Have you always dreamed of having family cooking time in your home? But it was just impossible with work, school, and everything else? Now’s your chance! With so much family togetherness at home these days, meal planning, prep, cooking, and of course, eating can be done all together as a team.
You can choose recipes online, from your cookbook collection, or right in this post! We’ve got 7 scrumptious and simple choices—from sandwiches to salads to wraps, plus dessert ideas and tips for getting the kids excited to pitch in!
7 Recipe Ideas for Family Cooking Time
Before we get to the recipes, here are those tips we mentioned.
How to Make Cooking Cool for the Kids
- Have the youngsters search for recipes they’d love to try (online surfing will make it even cooler!).
- Allow them to create a meal plan, sticking in the chosen recipes where they’d like. Display this on the fridge door or kitchen bulletin board.
- Organize a "pantry shopping" game for them to check if the needed ingredients are there.
- If some are missing, have them jot down a grocery list.
- For each cooking session, assign each family member—especially the kids—a task to carry out.
- Then, come meal time, take pics for the "junior chef(s)" and their cooking creations to send to Grandma.
Okay, now for those recipes we chose for you to try!
Sandwiches are an easy choice that kids will be thrilled to make themselves. Start with sure faves, like these Grilled Cheese Sloppy Joes (1) from Adventures of Mel and Coney Island Hot Dogs (3) from Taste and Tell. You could even have a sandwich bar that makes food prep like play!
What about having a "food tour" to different countries? One day could take you to Italy with Pepperoni Tortilla Pizzas (2) from Campbell’s. Another day to Japan with Tuna Sushi Rolls (5) from Create Kids Club. And another to Mexico with Chicken Burritos (7) from Betty Crocker.
And for more hearty dishes, consider this filling yet healthy Supreme Pasta Salad (6) from McCormick or this Million Dollar Meatball Casserole (4) from Two Kids and a Coupon.
Dessert Ideas
Mustn’t forget desserts! Here are doable and delish ideas you can create and enjoy together. And they happen to be from our own Bellenza posts, featuring dessert recipes from sweet to fruity to frozen!
- Fresh Fruit Kebabs
- Baked Goodies with Less Refined Sugar
- Ice Cream Sandwiches
- Fruit-based Frozen Summer Treats
- Simple Sheet Cakes
- Mini Pies and Parfaits
- Desserts Made with Fresh Fruits
Let’s get cooking, families!
