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Have a look at these 10 Quick, Easy & Cheap Toddler Meals Ideas
These are my go-to dinners when we have had a long day.
I’ve not done any planning. Charlotte is getting stroppy and I need to feed her. Fast!
I try and keep my freezer and cupboards stocked with a few essentials which mean these toddler meal ideas are ready to go. I’m not averse to using processed food here and there. I know its not ideal. But when you’re busy, there are a few lifesavers. I also try and batch cook or cook a little more than I need when it comes to soup or pinwheels so these are to hand toddler meals ideas when I’m in a rush too.
So grab your favourite bib, your favourite plate, and let’s get cooking!
Soup & Toast Soldiers
I love soup as a toddler meal on a freezing day. I find it pretty easy to make. Just boil up any veg (I usually do carrots, leeks and potatoes with some red split lentils). Add some low salt stock (I love the kallo stock cubes) and cook until super soft. Blend with a stick blender and you have a lovely nutritious meal. Grate a little cheese if you fancy and buttery toast. You can store portions of my Warming Winter Veg Soup in the freezer too to make it even easier.
Tilda Rice, Sweet Corn & White Fish
I keep a stash of the baby Tilda rice pouches as I find them really handy if you really haven’t planned anything for dinner. They take just 40 seconds in the microwave. I also like keeping a pack of white fish in the freezer which is lovely in the steamer with a bit of lemon, cooked with a few veggies in about 20 minutes.
Jacket Potato, Beans & Cheese
An absolute staple is beans, but I’ve swapped to the low sugar and salt variety since having Charlotte.
Pinwheels, Cucumber Battons and Tomato Slices
Pinwheels are a weaning favourite and a great toddler meal idea as there are so many recipes online. I love how quick they are to make on the day but also the fact that you can freeze in advance so you always have some ready to go. If you want to see my pinwheel ideas along with others, my What Mummy Makes Top 5 Recipes would be a great read.
Omelette with Avocado Fingers
This was one of Charlotte’s favourites for a while when we realised she could now eat eggs, keeping the fillings pretty simple and we almost always have eggs in. A great meal in less than 10 minutes.
Cous-Cous & Salmon
Pop the steamer or oven on and cook the salmon, whilst letting the couscous cook in boiling water. Add flavours such as paprika and some lemon juice to the couscous and a little cream cheese on top of the salmon at the end. We bought our steamer for less than £30 from Amazon and it’s been used regularly for the past 6 months. So simple!
Tortilla Pizza
Another weaning favourite and great for whatever is in the fridge. Use a little tomato puree on a flat tortilla wrap, sprinkle on oregano or some Italian seasoning mix, followed by a little grated cheese and toppings of your choice. Place briefly in the oven until crispy and cut into pizza triangles to serve.
Med Veg Pasta
We always have a bag of frozen med veg in the freezer which cooks in about 20 minutes. Once cooked, blend together with a hand stick blender (usually under £15) to make a smooth ‘pesto like’ sauce. Stir through cooked pasta to get lots of hidden veggies into your meal.
Sweet Potato Mash, Chicken & Peas
I started cooking this as a ‘fake Nando’s’ for my husband and I, but it does just as well for Charlotte, leaving off the piri piri sauce!!! Cook the sweet potatoes whilst grilling a chicken breast. Mash the sweet potatoes and serve with peas that have been crushed slightly with a little bit of mint.
Baby Stir Fry
I am always worried about veg being too crunchy for someone without teeth, so used to steam the veg first, then stir through with well cooked noodles, a little ginger and some Chinese five spice and lime juice. It’s not the crunchy treat that most think of, but Charlotte seems to always enjoy.
I hope this gave a couple of ideas for busy evenings!
What’s your ‘ go to’ quick dinner? xx
