Caring for a family while juggling a career isn’t easy. Even moms who work from home must squeeze in family meal prep time, among a million other responsibilities. What cooking hacks for working moms make the job easier? What are some trusty and quick 15-minute dinners you can make for your kids? These easy tips will make mealtime healthier and less stressful for busy parents.
3 Cooking Hacks for Working Moms
These cooking hacks for working moms speed up the preparation of nearly any recipe.
1. Cook Extra
If the words “meal prepping” make you roll your eyes and say, “Oh, yeah, right, I have time for one more chore in my week,” you’re making things way too hard on yourself. There’s no need to schedule additional kitchen time when you simply double your recipes each time you cook.
Enjoy one serving and freeze the other in a compostable freezer bag. You can easily toss it in the slow cooker on another busy night. If you do this each time you cook, your freezer will fill in no time.
2. Gear Up
A slow cooker and air fryer are must-haves for busy moms. The latter can even make reheated french fries tasty. Stock up on kitchen gadgets that make your work easier. A blender is a must for making smoothies, and stay-fresh storage bins keep your fruits and vegetables crisp until it’s time to eat them.
3. Make Nutrition Convenient
Having the right containers on hand matters for this final cooking hack for working moms. Make it easier for your kids to snack nutritiously by cutting up fruits and vegetables into slices perfect for tiny hands. Do so when you’re already in the kitchen watching for water to boil or waiting for those cookies to turn the perfect shade of brown to save time. You can even dole nuts and seeds into cute individual containers if it prompts your kids to choose a healthier snack.
7 Quick 15-Minute Dinners You Can Make For Your Kids
Here are nine quick dinners for kids you can make in 15 minutes or less. Many of them also freeze or reheat well, making your next mealtime easier when your little ones beg for leftovers.
1. Tuna Noodle Casserole With Veggies
Here’s a super easy meal that can offer oodles of the good stuff your kids need for healthy growth. Choose whole-grain pasta to increase your fiber intake and nurture your child’s gut. Fiber is crucial in helping them develop their gut microbiota, which influences multiple health factors, including mood and behavior. Tuna is high in omega-3 fatty acids, super for your child’s brain development.
Simply boil a box of pasta while gathering your other ingredients:
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Heavy cream
- One can of peas and carrots
- One can of tuna
Drain the noodles and add a bit of heavy cream to the bottom of the pot before putting them back in. Add your other ingredients and stir, adjusting the amount of cheese and cream to the desired consistency.
2. Spinach, Cheddar and Bacon Egg Casserole
Breakfast for dinner is always a fun treat, and there’s no need for waffles drowning in sugar and syrup before bedtime. Instead, whip up this protein-packed combination that comes together in no time — your oven does the rest.
Beat your eggs, salt and pepper before folding in the other ingredients and placing them in a baking dish. Eggs, spinach and bacon all contain a hefty dose of protein, with the spinach contributing vitamins and fiber to make the meal complete.
3. Chicago Deep Dish Pizza
Nearly all kids adore pizza, and making it DIY-style allows them to get in the kitchen with you. Cooking teaches a practical life skill while reinforcing math and giving time for togetherness. Children aged 6 to 8 can use small hand tools like a cheese grater, so let them go to town shredding the toppings while you prepare the dough.
You can top this recipe with any extras you like. Although this recipe calls for sausage, feel free to add veggies, like mushrooms, peppers and onions.
4. Slow-Cooker Spaghetti
You can assemble this meal in less than 15 minutes since the slow cooker handles most of the work. Simply brown your ground beef or turkey with any seasonings you like, such as garlic and onion.
Then, pour a jar of your favorite organic spaghetti sauce into the bottom of the slow cooker. Break the noodles and add them as the next layer. Finally, pour the meat on top and set the dial — this dish takes roughly 2 ½ hours on high heat or six on low.
5. Veggie Fried Rice
This quick dinner for kids is perfect for when you have leftover rice. It takes a little longer if you must heat the rice fresh, but you can find instant brown rice that microwaves in a jiffy. Using frozen, precut veggies also cuts your prep time.
Pour some sesame oil into a large frying pan or wok and saute green onions and garlic until soft. Add veggies until warmed through. Push the veggies to the side and crack two eggs on the clear side to scramble, then mix them with the vegetables. Add the cooked rice, soy sauce and a little chili garlic sauce if you like the heat, and serve.
6. Salad in a Jar
Salad in a jar is perfect if you have kids aged three to five. They’re old enough to pour dry ingredients and may love layering them in the mason jar.
Start with a protein-packed topping like quinoa or chickpeas. Add greens and other veggies your child enjoys, layer by layer. Shredded cheese and dried fruit are welcome additions, as are pieces of leftover chicken. Shake and top with dressing when serving.
7. Taco Tuesday Bar
This quick dinner for kids is a Tuesday favorite — and a chance to reinforce what “alliteration” means. You can brown the beef and chop the onions and tomatoes while your little ones assemble other toppings, like black beans, shredded lettuce and grated cheese. Arrange the display buffet-style, adding various salsas and sour cream and take turns lining your favorite tortilla shells with the good stuff in less than 15 minutes.
15-Minute Dinners for Kids
Keeping your family healthy and fed while juggling a career presents a challenge. However, it’s one you can overcome with the right cooking hacks for working moms. Dig into these quick 15-minute dinners you can prepare and get your little ones cooking with you. You’ll feel good about how you nourish your loved ones while teaching them a skill they can someday pass on.
