk or cream or Greek yogurt; homemade granola (my go-to is Smitten Kitchen’s pepita granola, but I’ve stripped it down to the bones—oats, coconut, olive oil, honey, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt: https://smittenkitchen.com/2007/10/pumpkin-butter-and-pepita-granola/); baked oatmeal (I use this one and bake it in a muffin tin: https://www.cookingclassy.com/amish-baked-oatmeal/)
Scrambled eggs, cheese omelets, eggs over easy for my husband, often with bacon or sausage. I like baking my bacon these days; you can just throw it in a sheet pan at 400 and let it go 15-20 minutes, usually flipping it once, while you get the rest of breakfast on the table. I often make biscuits to go with an eggy breakfast. I like Smitten Kitchen’s Favorite Buttermilk Biscuits if it’s a weekend or breakfast-for-dinner, but for fast workday mornings I have a recipe from an old copy of Taste of Home magazine that I can get into the oven in less than 10 minutes. 1 cup flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp table salt, 2 T oil, 1/2 cup milk. I usually add a splash more milk so I can just drop them on a sheet pan instead of rolling them out. 10 minutes at 450, maybe 12 at 400 if you’re already doing bacon.
For lunch, especially when it’s just me and the kids during the work week, some of our go-tos are pasta: homemade mac and cheese (again, SK’s https://smittenkitchen.com/2018/02/quick-essential-stovetop-mac-and-cheese/. I usually use a blend of parm and cheddar), noodles boiled with frozen broccoli or peas and finished with garlic oil and parm; cheese quesadillas; popcorn with browned butter, usually served with sliced apples and cheese on the side; any leftovers from last night’s supper.
Some of our go-to suppers: spaghetti and meatballs (https://smittenkitchen.com/2019/03/perfect-meatballs-and-spaghetti/), chicken noodle soup (our favorite is SK’s ginger garlic chicken noodle, which simmers chicken thighs with grated ginger and garlic and finishes the soup with a soy sauce/vinegar drizzle; it’s in her cookbook Smitten Kitchen Keepers); homemade pizza (SK has a bunch of good ones, as does King Arthur Baking. I like to double my crust recipe and par bake a couple extra crusts to top and freeze, which makes a second pizza night super fast and easy); tacos, usually easy ones with ground beef and beans, or else chicken fajitas; chili and cornbread. We live in a place where we can catch our own salmon, so I have a freezer full of it and serve it once or twice a week: broiled or grilled with a teriyaki marinade, usually with rice and a veggie/stirfry/salad on the side; baked with lentils and a yogurt sauce (that’s from Sheet Pan Suppers by Molly Gilbert); flaked in patties or a loaf, usually with a side of baked potato wedges, ketchup, spicy mayo and horseradish (if I have canned salmon on hand, this one’s very easy); spicy salmon maki bowls (https://www.simplyscratch.com/spicy-salmon-maki-bowl/) Leftover cooked salmon goes into my husband’s work lunches or into easy salmon chowder with onions, carrots and potatoes.
I love keeping a bag of skinless, boneless chicken thighs in the freezer. They can go into so many quick suppers.
[name_m]Oh[/name_m]! And baked potatoes. I often do those on [name_f]Sunday[/name_f] for either lunch or supper—I wrap them in foil and bake them for an hour to an hour and a half at 375 before we leave for church. I turn the oven off but leave them in there while we’re gone, and then when we get home I just turn the oven back on for a few minutes to rewarm them. Sometimes I bake a pan of chopped broccoli and bacon alongside, for topping the potatoes. Those bake closer to half an hour and have to come out while we’re gone so they don’t burn.
@NameSearchAccount[name_f][/name_f] Raviloi is a great idea! I should try that with our pasta-obsessed girlie.
[name_f][/name_f]@auroradawn[name_f][/name_f] I used to make P oats when she was smaller, but haven’t for a while. I should try again!
[name_f][/name_f]Baked potatoes are a great idea! I haven’t made them for a long time. P loves potato and cheese, so I’m sure it’d be a winner!
[name_f][/name_f]Thanks for the website links.
