Do your children shy away from eating spinach? The dark, leafy greens are a nutrition powerhouse but they can be a kid repellant. It doesn’t need to be that way. Spinach melds in beautifully with a variety of recipes like light, fluffy spinach pancakes and Italian favorites like mini spinach-and-cheese pizzas or chicken- and spinach-stuffed shells. Turkey and spinach sliders are a fun spin on ho-hum hamburgers. For a family dinner with plenty of leftovers, try the spaghetti with spinach pesto or beef and spinach lasagna. Here’s one more reason to convince your kids to eat more veggies: October is Spinach Lovers Month!
Mini Spinach-and-Cheese Pizzas
What kid doesn’t love a slice of pizza? Even better, a hand-sized pizza. To make these mini spinach-and-cheese pizzas from Martha Stewart, start with four whole-wheat pitas. Spread ricotta over each one and sprinkle with seasoning. Top the ricotta with spinach and either bocconcini halves (fresh mozzarella cheese balls) or shredded mozzarella. Bake – and serve!
Chicken- and Spinach-Stuffed Shells
Stir together a large container of ricotta cheese with Parmesan cheese, cooked chicken pieces and spinach (thaw and drained of any liquid). Meanwhile, cook pasta shells and then stuff the mixture into each one. Place the pasta shells in a casserole dish and pour pasta sauce all over. Bake these chicken- and spinach-stuffed shells from Better Crocker until piping hot.
Spinach Pancakes
Will your kids eat green pancakes? You might be surprised especially if you’re using this spinach pancakes recipe from So Chic Life. Make the batter in a blender by pulsing together spinach, milk, egg, melted butter, sugar, nutmeg, flour and milk. Spoon batter onto a hot skillet and offer these pancakes with a little drizzle of maple syrup.
Spaghetti with Spinach Pesto
In a food processor, puree spinach with grated Parmesan, pine nuts and olive oil. As you cook spaghetti noodles, sauté shrimp. Stir together the hot pasta along with the shrimp and extra spinach pieces. This quick, easy spaghetti with spinach pesto recipe from Real Simple is the perfect weeknight meal.
Turkey-Spinach Sliders
In a bowl, mix together ground turkey, chopped spinach, thin-cut green onions, garlic and seasonings before forming into patties. In a medium-sized skillet cook each burger patty. Serve these turkey-spinach sliders from Bon Appétit with roasted sweet potato fries or a fresh, green salad.
Beef and Spinach Lasagna
Lasagna is so much better with spinach tucked inside. Even better? You can choose whether you tell your kids what’s mixed in – your kids won’t even notice otherwise. This beef and spinach lasagna recipe from Taste of Home is both hearty and nutritious.
