What are some speedy meals I can cook for my toddler?

Help! What are some speedy meals I can cook for my toddler?

Food magazine editor Sophie Gray offers some simple recipe suggestions for whipping up fast, healthy meals for preschoolers on busy weeknights

“My preschoolers are hungry when we get home at night, but I struggle to produce a healthy dinner quickly. Can you suggest simple meals for toddlers?”

Making a basic, one pot macaroni cheese is very quick. For 2 serves, simmer 1 cup of macaroni very gently in 500ml of milk for around 8 minutes, or until tender. Stir in 1 cup of grated cheese. While the pasta is cooking, steam some broccoli to stir in at the end.

You can also make a simple pasta sauce from a can of Italian seasoned tomatoes — just add frozen peas, edamame or broccoli and top with grated cheese. Serve over gnocchi, which is a pantry staple. Eggs are also fast and filling; perhaps eggs with soldiers or a ham omelette?

Slice some raw veggie sticks to have alongside. You could also try pita bread pizza: arrange pitas on a baking sheet, top with tomato paste diluted with water to a sauce consistency, add grated carrot, courgette and ham; top with cheese. Bake until cheese melts.

This first appeared in Food magazine.