Back to school is almost here, and going back to our routine involves cooking more, getting more organized, and brainstorming about meals that are easy to make, nutritious, and kids will like.
These 14 meals are vegan, packed with veggies, and fantastic for a weekday evening to please your whole family.
Our kids are five and two, and even if they both enjoy most food, they can be pretty picky. At the end of the day, they are just kids! So it's our job to prepare meals that have all the goodies they need and that we can also enjoy as adults.
At home, we prioritize having lunch and dinner as a family, so making a meal that everyone will like is the first step to a successful evening. These 14 recipes are our top choices when it comes to preparing a meal during a busy weekday when time is limited and that the kids will (normally) enjoy with us.
1. One-pan Mexican Quinoa
This one-pot Mexican Quinoa is one of my favorite recipes for Back-to-School season. When kids go back to their normal schedule, we do, too, leaving very little time for cooking during the busy weekdays. This quinoa meal is a one-pan dish that can be made with a few simple ingredients that you mostly already have in your pantry, such as corn, quinoa, beans, or garlic. It takes only 30 minutes to make, kids normally like it, and is a nutritious way to end up a busy day.
2. Red Lentil Curry
Hearty curries are always a safe option for a quick and filling meal that everyone will eat. You can serve this Red Lentil Curry with rice, quinoa, couscous, or some naan bread or papadoms on the side. Made with 6 ingredients and some spices, you can prepare this easy curry in less than 35 minutes, and keep the leftovers for the next day.
3. Sweet Potato and Tomato Pasta
We made this sweet potato pasta dish one day because all we had left in the pantry was a sweet potato and some canned tomatoes. It was a filling and nutritious meal that our kids loved, and we did, too. Only a few ingredients are needed to make this pasta dish. Perfect for a weeknight meal after a busy school and work day.
4. Creamy Spinach Pasta
Six ingredients are all you need to make this spinach pasta. Creamy, quick, and super tasty, this pasta meal is the best way to get those greens. This recipe will please your whole family, including picky eaters!
5. Vegan Chicken Noodle Soup
Looking for something hearty and cozy? This noodle soup with plant-based chicken is a great way to finish a cold day. It's so convenient to have some veggie stock in the freezer, ready to prepare a quick noodle soup on a hectic weeknight, a cold day, or when one of us isn't feeling well.
6. Easy Tofu Fajitas
A classic dinner at home, Tofu Fajitas. Our kids love preparing their own fajitas, and they end up eating way more than they would on any other day. We make our fajitas with peppers, carrots, mushrooms, and tofu, all seasoned with basic spices and served with avocado mash and other toppings of your choice.
7. Vegan Carbonara
Our Vegan Carbonara is easier to prepare than the classic Italian Carbonara. This sauce is the perfect recipe if you want a creamy pasta dish that you can make in 15 minutes. All you need are five ingredients and your favorite pasta shape.
8. Potato and Leek Soup
This fall and winter, Leek Soup is a great recipe when you want to prepare something comforting, nutritious, and tasty for your family. We make this soup with cashew cream to make it extra creamy and packed with protein. You can prepare this classic British soup in 30 minutes!
9. Black Bean Quesadillas
Just like fajitas, Quesadillas are a safe option to please our kids after a busy day. Super easy and quick to prepare, these Vegan Quesadillas are filled with black beans, making them hearty and filling. Enjoy with your favorite vegan cheese!
10. Trenette Al Pesto
If you are like us and have some frozen pesto all year round, it will take you just a few minutes to prepare this Trennette Pasta al Pesto. You can also buy some pesto or make your own in less than 5 minutes. Our kids love this pasta dish and we make it quite often on busy weeknights.
11. Arabic Lentil Soup
Looking for an easy and hearty soup to make after a busy weekday? You'll only need a few ingredients and a pot to make this one-pot meal for which your family will thank you. Served with some flatbread or pita bread it makes for the perfect nutritious family meal to finish the day.
12. Vegetable Tagine
Whether you own a tagine or not, you can still make this one-pot meal packed with veggies and flavors. Enjoy a hearty tagine after a busy day that takes just a few minutes to prepare. Once all the veggies are cut and placed in the tagine or pot, you stick it in the oven and your meal will be ready in an hour.
13. Vegan Pasta Bolognese
Do you want to make a bolognese that is also plant-based? You can prepare your kid's favorite meal with tofu and make a mouthwatering and nutritious bolognese sauce to pair with their favorite pasta shape. Let me tell you, we adults love this dish just as much as they do!
14. Roasted Tomato and Red Pepper Soup
Our Tomato and Red Pepper Soup is such a great recipe for those busy days when you need something healthy and satisfying to warm up your body. To make this delicious roasted tomato and pepper soup, you won't even need a saucepan. All you need is a baking tray, an oven, and a high-speed or immersion blender.
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