Picture this: you’re in your kitchen, armed with an array of colorful fruits, veggies, and wholesome ingredients. The air is filled with the delightful sounds of giggles and curious questions as your little one eagerly joins you in the culinary adventure. Together, you concoct delicious meals that are not only nutritious but also toddler-approved!
Don’t worry – we can help you make this dream come true.
Let’s go through the top toddler meal prep ideas you might want to try out.
1. Pasta Salad
When you’re meal prepping for kids of any age, pasta salad should be high up on your list.
You’ll need cooked pasta, fresh herbs, grated cheese, vinagrette or olive oil, chopped vegetables, and cooked turkey or chicken (or a meat substitute).
Cook the pasta based on your package instructions until al dente. Rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta completely.
In a large bowl, combine your fully-cooked pasta, chopped vegetables, and your diced protein of choice. Drizzle olive oil or a light vinaigrette dressing over the pasta and vegetables. Toss gently to coat everything evenly. Add cheese, seasoning, and herbs.
There are also variations you can try out to mix things up. Incorporate ingredients like Kalamata olives, feta cheese, red onions, and a lemon-herb dressing (made with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and dried herbs like oregano and thyme) for a Mediterranean twist.
2. Mini Egg Muffins
Mini egg muffins are a fantastic toddler-friendly meal prep option because they are super-simple to make, customizable, and can be packed with nutritious ingredients.
That customization makes it easier to add some diversity to your child’s diet.
Shop for cooking oil, eggs, milk, grated cheese, a cooked and diced protein of your choice, and finely-chopped vegetables.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a mini muffin tin with cooking spray. In a mixing bowl, crack the eggs and whisk them together. If using milk, add it to the eggs and whisk until combined. Stir in the finely chopped vegetables, cooked protein, grated cheese, salt, and pepper. Mix until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
Pour the egg mixture into the greased mini muffin cups, filling each cup about three-quarters. Bake your mixture in the oven until the egg muffins are set and a little bit golden on top.
Remove them from the oven and let the mini egg muffins cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes before carefully removing them with a knife or spoon. Allow the muffins to cool off completely before storing or serving.
3. Veggie Sticks and Dip
When you’re looking for simple meal ideas, it doesn’t get easier than veggies and dip.
For a basic version, you’ll need plain greek yogurt, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried dill, and your vegetables of choice.
Mix together the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried dill, salt, and pepper. Mix well, and adjust your seasoning to taste.
Use a variety of colorful vegetables such as red bell peppers, orange carrots, yellow squash or bell peppers, green cucumbers, and purple cabbage or eggplant. Arrange them in a rainbow pattern for a visually appealing snack.
You could serve the veggie sticks with a trio of dips such as hummus, ranch dressing, and guacamole for variety. Let your toddler mix and match dips with different vegetables.
Mix store-bought or homemade hummus with a drizzle of a milder hot sauce or a little bit of cayenne pepper for a spicy kick. Serve with cucumber and bell pepper sticks to balance the heat.
4. Toddler Meatballs
Semi-finger foods like meatballs are helpful when you’re looking for toddler meal options. You’ll need your choice of lean protein, breadcrumbs, egg, parmesan, oregano, basil, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese.
Mix together your ground protein, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, beaten egg, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper.
Shape your new mixture into small meatballs, and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle or brush the meatballs lightly with olive oil to help them brown in the oven.
There are ways you can make your meatballs more exciting, too. Grate or finely chop vegetables like carrots, zucchini, or spinach, and mix them into the meatball mixture before shaping. This is a great way to sneak in extra nutrients for picky eaters.
Add a cube of mozzarella or cheddar cheese in the center of each meatball before shaping. When baked, the cheese will melt and create a gooey center that kids will love.
5. Rice and Black Beans
There are lots of ways you can turn rice and black beans into tasty toddler meals.
For example, you can create a simple casserole. In a separate pan, sauté diced onions, bell peppers, and garlic until softened. Add cooled black beans and heat thoroughly. Mix the cooked rice and black bean mixture together in a baking dish. Top with cheese, bake, and let it cool. Then, you can chop it into toddler-sized portions.
To add more vegetables, you can craft stuffed peppers. Cut bell peppers in half and remove everything inside of the shell.
Cook a mixture of rice, black beans, diced tomatoes, corn, and spices. Stuff the black beans with the mix.
Place the stuffed peppers in your dish, add a little water to the bottom of the dish, cover them up with foil, and bake until the peppers are tender.
6. Quesadillas
When you’re looking at simple lunch ideas for your toddler, quesadillas should be high up there. For a simple cheese option, spread shredded cheese evenly on a tortilla.
Place another tortilla on top to form a quesadilla. Heat your skillet up and cook your quesadilla until the cheese is nicely melted and the tortillas turn golden and crispy. Then, all you have to do is let it cool down and cut it into wedges. You can make a batch of these and put them in the fridge for later.
For a veggie variety, sauté diced bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms until tender. Spread a layer of cheese on a tortilla, add the sautéed vegetables, and top with another tortilla. Proceed the same way you would with the basic version.
Or, you might consider breakfast quesadillas. Scramble eggs with diced cooked ham or bacon. Spread a layer of cheese on a tortilla, add the scrambled eggs and meat, and top with another tortilla. You can serve this version with ketchup.
