We were so silly and naive before we had kids. Back then, we thought that the most difficult question our kids would ask us would be, "Where do babies come from?" Ha! Now we know that the hardest question our kids ask is the one question we'll hear day after day: "What's for dinner?" It's a question that can stop us dead in our tracks and leave us without a clue in the world as to how to answer. Seriously, why don't children come with a list of quick and easy recipes to feed them for at least 18 years? Parenting would be so much easier.
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What's even worse is when, for whatever reason, we are home with our kids all day, and that "What's for dinner?" question gets multiplied by three. When everyone is at home all day, we start getting asked not only what's for dinner but what's for breakfast and lunch as well. It can feel like we just finished figuring out one meal and, before the kitchen is even clean, we're already getting asked what we're serving for the next meal. Seriously, it's not easy coming up with different meals that everyone in the family will like and no one will complain about, every single day. And nobody's got time to be making separate meals for every family member—short-order cooks get paid to do this, not us moms.
We know the struggle because we live the struggle, which is why we're always on the lookout for quick and easy family-friendly recipes. Here, we're sharing some recipes we've come across on Instagram, including great options for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The best part is that they aren't difficult to make, and before you know it, you won't even need a recipe to make them. Enjoy, and send us the leftovers!
Homemade bacon mac and cheese can be made in under an hour.
No, we're not talking about crumbling some bacon on boxed macaroni and cheese. You can make a nutrient-dense homemade, from-scratch spinach/bacon/pumpkin mac and cheese for your crew in under an hour. Get the full recipe here.
You can't go wrong with spaghetti.
Everybody loves spaghetti, and it's made even simpler when you can toss all the ingredients in the Crock Pot and call it a dinner. Yes, we said spaghetti in the Crock Pot. It actually works, and because the pasta gets to soak up all the sauce instead of just cooking water during the process, it's extra flavorful. Get the full recipe here.
Yogurt is the perfect quick breakfast.
Yogurt makes for a super-easy, protein-packed quick breakfast, but what happens when you run out of the fruity stuff and that's all you can get your kids to eat? Try this quick and easy method for making your own fruit-on-the-bottom yogurt to keep your kids happy at breakfast time.
Chilaquiles work for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Not only are chilaquiles like these incredibly easy to make, they also work for any time of the day. If you want them for breakfast, use eggs as your protein substitute. You can also use leftover rotisserie chicken to create a whole new meal that doesn't feel like you're having leftovers. Get the full recipe here.
Make beef barbacoa in less than an hour.
Make mouthwatering beef barbacoa in less than an hour with the help of an Instant Pot. Once the barbacoa is done, it's time for tacos. Everyone in the family can build their own taco just how they want. Get the full recipe here.
Three-ingredient ham quesadillas are beyond easy to make.
If your kids like ham-and-cheese sandwiches, these ham quesadillas might be something you want to add to the rotation. Of course, you can make them without the ham and just have cheese quesadillas, or you can substitute anything else you like for the ham. Add salsa on the side and call it a meal. Get the full recipe here.
Try this Mexican food rice bowl with yummy steak.
If you’re craving steak, this is a great option. Start with this recipe and add different garnishes and toppings to customize it for your family. You can also swap out the steak for whatever protein you like. Get the full recipe here.
Shrimp tacos for the win!
Shrimp cook up super quick. You could have these shrimp tacos done in about 15 minutes. You could serve the shrimp with a side of rice and veggies, but shrimp tacos are a great option. Get the full recipe here.
Make chicharrones en salsa verde for lunch or dinner.
The salsa that you add to these chicharrones can be as mild or spicy as you like. We know some family members might not be able to tolerate the same kind of heat, but if you go with a mild green salsa, those who want it hotter can always add some more heat to their individual serving. Get the full recipe here.
Check out this cheesy sausage-and-egg casserole topped with avocado.
Casseroles are a dream because you can toss everything into a dish and bake it, and the results are comforting and filling. Oh, and most of them include cheese. If you are a fan of cheese, cheesy goodness in every bit is always welcome. Get the full recipe here.
These apple banana muffins are great for breakfast, and they have no added sugar.
How often do you come across a sweet baking recipe that doesn’t require sugar? Not often. Not only are these muffins great for breakfast, they are also perfect with a cup of coffee later in the day or as an in-between-meals snack. Get the full recipe here.
It takes only six ingredients to make this taco soup.
Oh, and there is no chopping involved. What?! It’s almost like the soup makes itself, but you’ll get all the credit for its yumminess. And we all know soup is better the next day, so the leftovers will be a hit, too. Get the full recipe here.
An Instant Pot pot roast that will be an instant hit.
It’s the perfect meal for meat and potato lovers. You might end up adding this to your regular dinner rotation, because it’s comfort food at its best: simple, good, and heartwarming. Get the full recipe here.
This is what happens when a taco and casserole come together.
They make a taco casserole baby, and no one is mad about it. Not even you if you’re the one putting it together, because it takes only six ingredients to make. Pretty soon you’ll be able to get the kids to make it on their own. Get the full recipe here.
Pretend you’re in Hawaii when you eat this Spam bowl.
Making this Hawaiian-style Spam bowl will give you a taste of the islands without having to actually be on any of the Hawaiian Islands. It’s tasty, and you can make the eggs any way your kids like them. This meal isn’t just for breakfast, either. Have it for lunch or dinner, too. Get the full recipe here.
Think of molletes as a Mexican open-faced sandwich.
Also, trust that you are going to want to shove these molletes into your mouth as soon as they are done. The rest of your family will want to do the same. They are perfect for breakfast or lunch or dinner or whenever. Get the full recipe here.
There’s lentil soup, and then there’s this next-level jalapeño bacon lentil soup.
Lentil soup is an often-overlooked soup, and we have no idea why, because it is so freakin’ good. Especially when you add bacon and jalapeño. Serve it with a side of toasted bread and enjoy every last drop. Get the full recipe here.
Albondiga soup you can make with ground chicken, turkey, or beef.
Most are familiar with beef albondiga soup, but who says the “meat” balls in albondigas have to be made out of beef? You can make them out of chicken or turkey just as easily, and the results are their own kind of wonderful. Get the full recipe here.
This ground beef stew with jalapeño is a one-pot wonder.
Don’t you just love meals that you can make in one pot? They make cooking so much easier. This ground beef stew with jalapeño is one of those one-pot meals that is going to make your life easier. Serve it as is, or if you don’t mind using another pot, you can serve it with rice. Get the full recipe here.
Pull out your cast-iron pan and make this broccoli-rice casserole.
Make this with leftover rice. It’s a great way to use leftover rice so that it doesn’t go to waste. Actually, any rice casserole is a great way to use up any leftover rice, but start with this one. Get the full recipe here.
Chicken ropa vieja never gets old.
This dish is a classic that will never, ever get old. You could make it once a week. This particular recipe is made in an Instant Pot. If you don’t have one, now might be the perfect time to invest in one. Get the full recipe here.
How about some Cuban arroz con pollo?
It’s a one-pot dinner that is sure to please everyone in the family. And honestly, anyone who doesn’t like it is simply too hard to please, and we’re so sorry you have to deal with that kind of nonsense. It’s just not right. Get the full recipe here.
Make tostadas with beans, beef, and avocado.
The truth is that you don’t really need a recipe to make tostadas. Basically, all you have to do is top a crispy corn tortilla with beans and anything else you like. But just in case you need some inspiration, we’re sharing this version with you. Get the full recipe here.
