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Rochester Local

15-ish Minutes to Kid-Approved Dinners

dinner timeThere is no arguing we are living in crazy times right now. Everyone’s daily routines have been completely upended. Things we took for granted before, like easily accessible toiletries, are becoming a commodity. As our workplaces, schedules, and duties shift, something as simple making dinner can seem like a mountain-sized challenge. I’m here to help with that! Below you will find a variety of dinners that aren’t only easy to make and quick to the table, but they also get “two thumbs up” from my kiddos and are often requested. Depending on the age of your children and the size of your kitchen, I’ve even included ways they can help in preparations! Here are some family favorites from my clan to yours: 

Greek Yogurt Pesto

Number of ingredients: 8-9

Estimated time from start to table: 15 minutes

Source: Me

Ingredients:

2 cloves minced garlic (or more…)

1 package of fresh basil (2 oz)

2 cups fresh spinach, kale, or any other dark greens you have

¼ cup nuts (walnuts, pecans, pine nuts, etc.)

⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil

¼ cup grated parmesan

½ cup plain Greek yogurt (or more if you want creamier)

1 lb pasta (we like bowtie, but any spiral will do)

Directions:

  • Combine garlic, basil, spinach, and nuts in bowl of a food processor or a blender and process until finely chopped, scraping down sides of bowl once or twice. 
  • With motor running, add olive oil in a slow, steady stream. Mix until mostly smooth.
  • Scrape mixture into a small bowl and stir in cheese and yogurt. Season with salt. 
  • Cover with plastic and refrigerate for up to 3 days, until ready to use. I usually use it immediately, though. 
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta until al dente. 
  • Reserve 1/2 cup cooking liquid. Drain pasta and return to pot. 
  • Toss with pesto. If pasta looks too dry, add reserved cooking liquid, 1 Tbsp. at a time, to moisten. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

*You can add a variety of meats. We’ve done leftover smoked chicken, grilled chicken, ham, and my favorite: shrimp. 

*I usually double this one because the leftovers are even better!*

How children can help: 

  • Add the ingredients to the food processor
  • Pulse the food processor
  • Stir the yogurt mix
  • Help fold the pasta and sauce together

 

Ham-bonara

Number of ingredients: 5

Estimated time from start to table:  20 minutes

Source: Me

Ingredients:

1 lb angel hair pasta

1 ham steak, cubed

4 large or extra-large eggs

½ cup grated parmesan (divided)

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions: 

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the pasta. Stir occasionally.  When at desired doneness, reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta and set aside. 
  • In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs with half the Parmesan and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
  • Return pasta to pan while both are still warm. Add egg mixture and toss to coat.
  • Add cubed ham. Garnish with remaining cheese if desired. 
  • Serve with a side of fresh fruit.

*I usually double this one because the leftovers are even better!*

How children can help: 

  • Practice cracking eggs
  • Stir egg and cheese mixture
  • Add ham and stir

 

Calico Beans

Number of ingredients: 11

Time from start to table:  15 minutes

Source: My mother-in-law

Ingredients:

Large can of baked beans (55oz)

2 cans of kidney beans, drained (light or dark)

1 can of butter beans, drained

1 can of navy beans, drained

1 can garbanzo beans, drained

1 lb of hamburger or turkey burger

1 onion, diced

½ cup ketchup

1 tbsp mustard

½ cup brown sugar (light or dark)

1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, but regular works, too

Directions:

  • Brown hamburger with diced onion in a stockpot or dutch oven
  • When most to all pink is gone, add all the beans and stir
  • Add remaining ingredients and stir
  • Heat until at desired warmth and eat!

*makes great leftovers!!

How children can help:

  • Removing lids from cans
  • Dumping cans of beans in pot
  • Adding other ingredients to pan
  • Stirring beans to combine

 

Instant Pot Quinoa Pizza Casserole

Number of Ingredients: 8-9

Time from start to table: 20 minutes

Source: https://thegirlonbloor.com/

Ingredients:

2 cups chicken broth or stock

2 cups sliced mushrooms (optional)

1 cup dry, rinsed quinoa

2 cups pizza or spaghetti sauce of your choice (typically a 24 oz jar)

1 package of pepperoni, turkey or regular

1 lb ground sausage (pork or turkey, Italian or breakfast)

1 bell pepper, diced

1 small onion, diced (red is best of this recipe)

Toppings: shredded mozzarella, crushed red pepper, fresh basil

Directions:

  • Set instant pot to “Saute” and cook the ground sausage. Hit cancel when done.
  • Add chicken broth, mushrooms, and quinoa to Instant Pot, making sure to add quinoa last. Stir.
  • Set to “Manual” and pressure cook on high for 2 minutes. Instant Pot will take about 10 minutes to pre-heat and then the 2 minutes to cook. When complete, press cancel and do a quick release of the steam, waiting until the pressure gauge drops back down and the lid is safe to open.
  • Remove lid and add pizza sauce, green pepper, and red onion, and then stir. Let sit 5 minutes to soften veggies. Remove lid and add in pepperoni, then stir.
  • Divide mixture among bowls and customize each with toppings! 

