Gluten-Free Friday: Schoolday Dinner

Hey GF parents! School going okay so far? Dinner ideas for school nights probably come easier now, but we can still offer some tips and recipes to add variety to your repertoire.

Kid-friendly fare is an easy choice, and there are several dishes that can be made ahead on weekends or prep easily on weeknights. Lasagna is much easier now that DeBoles gluten-free noodles are available, and pizza dough can be made in advance and frozen until you're ready to use it. You can even add extra servings of vegetables to these dishes. Spinach works well in lasagna and you just might find that your little ones like broccoli on pizza! Shepherd's pie is a hit around here, with layers of cooked veggie crumbles, peas, carrots and mashed potatoes. Baked at 400º until lightly brown on top – this dish is simply wonderful.

Once the weather cools, dishes like chili, red beans & cornbread, and soup will warm the belly. Chili is a great slow-cooker option that can be either meat- or bean-based. Soup recipes are often based on legumes; we like navy beans and lentils. Potato soup and tortilla soup are also good choices and can be cooked in a crock pot while you're away at work. Chicken or vegetable pot pies, if made ahead with gluten-free crust and frozen, can be easily defrosted and baked on school nights for an easy dinner. Two other choices are meatloaf made with Heinz or Annie's Naturals ketchup, or potato & hamburger hash.

Quick-fix meals are a must, so try some buffet-style eating. Have the kids help you set out a taco bar with corn shells, meat and all the fixin's; a grilled chicken banquet featuring potato salad, fruit salad, and cole slaw; or a scrambled egg burrito station, featuring salsa, shredded cheese, tortillas and your favorite veggies. Mexican bowls are easy, too, and far healthier than the fast-food version: layer rice, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese and meat crumbles a bowl, top with salsa, guacamole or sour cream. Speaking of fast-food, how about chicken tenders?

Here are some other recipes to try out with your family this fall:

Breakfast for dinner

(mostly GF options)

Cornmeal-crusted shrimp
Nachos
Frittata
Tofu scramble
Spring rolls
Tater tot casserole
Enchilada casserole
Sloppy Joes
Sweet potato hummus