Dinner is served… by the kids!

Getting children involved in the kitchen is a great way to teach life skills, encourage healthy eating habits and most importantly have fun. These easy dinner recipes are perfect for little hands, with just the right amount of supervision. From saucy meatballs to crispy sausage rolls and a colourful salad, here’s a full dinner line-up your children will love to cook and eat.

Meatballs and Spaghetti

Ingredients

500g minced beef 

250g spaghetti

1 egg

½ cup breadcrumbs

1 tsp salt

1 tsp mixed herbs (optional)

1 garlic clove (minced)

1 small onion (grated)

2 cups homemade tomato sauce

Method

• In a large bowl, mix the mince, egg, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, salt, and herbs.

• Let the children roll the mixture into small balls.

• Heat a pan with a little oil and fry the meatballs until browned on all sides.

• Add the pasta sauce and let everything simmer for 10–15 minutes.

• Boil spaghetti according to the packet instructions, then drain.

• Serve the meatballs on top of the spaghetti with a sprinkle of cheese (optional).

Kids can help: rolling meatballs, measuring ingredients, stirring sauce.

 Easy Sausage Rolls (with ready-made pastry)

Ingredients

1 roll puff pastry (thawed)

6–8 sausages or viennas

1 egg (beaten, for brushing)

Method

• Preheat the oven to 200°C or according to your pastry’s instructions.

• Roll out the puff pastry and cut it into rectangles.

• place each  in the middle of each rectangle.

• Fold the pastry over the sausage and seal the edge by pressing with a fork.

• Brush the tops with beaten egg for a golden finish.

• Bake for 20–25 minutes or until puffed and golden.

Kids can help: unrolling pastry, placing sausage meat, sealing and brushing with egg.

Chicken & Pasta Salad Cups

Ingredients:

1 cup cooked pasta 

1 cup cooked chicken (shredded or chopped)

½ cup tomatoes (halved)

½ cucumber (diced)

½ cup grated cheese (optional)

2 tablespoons mayonnaise 

Salt and pepper to taste

Lettuce leaves or small bowls/cups for serving

Method

• In a big bowl, mix the cooked pasta, chicken, tomatoes, cucumber and cheese.

• Add mayonnaise and stir until everything is well coated.

• Season lightly with salt and pepper.

• Scoop the salad into lettuce cups or small serving bowls.

Tip for parents: Always supervise young children when using heat, knives, or graters. Let them do the fun, safe parts mixing, rolling, assembling and tasting.