I need to make a meal for a family

[LuckyMommaToo]

who I don't know that well. They said "child friendly" is best. Another friend said that their kids like to eat plain pasta with butter and cheese. Help! I'm completely at a loss. What do I cook for a family like this? I'm thinking some kind of casserole, maybe?

thanks,

-e

[HollyBearsMom]

How about a pasta bake or a lasagna? Those are usually kid friendly.  You could add a loaf of crusty bread and some salad fixings.

Another option is a big pot of meatballs in sauce. Add a box of spaghetti and again some salad stuff.  The parents could have spaghetti and meatballs and the kids could have plain pasta.

[mommy212]

you can try making homemade mac and cheese, maybe add in some broccoli, cauliflower or spinach. If you are not vegetarian maybe serve with some good-quality ham, deviled eggs, veggie sides. Or try a creamy soup of some sort, those usually go over well.

[onlyzombiecat]

My dd would rather have plain pasta or rice as an option than all of her food mixed into a casserole.

You could do build your own pizza, burgers, tacos,  sloppy joes, or pasta with optional sauce and other toppings.

 I would just make foods your kids like but maybe with sauces on the side and not worry to much about it. If the kids don't like everything on the table remember that it is just one meal out of their lives.

[nstewart]

I like the build your own pizza idea.  Tacos are good too.  Another option you could do is a "grilled cheese" party.  Plain 'ol chedder on wheat bread for the kiddos and some exotic choices for the grown-ups (think brie with figs on a flat bread, or tomato, fresh mozza and basil on a foccacia, etc.)  Along with some fresh veggies or tomato soup or salad.  Also, you could do sweet potato oven "fries" as a side dish idea for whatever you decide to make.  They are soooo yummy and so easy.

[sagewinna]

I like to take burrito stuff so they can built their own. Pintos or black beans, shredded lettuce, salsa, avocado, tortillas, tortilla chips, etc. I usually take cookie dough with baking directions too, so they can have warm from the oven cookies.

[LuckyMommaToo]

Thanks for all the ideas. The person right before me is bringing an Italian dish, so I didn't want to do that. I decided to go with a mac-n-cheese casserole, an asparagus and strawberry salad (I'll pack the dressing on the side so maybe the kids will eat some) and a dessert. I like the idea of cookie dough.

I did have to let go of the idea of "the perfect meal" and just get it done! I appreciate the responses.

-e