Anyone dealt with a toddler that won’t swallow meat? I think she likes the flavour, but not the texture. She’ll chew it, but then spits it out. [name_m]The[/name_m] only meat she consistently swallows is bacon. She’s always excited for steak or chicken, but not much makes it to her stomach!
I tire of eating the same things so I keep a few running lists for meal/snack/baking ideas to refer to each week when I meal plan. [name_f][/name_f] These are my son’s favourites / some of the easiest in my rotation.
[name_f][/name_f]Breakfast
[name_f][/name_f]Overnight oats – [name_f]So[/name_f] easy, I do this whenever we need to be out of the house early in the morning because I can prepare the night before. [name_f]My[/name_f] toddler likes it with chia, apple and peanut butter.
Smoothies – [name_f]My[/name_f] toddler loves a banana smoothie. I do this about once a week with greek yoghurt and I serve it with toast.
[name_f][/name_f]Porridge – [name_f]My[/name_f] toddler often asks for this. Now he’s a bit older he can choose one sweet addition like raisins, honey, chopped dates. We do various nuts, seeds, spices and coconut for toppings and fresh fruit on the side.
[name_f][/name_f]Lunch
[name_f][/name_f]Platters – [name_f]My[/name_f] go-to because no plan needed. Usually a combination of crackers, cheese, dip, nuts, raw vegies and fruit. Good for exposure to vegies I don’t often use in my cooking otherwise.
Pasta salad – We’ve been experimenting with salads lately and found my toddler enjoys homemade pasta salad with a light dressing of yoghurt, mayo and water, then I add grated cheese, boiled egg, beans and whatever vegies I have on hand. Couscous salad with chickpeas with a lemon honey dressing was also a hit.
[name_f][/name_f]Dinner
[name_f][/name_f]Soup – I make a thick lentil soup served with rice as an alternative to dahl because it’s milder. [name_f]My[/name_f] toddler always enjoys it. Potato and cauliflower soup and pumpkin soup with garlic bread are also meals he always eats.
Quesadillas – I make blackbean and cheese, and mushroom, spinach and cheese fillings and then bake them altogether on trays in the oven to save time. Quick and simple.
[name_f][/name_f]Snacks
[name_f][/name_f]Muffins and slices – I usually only sweeten with fruit. [name_f]My[/name_f] toddler loves blueberry and banana, apple cinnamon, and pumpkin spice.
Oat balls – Usually with dates, nut butters and coconut but I’ll change it up depending on what I have.
[name_f][/name_f]Roasted vege chips – [name_f]Sweet[/name_f] potato and zucchini are the favourites. I sometimes add a parmesan panko crumb topping.
@_thelittlefairywren I didn’t eat meat until I was about 16 because I hated the texture. Eventually forced myself to start eating it because I was tired of taking amino acids, B vitamins, and iron to supplement some pretty severe nutrient deficiencies. I’m on the autism spectrum though, so my sensory issues are probably more extreme than what your daughter is dealing with. She might just have to come around to it on her own.
Do you make your bacon crispy? She may need the crunch. Have you tried meat over nachos?
One of my brothers wouldn’t swallow meat as a toddler. A couple times, my mom found him an hour or so after a meal with a mushy mouthful, as he hadn’t spit it out either! He eventually came around, especially after he got more teeth. He was a late teether.
@_thelittlefairywren[name_f][/name_f] I had the exact same issue as a kid; I am now a vegetarian and have been happily for 12 years. [name_m]Not[/name_m] sure that’s what you want to hear, but it’s definitely a thing! I’m sure she’ll do better than me and grow out of it lol.
No, she likes soft bacon. She spits it out if it’s crunchy. The most success we’ve had is with ground beef - she loves spaghetti and savoury mince with vegetables. I do think textures are a factor for her.
I was vegan for 10 years before deficiencies and diabetes in pregnancy meant I needed the additional, high protien food source. I’m not bothered at all if she chooses to be plant-based later, but at the moment her diet is no where near varied enough to pull it off.
[name_f]So[/name_f] many great replies and ideas!!! I love it! Sorry to post and ghost but the forums have been horrendous for weeks, anyone else?!
