Keep them in the holiday spirit with these kid-approved recipes.
Thanksgiving is a time when we all gather around the table and share a delicious meal with loved ones. Sometimes, like at my house, the kiddos are not huge fans of traditional yams, cranberry sauce, or brussel sprouts. We thought about how to get our littles to enjoy sitting at the table, and so we’re sharing some great sides that are kid friendly and still delicious. After all, who wants to spend additional time in the kitchen making a la carte sides when you can make something the entire table can enjoy!
Dressed Up Macaroni and Cheese
For this mac and cheese, you will use your crockpot. Therefore, set it and forget it – and that is a BIG win on Turkey day. There is nothing like cheesy, melty goodness to go with your meal, and this is a crowd favorite – with yellow and white sharp cheddar (I always throw a little Gouda in mine, too – shhhh).
Maple Roasted Butternut Squash
I have a child that makes no sense, because she loves French fries and hates mashed potatoes. This is a major point of contention in my house, because the rest of us love spuds. So, over the years, we have slowly started shifting from mashed potatoes to a new starch. The sweet flavor and garlic in this dish are absolutely delicious, and it is also a great substitute for yams.
Cranberry Crescent Rolls
Still looking for a way to get the cranberries on the table? Try these little bites out for a change. This is a snap to make, and you can even put the kiddos in charge of this dish. You can make these with leftover cranberry sauce for brunch the next day as well. Throw a sausage link inside the roll. Oh. My. Goodness!
Bacon Wrapped Brussel Sprouts
I love brussel sprouts. Sauteed, baked, in a casserole – just give me the precious! However, my sidekick says they smell like feet when they cook. Touché. So, why not wrap them in bacon? Getting vegetables into kids is a chore in itself, but I found that if you wrap things around the veggie beasty – they are like little raptors and will eat it up.
Fruit Kabob Turkey
Yes, you heard me. This is SO much fun and the kids can make this with their siblings, cousins, friends, or even grandparents while you are being master of the kitchen. This can double as a centerpiece or as a new twist on a side. It is also a great way to get fruit and raw veggies into their meal – and because it looks like fun and they made it, it is of course their idea to eat it so it will be smooth sailing. Reverse psychology ladies.
So now, LUYXYMOM®, go forth and be the mistress of your domain. You are sure to please both the adults and kiddos with these fun sides. Get the kids in the kitchen, start a new tradition, and have a fabulous holiday season!