I'd just try to get a meal on the table within 30 minutes. I like to put out cut up veggies or fruit if my kids are super hungry while I make something else. Then they are done with that part for the meal.

My other suggestion is to meal prep so you just have to heat something up when you get home. Something like taco filling already cooked, so you can just heat it up and put out some toppings and you are done.

Anonymous wrote:I reaLly don’t know if what you want exists OP. Even crock pot meals require you to make rice, pasta, a side, something to go with it. Sheet pan meals are just better. No one wants to eat crock pot mush every single night. Kids need to get used to dinner not being available immediately upon home entry. That is just life. Have a piece of cheese while you wait for dinner.

Not really..many have potatoes already cooking or just add some fresh bread.

pork carnitas & chicken tacos - add fresh toppings

These are good. I cook enough rice in the rice cooker to last a few meals and can heat up easily.

https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a23119838/slow-cooker-chicken-drumsticks/

This is a favorite of ours: Beef stew
Stew beef
can of tomato soup
1/2 can of red wine
peas
potatoes cut up
any other veggies, I use green peppers, onions, and carrots

Also beef roast and 8 minutes to cook egg noodles.

Chicken breasts with jar of salsa, bag of steamed veggies

Hope this helps!

Anonymous wrote:I reaLly don’t know if what you want exists OP. Even crock pot meals require you to make rice, pasta, a side, something to go with it. Sheet pan meals are just better. No one wants to eat crock pot mush every single night. Kids need to get used to dinner not being available immediately upon home entry. That is just life. Have a piece of cheese while you wait for dinner.

Piece of cheese while mom is dealing with ppd and hungry kids screaming and whining and trying to feed people doesn’t help. Your post doesn’t help. Fortunately some others are at least offering some options to try.

My kids like beef roasts, corned beef and pork roasts in the crock pot. One loves chili, one doesn't eat it. We steam broccoli, green beans, corn, etc for vegetables in the microwave.

It sounds like what you really need is more prep work so you aren't chopping every night, plus make enough for leftovers so you have dinner ready to just re-heat half the nights. That way you're only cooking 3 nights a week.

We grill chicken, steak or pork chops once a week and make enough for leftovers, tacos, salads, etc. Takes the pressure off cooking every night.

We do white chicken chili a lot. The kids put crossed tortilla chips and shredded cheese on it and it fills them up.

My kids like:
Chili and other stews and hearty soups
Pot roast (you can cook the veggies in the same pot)
Carnitas/pulled pork
Lamb shoulder
Brazilian or Cuban-style beans and rice
You can also make a pho or ramen broth in the slow cooker, and then the noodles or meat cook very quickly.

I have a rice cooker on a timer, so the rice can also be set in the morning. Veggies are steamed or roasted, which takes little time, or even eaten raw.

I would do pulled pork. When you come home, serve as sandwiches with ore made cole slaw and a salad. Chili with beans.

chili and pot roast can both accomplish this.

I reaLly don’t know if what you want exists OP. Even crock pot meals require you to make rice, pasta, a side, something to go with it. Sheet pan meals are just better. No one wants to eat crock pot mush every single night. Kids need to get used to dinner not being available immediately upon home entry. That is just life. Have a piece of cheese while you wait for dinner.

I know all kids like different things, but this one has been wildly successful in our house. Chicken taco soup. It’s easy to modify based on what you have in the pantry.

https://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/post-trick-or-treating-soup/

OP here again- sheet pan meals that take 30 mins to cook aren’t working for me because the kids get home hungry. I’m hoping for something that I can come in the door and put on a plate right away

Hi mamas, I’m having a hard time getting healthy meals made after work for my family which includes 2 kids. Can you share with me some crockpot ideas with meats and veggies that your kids like? I know I can search this forum. I’m tired and will do that too, I’m hoping for a fresh thread with some crockpot ideas that your kids eat. Thank you