[name_f][/name_f]Smoothies have become a staple here since my last post. Using high fat plain Greek yogurt (Krema brand for other Canadians), Hemp seed, avocado, any fruit that’s available and then I use the rest to freeze into popsicles, which she’s obsessed with even in -30 weather.
[name_f][/name_f]Last night for dinner she ate a bunch of pan fried ground beef, no sauce or anything going on. [name_f]She[/name_f] used to love marinara but is now really weird about it. Toddlers can be so strange!
It’s so weird when they go from “completely obsessed” to “eww, no” over a food. Why?! 
Incoming! [name_m]Had[/name_m] a chance to gather up some recipes we’ve tried a few times!!
This soup is REALLY yummy! I use bone broth to boost the nutrients, works great with frozen pumpkin puree and frozen butternut squash! I find it a touch bland so I bump up the salt and add pumpkin pie spices!! Freezes well! My friends SUPER picky toddler loves it, works well as a light pasta sauce for toddlers.
These muffins are so yummy if you’ve got bananas that need a home!
This is super easy to put together, [name_f]Olenna[/name_f] isn’t a huge fan but one of my partner’s favourites!
One of our go to side dishes! [name_m]The[/name_m] key is to toast the quinoa before cooking it (always do this!) and then be sure to not overcook the quinoa (There’s a website with great instructions below!)
This meatloaf recipe is fantastic, I modify with extra garlic, and wayyyyy less onion. If you’ve don’t like an oniony loaf, chop the onion up a lot and use half or less of her suggested amount.
[name_m]Easy[/name_m] and super tasty beef stroganoff, we’ve also made this recipe with beef stew cubes (cut smaller if huge) with great success. [name_f]Olenna[/name_f] loves the broad egg noodles in the sauce!
If you love chocolate chip cookies like I do, these are the ones. [name_m]You[/name_m] almost shouldn’t make them, they’ll ruin other cookies for you. They WILL look undercooked when they are done, trust the process.
This is a new addition to our line up, basically tastes like a deconstructed stuffed pepper. My partner mentioned they’d do great with a bit of heat, so next time I’ll made sprinkle in some chili powder, possibly some chopped jalapeño to bump it up.
This is such a simple and easy dish! It also tastes great on tortilla chips! We’ve only made it with ground beef (because that’s what wasn’t frozen #toddlermom ) and it’s really great even without sliced steak. Used thick slice bacon, DEFINITELY drain the grease if using ground beef or you’ll get a sloppy mess. Top it with some fresh pico de gallo for spice and crunch, it’s so good. We used Monterrey jack cheese (mozza wasn’t great last time), I’d love to try the recommended cheeses but I’ll need to find them, no luck yet.
Thought I’d share this toddler approved recipe! [name_f]She[/name_f] loves it!
My only change was adding swedes to the mash to improve the consistency (I’d usually use turnips, but couldn’t find any at the couple shops I went to) and I added a packet of winter veg mix to the meat.
@_thelittlefairywren Its like you read my mind, I was just thinking about shepherds pie the other day, I’ve never made it!
My great grandma gifted me a very vintage and very loved cook book and a few things in it have been a hit! I wish I could insert photographs.
• Mayonnaise Chocolate Cake (just divine)
• Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole
• Tuna Noodle Casserole
• Chilled 3 Bean Salad (great side for taco night)
• Old Fashioned Molasses Cookies
• Salmon Cakes
• Chicken & Dumpling Soup
• Stuffed Bell Peppers
I’ve also been using avocado every day, it’s so tasty for sandwiches, just on toast or crackers, or with dinner. It really fills us up!
I’ve been making homemade trail mix with mixed nuts, extra pistachios, chocolate covered pistachios, raisins, and those peanut butter filled pretzels - mixed together and thrown in huge mason jars. For snacks they will have trail mix and a banana and/or apple.
I’ve been making protein smoothies with frozen banana and frozen organic blueberries, almond milk, vanilla protein powder, and peanut butter. They taste more like a milkshake and are so so so good!
I also make overnight oats with just oats, milk, honey, and cinnamon in mason jars. Makes the mornings so much easier for me! I can throw in any fruits I want in the morning if I choose to make them special.