Mariel here. Pre-baby, I’d spend almost every deadline-free minute planning my next meal. I’d make Cassoulets and White Chicken Chili. Beer-Braised Brisket and Butcher’s Bolognese. I made dessert. From scratch. Regularly. On weekdays. While “easy” has always been a guiding light in my recipe repertoire, “quick and easy” is now a requisite. The end of the day is usually the wildest in my house – my son inherited my blood-sugar-induced moodiness so when the dinner bell chimes, it’s panic at the disco. He’s strapped to his high chair screaming “momomomomom” while actual tears of desperation streak down his chubby cheeks. No matter how big his post-nap snack is, his sweaty, hair-tearing dinner drill doesn’t change. Thankfully he eats with the gusto of a depraved savage so at least there’s a sense of wordless gratitude once the mess hall closes. Making meals with lots of leftovers that are quickly reheatable is a must, so I’ve spent quite a bit of time compiling recipes offering just that. Below is a week’s worth of no-brainer, kid-friendly dinners. If you have any tried and true suggestions, add yours below! 5-Minute Pesto Parmesan Meatballs Butternut Squash Pasta Easy Garlic Chicken Grown-up Sloppy Joes Skillet Baked Ziti Oatmeal-Blackberry Pancakes with Greek Yogurt Pineapple Black Bean Enchiladas
About Mariel Goodson
The daughter in this mother-daughter duo, Mariel is the co-founder of Brass Hill Design and a former magazine writer who has contributed to Martha Stewart Living, Better Homes & Gardens, SELF, Redbook and Good Housekeeping, among many others.