How kids children help:

    • Pouring in the sauce
    • Watching the timer
  • Do not let children move the steamer valve!

 

Instant Pot American Goulash

Number of Ingredients: 18

Time from start to table: 20 minutes

Source: https://thegirlonbloor.com

Ingredients:

  • 2 tsp Olive Oil 
  • 1 lb Ground Beef or Ground Turkey 
  • 1 Onion, diced
  • 1/2 cup Celery, diced
  • 2 Bay Leaves
  • 1/4 tsp Red Pepper Flake
  • 2 tsp Italian Seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp Pepper
  • 1 tsp Salt (or more to taste)
  • 5 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce 
  • 1 Green Bell Pepper, chopped
  • 4 cups Chicken Broth, low sodium
  • 2 cups Elbow Macaroni 
  • 1 Tbsp Paprika
  • 14 oz can Diced Tomatoes (I like the Italian or Olive Oil with Garlic)
  • 2- 8 oz cans Tomato Sauce 
  • 1 bag of frozen corn

Directions:

  • Turn on the pressure cooker’s “Sauté” setting. When the pot is hot add oil (if using ground turkey) or add the ground beef. 
  • Also add onion, celery, bay leaves. Cook until onion starts to turn translucent.
  • Add the red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, pepper, salt, garlic, Worcestershire, and green bell pepper. Stir, and sauté for a couple of minutes.
  • Pour in the broth and stir. 
  • Then add the macaroni and paprika. Stir.
  • Add the diced tomatoes and the tomato sauce, but do not stir.
  • Put the lid on the pot and lock it in place. Set the steam release knob to the Sealing position.
  • Cancel the Sauté setting and press the Pressure Cook/Manual button., Then use the + or – button (or dial) to choose 4 minutes.
  • When the cooking cycle is finished, do a controlled Quick Release of the steam/pressure.
  • When the pin in the lid drops down, open the lid facing away from you. Then give the goulash a stir. 
  • Add the corn and serve

How children can help: 

    • Dump cans into the instant pot
    • Stir
    • Watch the timer
  • Do not let children move the steamer valve!

 

Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff

Number of ingredients: 14

Time from start to table: 15 minutes

Source: https://www.jocooks.com

Ingredients:

2 tbsp butter unsalted

1 tbsp olive oil

1 lb ground beef extra lean

1 large onion chopped

5 cloves garlic minced

8 oz mushrooms sliced

1/2 tsp salt or to taste

1/2 tsp pepper or to taste

1 tsp paprika (not smoked)

1/4 cup white wine dry or chicken broth

3 tbsp all-purpose flour

8 oz egg noodles dry

2 1/2 cups beef broth or stock, low sodium

3/4 cup sour cream

Directions: 

  • Turn your Instant Pot to the saute setting. 
  • Add the butter and olive oil to the instant pot and cook and until the butter has melted.
  • Add the ground beef and break it up. Cook the beef for about 3 minutes or until the  meat is no longer pink.
  • Add the onion, garlic, and mushrooms and stir. Season with salt and pepper to your taste.
  • Add the paprika, white wine/chicken broth and flour and stir well. 
  • Add the egg noodles to the Instant Pot, and cover them with the beef broth. Close the lid (follow the manufacturer’s guide for instructions on how to close the instant pot lid). Cook on high pressure (Manual setting) for 3 minutes.
  • Quick release. Carefully unlock and remove the lid from the instant pot.
  • Stir in the sour cream and taste for seasoning. Adjust with salt or pepper if necessary.

How children can help:

  • Adding ingredients to the pot
  • Stirring
  • Adding sour cream and stirring

 

Instant Pot Supreme Pizza Pasta

Number of ingredients: 14

Time from start to table: 15 minutes

Source: www.idonthavetimeforthat.com

Ingredients: 

1 lb Italian ground sausage

8 oz mushrooms, chopped (optional)

2 tbsps garlic minced

salt and pepper to taste

1 medium green pepper, diced

1 medium onion, diced

16 oz box rotini pasta

5 oz bag  pepperoni

1 can black olives sliced

1 jar green olives

28 to 30 oz pizza or spaghetti sauce

2 cups water

2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded  (we use half this)

Directions: 

  •  In a larger bowl, combine ground sausage and mushrooms until mixed well.
  • Turn Instant Pot onto “saute” and wait until it is hot. Add meat mixture, salt, pepper, and garlic. Cook meat until no longer pink then drain off excess fat and water. 
  • Turn Instant Pot off.
  • Add green pepper, onion, olives (reserving a few for the top), pepperoni (reserving a little for the top), dry pasta, pizza sauce, and water. Do not stir.
  • Close Instant Pot and set to sealing position. Select manual high pressure and set timer for 5 minutes. 
  • When time is up, perform a quick release.
  • Give everything a good stir then top with mozzarella, remaining black olives, and pepperoni. 
  • Close lid and allow to sit for 5 minutes to melt the cheese.

*Doubling this recipe will fill your instant pot to the rim!*

How children can help:

  • Can add ingredients to the pot
  • Can watch the timer
  • Can add cheese

 

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