3 Babysitter-Friendly Recipes that Are Fun and Healthy

Because our youngest is finally sleeping through the night, my husband and I are excited to start going out in the evenings again. Feels like we are coming out of the baby fog a little and are joining society once more. It feels like so long ago that we were able to go out on regular dates and we miss it.

Read More: Schedule a Regular Date Night With Your Sweetie

Although there is quite a bit of planning when it comes to leaving the kids with a sitter, it is truly worth it to get a few precious hours alone with the hubby. I tend to be very particular about what the kids eat and I want to make sure they are well-fed in our absence. I have found a few no-fail recipes that the sitter can make, the kids are guaranteed to eat, and that can be fun all at the same time.

Read More: Fast and Frugal: 10 No-Fuss Weeknight Dinners

Quick, Easy, and Healthy Babysitter-Friendly Dinners

1. Pita Pizzas: Easy to make, healthy, and delicious. This is a kid favorite and is high in calcium and lycopene.

Pre-heat oven (or toaster oven) to 400 degrees.

Ingredients Per Pizza:
1 Whole wheat pita
1/4 cup tomato sauce
1/2 cup shredded low-fat mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup veggies- I like to pre-cut a variety of veggies the kids can choose from ahead of time. Spinach, peppers, olives, and mushrooms are our favorites.

Top pitas with sauce, cheese, the toppings. Cook for 8-10 minutes. I like to serve these with a simple spinach strawberry salad.

2. Baked Potato Bar: An easy and fun dinner activity. Potatoes (with the skin) are an excellent source of fiber, vitamin C, and potassium.

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Wash russet potatoes and poke them with a fork a few times. Pop them in the oven for 45 minutes-1 hour.

Ingredients:
1 cup diced onion
1/2 cup shredded cheddar
1/2 cup chopped tomato
1/2 cup broccoli, steamed or raw
1/2 cup low-fat sour cream
1 can low-sodium turkey chili, heated

Place each ingredient in a separate bowl. Once potatoes are cooked, slice them down the middle and let the kids top them to their liking.

3. Mediterranean Chickpea Salad: Chickpeas are a wonder food high in protein, fiber, and folic acid. They are also the best legume for lowering cholesterol.

Ingredients:
1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup tomatoes, chopped
1/4 cup red onion, diced
1/4 cup black olives
1/2 cup cucumber, chopped
1/4 cup feta cheese
1 handful of herbs like basil or parsley

Dressing: 1/4 cup olive oil, juice of 1 lemon, salt and pepper
Mix in a large bowl and enjoy with fruit on the side like sliced pear.

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