Are you caught in the whirlwind of evening mealtime chaos? Is navigating the maze between work, chores, and satisfying hungry tummies leaving you a tiny bit frazzled?
We completely understand.
The good news is that, at We Might Be Tiny, we've crafted a solution set to revolutionise your dinner dynamics.
We're delighted to share every busy mum's kitchen must-have – our 'Easy Dinner Ideas for Kids' recipe collection. Here, you'll find a delightful array of dinner inspirations meticulously crafted to captivate even the most discerning young palates.
Prepare to embark on a journey of simple, nutritious, and utterly delicious meals that will turn dinnertime into a cherished and joyful family ritual!
So now the question is, "What's for dinner tonight?"
Child nutrition is crucial, yet crafting culinary wonders with your full plate can be daunting. Worry not, because we've got just the ticket! Enter our Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Pasta recipe, a true game-changer. Bursting with taste, brimming with nutrients, and requiring minimal effort, it's no surprise that this dish is one of our favourite go-to easy dinner recipes.
You can whip up a dish the whole family will adore using everyday ingredients, a trusty slow cooker, and a dash of patience.
Slow Cooker Magic
Slow cookers are every busy mum's best friend. It does all the heavy lifting while you get on with life. It also brings out an explosion of flavour that takes more work to achieve with quicker cooking methods.
With our Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Pasta recipe, you can say goodbye to tasteless quick fixes and hello to succulent chicken, al dente pasta, and a sauce that sings with garlic, basil, oregano, garlic powder, and more.
Add your ingredients to the slow cooker, set the timer, and go! You'll gain precious time to focus on work, chores, homework help, or even some hard-earned downtime.
A slow cooker is also an excellent tool for preparing meals in advance. With our Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Pasta, you'll have a delicious meal ready for when your family is.
Bring Out the WMBT Snackies!
Before anything else, we must discuss our WMBT Snackies, a versatile addition to your kitchen equipment collection. Made with flexibility and practicality, they're perfect for serving our Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Pasta.
Not only will this silicone snack box save you precious time, but it's also a clever way to make food more appealing to your little ones. Our eco-friendly Snackies offer a colourful, playful, perfectly portioned food presentation, enticing picky eaters to clean their plates.
From convenience and nutrition to creativity and family bonding, you're not just serving food but fostering a love for wholesome eating, one effortless and delicious meal at a time.
Now that we've laid the foundation, it's time to start cooking!
Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Pasta Recipe
Makes 1 Bear Snackie | Cooking time 3 hours
Ingredients
- 900 g chicken breast, cubed
- equivalent to 2-3 breasts
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, diced
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp basil
- ¼ tsp oregano
- ¼ tsp rosemary
- ¼ tsp parsley
- 400 g (1 can) diced tomatoes
- 650 ml chicken stock
- 350 g penne pasta
- 60 g (2 cups) spinach, roughly chopped
- 80 g (1 cup) mozzarella cheese
- 30 g ( ½ cup) parmesan cheese, grated
- fresh basil to garnish
Method
- Place chicken, garlic, onion, herbs, diced tomatoes, and 150 ml chicken stock into a slow cooker and cook on high for 2 ½ hours.
- Add pasta and remaining stock and cook again for 30-45 minutes, depending on how firm you like the pasta. If cooking for 45 minutes, stir at the 30-minute point if possible.
- Finally, add spinach and cheeses and stir well before placing the lid on for a few minutes to allow the spinach to wilt and the cheeses to melt.
- Serve in your favourite We Might Be Tiny Snackie. Sprinkle with additional parmesan and fresh basil, then enjoy.
Flexibility with Ingredients
Our Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Pasta recipe is excellent as is but can easily be adjusted to suit your family's unique preferences or dietary requirements - a quality that makes it one of our all-time favourites over at the WMBT HQ.
Do you have a vegetarian in the family? Just switch out the chicken for a medley of vibrant veggies – bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms would work beautifully in this dish.
If spinach isn't hitting the right note, don't fret. Easily replace it with broccoli or peas. The options are endless, providing flexibility while keeping meals 'nutrilicious'.
Spice Up the Presentation
We all know kids eat with their eyes. So why not make our Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Pasta even more fun? Get creative in how you serve it! Consider sprinkling additional basil leaves and parmesan on top of the served dish.
You can also involve the kids in assembling their plates. Let them choose a unique pasta shape or add a side of their preferred veggies. Serve them up in uber-cute Snackies for an extra wow factor.
Remember, when children participate in meal preparation, they're more likely to enjoy their food. Make each meal memorable and filled with love to encourage a healthy perspective toward nutrition and maybe even inspire a future chef!
Mastering the Slow Cooker: Tips for Busy Parents
These one-pot wonders are a lifesaver for days packed with to-dos and never-ending tasks. Here are some tips to maximise this mighty appliance and ensure your children enjoy nutritious meals:
Plan Ahead: Use a few quiet minutes to come up with a week's slow cooker meals. A plan relieves the stress of last-minute decisions and ensures you have all the necessary ingredients.
Prep the Night Before: Assemble ingredients in the pot the night before and store it in the fridge overnight. Simply place it back in the cooker and turn it on in the morning.
Start with the Right Recipe: Choose recipes designed for slow cookers, like our Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Pasta.
Don't Overcrowd: Overcrowding can lead to unevenly cooked food. Only fill the pot up to two-thirds to ensure the heat circulates efficiently and promotes even cooking.
Patience is a Virtue: Avoid repeatedly lifting the lid which causes the slow cooker to lose heat, prolonging the process.
Bring Fun and Ease into the Kitchen
Meal preparation doesn't have to be exhausting or nerve-wracking. A slow cooker can keep your family eating well-rounded meals, even on the busiest days.
Using our Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Pasta recipe and We Might Be Tiny Snackies, mealtime can be an enjoyable and stress-free experience, creating unforgettable moments around the dinner table.
Now, that's a win-win!
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