We love snacky meals in our house. It all started when Mr2 was about 2 years old. I realized I often made him a plate of whatever Mr. 1 was having for lunch but in a deconstructed way. That’s where the snacky plate was created! He went through a phase, as so many kids do, where he didn’t want much variety and if the plate had some sort of cheese either cubed or shredded he’d eat it. Sliced apples, a couple of crackers, some raisins, cheese cubes and it’s lunch!
Our current schedule has us needing to either grab dinner at a restaurant or pack a dinner for after Trail Life on Thursday nights. Not only is it expensive no matter where we would go out it’s often not even fun. With Mr. 4 crawling all over me in a booth and the other three behaving in a way that needs to be corrected it’s just stressful and takes the fun and relaxation out of going out to eat. It’s much easier to either throw a casserole in the oven at church or pack sandwiches. When we eat at church the little boys often are too wound up to actually eat so I find they need a solid lunch in the tummies.
The other day the boys asked for mac and cheese for lunch and I was out of the boxed stuff (Annies is our go to) So I came up with Snacky Mac. I boiled pasta, made a quick cheese sauce, and steamed some veggies. The boys could have it however they wanted.
Mr. 1 and 4- pasta, broccoli and cheese all tossed together.
Mr. 2 and 3- Pasta with olive oil and pecorino cheese and broccoli on the side.
It’s quick, cheap, healthy and filling, just what my goal is in the kitchen all wrapped in one meal! Mix it up with different pastas (farfalle, mini penne, shells, etc.) and veggies (broccoli, peas, cauliflower, green beans, etc.)This is a great way to use up a small amount of cheese, veggies and pasta you have on hand. My kids love it when I mix and match the ends of a couple of boxes of pasta, say wagon wheels, penne and rotini, go for it!
Let me know if you end up trying Snacky mac and what variations your family enjoyed!
I do this with a lemon butter caper sauce sometimes, too: pasta & lemon butter caper sauce with a side of fish. My girls love it.
That sounds delicious!