Ideas for large meals with multiple options?

[Anonymous]

Semi-healthy for teen boys! Example:

Tacos and quesadillas served with chips fresh salsa and guacamole.

Basically, multi-item meals that all go together. I’m struggling to keep them full while also having items that go together. Like burgers with salad, homemade fries, and… what else? Baked beans?

Help me feed my boys!

[Anonymous]

Add black beans and rice to the taco meal.

Add the baked beans or corn to the burger meal.

Add cornbread or biscuits/rolls and butter to every meat/rice/veggie meal.

Add carrot sticks and ranch dressing to almost any dinner.

[Anonymous]

do you have the patience to make seafood / fish paella?

what about a chill and baked potatoes?

Pasta with steamed broccoli and Parmesan cheese

home made burgers in brioche buns

[Anonymous]

I’m come from a family of 5 kids. When we were teens, my mom always put out some kind of bread and butter on the table to round out the meal. So corn muffins, brown bread, naan, biscuits, Parker house rolls, garlic bread, something like that depending on the meal.

[Anonymous]

I always have a salad bar prepped -- greens and toppings in separate Tupperware, so everything keeps for several days. Add cheese and nuts for heft, plus a hearty dressing.

[Anonymous]

Baked ziti, garlic bread, salad and meatballs.

[Anonymous]

Can’t they just eat more of the same items instead of needing extra sides?

For burgers (or pulled pork/chicken) sandwiches: salad, corn, cole slaw, pasta salad, baked beans, cucumber salad, Mac and cheese

With pasta: salad, bread or garlic bread, roasted veggies, broccoli salad, sautéed green beans,

Chili: serve over pasta, rice, or garlic bread. Increase the beans in it.

Add roasted sweet potatoes with any meat/starch/veg dish.

[Anonymous]

I meant serve the chili over corn bread! Though I guess garlic bread with chili could work too.

[Anonymous]

Sausage and peppers
Pasta with marinara
Minestrone (soup is a great way to stretch a meal and add veggies and cheap bean protein)
Bread (or garlic bread if you are trying to up calories)
Salad

[Anonymous]

Make your own burritos..put out wraps and many different fillings. Also make your own pasta bowl with a couple sauces meat balls, veggies, cheese

[Anonymous]

Baked sweet potato fries are an easy side to add to pretty much any meal. Or do loaded baked potatoes (with cheese, beans, salsa, etc) with any protein.
Various pasta + garlic bread + veggies
Hearty soups or stews with a big platter of grilled cheese or popovers and roasted Brussels
Customizable ramen or udon bowls with various toppings (leftover chicken or pork, hard boiled eggs, edamame, veggies)
Put out hummus and veggies for pre-dinner snacking