5 Kid-Friendly Recipes that You Can Make Using a Slow Cooker

Feeding kids can be testy as most tend to be picky with their meals. And if it’s not yummy, they will toss it around on the plate and say they are full or ask for something else. And we all know that with kids, you need to have food ready at all times as they burn it pretty fast.

Make tasty, yummy food using a slow cooker; the best part is you can make food to last several days. And you don’t have to wait around for it to be cooked as it will take several hours during which you can perform other chores.

5 Kid-Friendly Recipes to Make Using a Slow Cooker

Cooking delicious food is one way to get into your kid’s good graces. A slow cooker will have you making yummy meals and desserts that will have even the pickiest kid licking their fingers. Try your luck with the following recipes!

1. Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese is the most popular meal among kids as it’s yummy, creamy, and easy to prepare.

Ingredients

• Macaroni
• Broth
• Milk
• Sour cream
• Shredded cheese
• Butter
• Dry mustard
• Garlic salt

Instructions

Step 1: Cook pasta according to the package instructions.

Step 2: Pour the cooked pasta into a slow cooker.

Step 3: Then pour in sour cream, cheddar cheese broth, milk, garlic salt, and dry mustard. Stir the mixture until you see everything has mixed well.

Step 4: Add shredded cheese and mix.

Step 5: Add 6 tbsp of butter. Cover and cook at low temperature for about 3 hours.

Step 6: Serve warm.

2. Lasagna

Lasagna is the best kid-friendly recipe you can bake in a slow cooker. And the best part is you can preserve it in the fridge to serve you for several days. To get the best results, you must buy traditional dry lasagna noodles.

Ingredients

• Part-skim ricotta
• Grated parmesan
• Mozzarella
• Ground beef
• Garlic cloves
• Dried oregano
• Marinara sauce
• Dry lasagna noodles
• Salt
• Baby spinach

Instructions

Step 1: In a bowl, mix the ricotta, parmesan, salt, mozzarella, and spinach.

Step 2: In the slow cooker, pour in the garlic, beef, oregano, and salt. Make sure to set aside half of the meat.

Step 3: Add half of the marinara sauce to the mixture in the cooker and mix.

Step 4: Add your noodles; make sure to break them as needed.

Step 5: Add ⅓ of the marinara sauce and ⅓ ricotta.

Step 6: Then add the remaining meat and top it with noodles.

Step 7: Add the remaining sauce and ricotta.

Step 8: Then sprinkle mozzarella, cover, and cook at low temperature for 4 hours. But if you are in a hurry, you can cook it on high heat for 2 hours.

3. Bacon and Cheeseburger Soup

Kids love bacon, and for sure, they will love this recipe. Soups are the most comforting and filling meals during winter, so make this yummy bacon and cheeseburger, and your whole family will love it.

The meal is loaded with healthy ingredients, such as

• Potatoes
• Onions
• Minced meat
• Green onion
• Cheese
• Bacon
• Carrots
• And some spices

Instructions

Step 1: Grease the inside of your pot. Add the vegetables, then pour in your chicken broth.

Step 2: Cover and cook for about one or two hours on low heat.

Step 3: Then cook ground beef and bacon separately and when they are cooked, add them into the soup along with all the other ingredients. Cover and let it cook for one hour or 30 minutes on low heat.

Step 4: Then serve while it’s warm; you can opt to add chopped green onion.

4. Chicken and Rice Casserole

This is another easy-to-prepare kid-friendly recipe that you can make on a slow-cooker. The rice comes out well-cooked, gooey from the cheese, and not to mention flavorful from the healthy vegetable and tantalizing aroma due to the spices.

The best part about this meal is its healthy fiber and protein content, making it ideal for your whole family. Besides, you can cook a lot so that you can freeze some to tide you over a busy week.

Ingredients

• Long-grain rice
• Carrots
• Mustard
• Chicken
• Garlic powder
• Onion
• Salt
• Dried thyme
• Peas
• Greek yogurt
• Cheddar cheese
• Parsley
• Chicken broth

Instructions

Step 1: Coat your pot with butter, add rice, carrots, mustard, and onion and stir to mix.

Step 2: Then add your chicken on top and sprinkle garlic powder, salt, and thyme.

Step 3: Then pour your chicken broth—cover, and cook for about two and a half hours on low heat.

Step 4: Check to ensure the chicken is cooked and remove it and place it onto a plate.

Step 5: Stir the remaining mixture, then cover and leave it on low heat for one hour. Check to ensure the rice is cooked.

Step 6: Uncover and pour in the peas and Greek yogurt. Then cut the chicken into small pieces, pour it in with ¼ cup of cheddar cheese, and mix.

Step 7: Add the remaining cheese on top. Cover and cook for a few minutes to ensure all the cheese is melted.

Step 8: Serve while it’s warm; you can sprinkle parsley.

Step 9: Do not attempt to cook on high heat, as your rice might turn out to be wet and mushy. You can refrigerate the leftovers for up to three days or freeze them for a maximum of 3 months.

5. Meatballs

The best thing about meatballs is using them with other meals such as pasta, burgers, and rice. You can buy ready-made meatballs or make them.

Ingredients

• Milk
• Eggs
• Minced meat
• Parsley leaves
• Coriander
• Garlic
• Cheese
• Salt
• Italian seasoning
• Tomatoes
• Olive oil
• Onion
• Sauce
• Fresh basil
• Sugar
• Bread crumbs

Instruction

Step 1: Preheat your oven.

Step 2: Mix bread crumbs, parsley, parmesan, garlic, egg, and milk.

Step 3: After 10 minutes, add minced meat and sliced sausage. Mix till they are well combined.

Step 4: Take a small amount and roll it into a ball. This is a fun activity that you can do with your kids.

Step 5: Take a baking sheet and place your rolled meatballs. Then place them in the oven until they turn brown. This will take about 15 minutes.

Step 6: Add olive oil, seasoning, onion, and garlic to a small bowl. Please place them in a microwave for about 4 minutes.

Step 7: Take this microwaved combo and put them in a slow cooker; add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and 2 tbsp of sugar. Then pour in your meatballs slowly and stir gently—cover and cook on low heat for 8 hours. Then add basil.

Final Thoughts

Feeding your kids is the most fulfilling thing you will ever do. Better yet, let them help during the preparations as they will feel proud of themselves.

Cooking kid-friendly meals using a slow cooker is ideal as it ensures you can spend time doing other chores while waiting for the food to be ready. And of course, it can help you produce delicious, flavorful, and healthy meals for your kids.