If you’ve ever wanted your family to eat more veggies, now is the perfect time! Local Farmers Markets are opening for the summer months with a bounty of fresh, seasonal produce just waiting for the picking. Vegetables are not only versatile and very healthy, but they are also a budget-friendly option when you have multiple mouths to feed.
Of course, not every kid (or grown-up) is a fan of vegetables. Thankfully, there are delicious ways to incorporate more vegetables into your diet with familiar flavors that even the pickiest of eaters will love. Take veggies from side dish to starring role with these vegetarian twists on family-favorite recipes.
Kid-Approved Vegetarian Chili
Chili is a great dinnertime solution for busy families, because it can be made ahead in the slow cooker. It’s also fun to make, with a variety of toppings from the fridge and kitchen pantry cabinet that kids can add themselves. Simply set up a chili topping station on your kitchen island, with lime wedges, sour cream, salsa, shredded cheese, tortilla chips, and homemade guacamole, and let kids customize their chili bowl.
We love this wholesome, hearty Vegetarian Chili recipe from Healthy Little Foodies with diced tomatoes, red bell peppers, zucchini, onions and celery. Lentils, kidney beans and chickpeas serve as the protein in this dish, and smoked paprika and cumin from your spice drawer add flavor without the heat. Tip: Serve Vegetarian Chili over rice or potatoes, baked or mashed, for a kid-approved meal. For the full recipe, click here.
Vegetable Lasagna
Give this classic dinnertime staple a healthier twist with a veggie-packed, DIY marinara sauce. Lasagna is easy to make ahead and pop in the oven after a long day. This tasty Vegetable Lasagna recipe from Super Healthy Kids calls for no-bake, whole grain noodles and four different cheeses: mozzarella, Parmesan, cottage cheese and cream cheese!
It also lets you pick and choose which veggies to include in your dish, like mushrooms, carrots, spinach, onions, eggplant, bell peppers, zucchini and more. Try any combo you like for a custom veggie lasagna that will please the whole family. Tip: If your kids like their sauce smooth, simply puree with a food processor or immersion blender. Click here for the recipe.
Burgers
If you’ve never had a homemade vegetarian burger, you’re missing out! Unlike some meatless burgers, this easy Veggie Burger recipe from Minimalist Baker is grillable, making it the perfect way to eat healthy this summer! Every kid loves burgers, so why not give it a try?
All you need are a few basic ingredients from your kitchen pantry cabinet, including onions, black beans, brown rice, walnuts, bread crumbs, sugar, and a variety of seasonings from your spice rack. Tip: Once grilled, top your burger with sweet barbecue sauce, or your kids’ favorite condiment. This Veggie Burger may just become a new family-favorite! For the recipe, click here.
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