simple meals could bring on that happy wiggle till I whipped up this sloppy joe pasta bake. It is one of those kid-friendly dinner recipes that wins hearts without much fuss. The bright colors of the sauce and melted cheese always get cheers at the dinner table.
- Ground beef about a pound or more
- Small pasta like elbow or shell cups
- Onion one medium diced
- Garlic cloves two or three minced
- Tomato sauce one jar or can roughly two cups
- Brown sugar a couple tablespoons helps caramelization
- Worcestershire sauce a splash for depth of flavor
- Cheddar cheese a cup or more grated for topping
kid-friendly dinner recipes. And they work wonders when you want a grab and go option.
quesadillas. Spread the filling on tortillas, top with cheddar and fold. Give it a quick sear on a pan till it gets crisp. Slice into triangles for perfect handheld bites. That is a smart way to stretch your meal into a new one.
Q What is the best pasta shape to use
Shells or elbows work great. They trap sauce in the curves for more flavor in every bite.
Q Can I use ground turkey instead of beef
Yes you can swap if you want a leaner option. Just watch the cooking time because turkey can dry faster. You may need a splash more sauce.
Q How do I store leftovers
Place cooled bake in a sealed container. Keep in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the oven so the sauce does not separate.
Q Can I make this ahead and freeze it
You sure can. Freeze before you bake. Bake it straight from frozen at a lower temperature until warmed throughout then turn up the heat to brown the cheese.
Enjoy making this easy cheesey sloppy joe pasta bake. It may just become your new go to for dinner time smiles.
Kid-friendly Dinner Recipes
Equipment
- 1 skillet or frying pan
- 1 spatula
- 1 cutting board
- 1 large mixing bowl
- 1 grater for cheese
- 1 cooking spray or oil
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 medium bell pepper, diced
- 1 teaspoon taco seasoning
- 8 large flour tortillas
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking)
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, shredded cheddar cheese, black beans, diced bell pepper, and taco seasoning. Mix until well combined.
- Heat a skillet or frying pan over medium heat and add a little olive oil.
- Place one tortilla in the skillet and spread a quarter of the chicken mixture on one half of the tortilla. Fold the other half over the filling.
- Cook for about 3-4 minutes on one side until golden brown. Carefully flip the quesadilla using a spatula and cook for another 3-4 minutes on the other side until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is golden brown.
- Remove the quesadilla from the skillet and let it sit for a minute. Then cut it into wedges.
- Repeat steps 3-5 for the remaining tortillas and filling.
- Serve warm with salsa and sour cream if desired.
- Feel free to customize the filling by adding other vegetables like corn or mushrooms.
- You can substitute other types of cheese based on your kids' preferences.
- These quesadillas can be made ahead and reheated for a quick meal.