7. One-Pot Shephard’s Pie
For this easy recipe, you’ll need ground beef or turkey, frozen peas, chopped onion, diced carrots, vegetable or beef broth, tomato paste, mashed potato, shredded cheese, and Worcestershire sauce.
Cook your chosen protein until browned. Drain excess fat if needed. Add the chopped onion and diced carrots to the skillet and cook until softened.
Stir in the frozen peas, beef or vegetable broth, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce. You can also add pepper and salt or other seasonings if you prefer.
Simmer the mixture for about 10-15 minutes until all of your vegetables are tender and the flavors have melded together.
Spread the cooked meat and vegetable mixture evenly in the skillet or dish. Then, you can layer the mashed potatoes over the meat and vegetable mixture, spreading them into an even layer.
Sprinkle some shredded cheese on top of the mashed potato layer for added flavor. Bake the Shepherd’s pie until the mashed potatoes are lightly golden and the filling is bubbly.
8. Chicken Nuggets
Chicken nuggets are always a crowd-pleaser when it comes to children. Make homemade chicken nuggets by cutting boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces.
Dip each of your chicken pieces in beaten egg, then coat them with breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes seasoned with salt, pepper, and a pinch of paprika. Bake the new nuggets in your oven until cooked through and crispy.
Prepare a dipping sauce such as ketchup, honey mustard, BBQ sauce, or a yogurt-based ranch dressing for dipping.
You can make a chicken nugget salad to make it a healthier situation. Create a bed of your favorite mixed greens on a plate. Top the greens with sliced chicken nuggets, diced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, shredded carrots, and crumbled cheese.
Drizzle with a light vinaigrette dressing or a yogurt-based dressing.
9. Frozen Fruit Pops
Frozen fruit pops are a super refreshing and healthy treat for toddlers, especially during warm weather.
All you’ll need is a variety of fresh fruits, Greek yogurt or coconut milk, and honey or maple syrup.
Wash and chop all of your fruits into small pieces. Blend the fruits with Greek yogurt or coconut milk until smooth. Add honey or maple syrup for some extra healthy sweetness.
Pour the fruit mixture into plastic popsicle molds or small paper cups. Add popsicle sticks into the molds or cups. Then, put them in the freezer until they’re properly frozen.
10. Yogurt Parfait
Another breakfast idea is yogurt parfaits. All you need is Greek yogurt, Granola or crushed whole grain cereal, honey or maple syrup, and fresh fruit.
In small containers or jars, layer Greek yogurt, fresh fruits, and granola or crushed cereal. Drizzle a little honey or maple syrup between the layers if your toddler prefers sweeter parfaits. Seal the containers or jars and store them in the refrigerator until ready to eat.
And of course, there are lots of ways you can mix things up. Alternate layers of Greek yogurt with banana slices and a dollop of peanut butter. Top with a sprinkle of granola or crushed peanuts for added texture.
Blend Greek yogurt with cocoa powder or chocolate protein powder for a chocolate-flavored yogurt. Layer the chocolate yogurt with banana slices and a sprinkle of granola or crushed whole grain cereal.
11. Lentil Veggie Soup
Lentil veggie soup is a nutritious and hearty meal that toddlers can enjoy. Shop for dried lentils, chopped onion, peeled and cut carrots, diced celery and tomato, chopped kale or spinach, low-sodium vegetable broth or chicken broth, thyme, and oregano.
In a big pot, heat a tiny bit of olive oil over medium heat. Add your chopped-up onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Sauté until the vegetables are softened.
Stir in your garlic, dried thyme, and dried oregano. Cook for another minute until fragrant. Add the dried lentils and diced tomatoes to the pot. Pour in the vegetable or chicken broth.
Bring the lentil soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 20-25 minutes or until the lentils are tender. Add the chopped leafy vegetable to the soup and cook for 5 more minutes until wilted.
Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers, potatoes, or squash to the soup for extra flavor and nutrients.
Make a large batch of lentil veggie soup and portion it into smaller containers or freezer-safe bags. Label and date the containers, then store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for longer storage.
12. Fish Sticks
All kids like fish sticks, and they’re not as hard as you might think to make at home rather than buying them frozen in a bag.
All you’ll need is white fish filets, whole wheat breadcrumbs or crushed whole grain cereal, eggs, flour, olive oil, and your dipping sauce of choice.
Cut the fish fillets into strips or “fish stick” shapes. Set up a dredging station with separate bowls for flour, beaten eggs, and whole wheat breadcrumbs or crushed cereal.
Lightly coat the fish strips in flour first, then dip them into the beaten eggs, and finally coat them with breadcrumbs or crushed cereal.
Place the coated fish sticks on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle a little olive oil over the fish sticks or spray them with cooking spray for added crispiness. Then, it’s time to bake them. Serve the baked fish sticks with lemon wedges for squeezing over the fish and a side of tartar sauce or yogurt-based dip for dipping.
Try These Toddler Meal Prep Ideas Today
There are so many options for toddler meal prep ideas that you and your child are sure to love. Experiment with a few of these recipes, and see what works for you.
Are you looking for more meal help? Look at Craveble. We give you access to dozens of delicious dishes delivered straight to your home.
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