Today, it’s very common for both parents to work, leaving less time for cooking dinner. However, it is possible to whip up a fast, nutritious, and delicious meal the entire family will love.

Veggie Pasta

It’s a fact, many children do not like vegetables, but they usually like spaghetti sauce. Saute shredded carrots in olive oil, add chopped baby spinach, ground meat, or sausage, and cook until it’s done. Add your spaghetti sauce. More than likely, the kids will now eat their vegetables.

To make this dish even more nutritious, try lentil pasta in place of ordinary pasta. Lentil pasta is not only lower in carbohydrates and higher in protein, but it’s also gluten-free. Best of all, you won’t notice a difference in taste or texture.

Crispy Tacos

Everyone loves tacos, and chicken and fish are very healthy proteins. This is especially true of oily fish like salmon and tuna. Simply cut up your meat into chunks, saute, and place into the taco shells. Top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and cilantro. In a pinch, you could even use canned tuna, gently sauteed with chopped garlic. Fresh, green salsa is especially good with fish, but use any type of salsa you like. Serve with a side of refried beans to complete the meal.

Coney Dogs

Everyone loves a fair, and hot dogs are the all-American fair food. Moreover, Coney Island-style hot dogs served with a side of fries are sure to be a hit with the kids. Some companies, like National Coney Island, know that if you want to sneak in vegetables, cook spinach into some chili and make chili Coney dogs. You can also try making fries with sweet potatoes since they’re healthier. You can make Coney dogs yourself, pick them up on the way home, or have them delivered.

Healthy Meal Kits

Meal kit subscriptions have become very popular over recent years. These kits are delivered to your door and contain everything you need to make a fast, nutritious meal. Best of all, you can get meal kits for specialty diets, such as gluten-free, vegan, and keto. Kid-friendly healthy meal kits are also available. While it’s convenient and guarantees a delicious variety, meal kit subscriptions can be expensive.

Finding creative ways to get the children to eat their vegetables can be key to a healthy meal. The best strategy for healthy family meals is to plan ahead and use fresh, wholesome ingredients. While processed foods and frozen meals are convenient, they are not always healthy.