I need a kid-friendly, grandma the chef-friendly Christmas dinner menu?

Question

The kids & grandchildren don't eat fish, nor are they willing to taste anything new; I've made turkey, ham & fried chicken in the past, but the side dishes end up being more work than the entree. Any suggestions would be really appreciated!

Answer 1

Try a homemade lasagna. Make one half using meat, ricotta cheese, noodles and a sauce and the oher half could be vegetables instead of meat. I done that with egg plant, spinach etc.
Takes bout 30 minutes to assemble. An italian style salad goes well with it. If you want to keep it more healthy, use wheat pasta.
A side of green beans or green bean casserole works.
Good Luck

Answer 2

Here is a couple of dinner ideas that may appeal to kids and are fairly cheap and healthy. The old standard beanie weenie can be fixed up. Buy hot dogs only when on sale, and in bulk when possible. Heat a very large can of Campbell's pork and beans and to it add two tablespoons of brown sugar or regular sugar, A little BBQ sauce, some finely diced onion, garlic powder and pepper. Add sliced hot dogs and cook and stir until hot. Serve with garlic bread or what ever bread You have, or with a pasta like macaroni for example. Kids love pizza but tomato bread is cheaper and tastes good. use sturdy white bread slices or Italian bread slices, or french roll halves, what ever is on sale and cheap, Spread a little tomato sauce on the bread then top with Parmesan cheese, oregano, very thin sliced or diced tomatoes, and shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake at 400 degrees until bread is toasted and cheese is melted. This is a recipe made for a budget and appropriately called Slum Goo, but tastes better than it sounds. Cook a pound of ground beef and drain excess fat. Cook a pound of macaroni, drain and add a little olive oil, or vegetable oil like Canola. To the beef add a very small amount of olive oil if desired. Then a diced onion. cook and stir until onion is tender. Add a 16 oz. can of crushed tomatoes or whole tomatoes chopped up. Some salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook and stir until hot, then add to macaroni. Heat and stir for a short time until macaroni is hot.

Answer 3

Not traditional, but how about a lasagna. Try this with whole green beans cooked and then sauteed with some minced onions, a little minced garlic and some bacon bits. Add some rolls on the side and you've got a nice meal.

Answer 4

straight up homemade macaroni and cheese is heaven on earth. Baked with a crispy top...even the adults will be going ooohhhhh. Believe me, I have the world's pickiest eaters. We have mac n cheese and rolls (ready to bake so that they come out of the oven warm without too much work...pair with buttery peas or braised green beans and a standard meat (how about roasted chicken ...easy).

Answer 5

Pizza, all kids eat pizza
Covers all food groups. Depending on how many quests you are having you could make different types of pizzas, then everyone could pick the type they like.
Meat
no meat
vegetarian
You could even have a dessert pizza
you could even shape the pizza into holiday shapes.

Answer 6

Roast a fresh ham.....it is nothing like the ham
they are used to.....
sweet potatoes,
mashed rutabega/potato mix (great stuff)
baked acorn squash,
fried cinnamon apples......
They'll love it.

Answer 7

How about having them all bring something to contribute? That way, they'll be sure to have something they like. And it will be less work for you.

Answer 8

chicken nuggets, french fries, finger foods

Answer 9

Great idea, Meeza! Totally agree with her.