5 Kid-Friendly Instant Pot Recipes Your Family Will Love

Recipe 1: Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

This creamy mac and cheese is a hit with kids and easy to make in your Instant Pot.

Recipe 2: Instant Pot Chicken and Rice

A comforting dish that combines tender chicken with fluffy rice, perfect for a family meal.

Recipe 3: Instant Pot Beef Stew

This hearty beef stew is packed with vegetables and flavor, making it a great cold-weather dish.

Recipe 4: Instant Pot Vegetable Soup

A healthy and delicious vegetable soup that’s quick to prepare in the Instant Pot.

Recipe 5: Instant Pot Pancakes

These fluffy pancakes are a fun breakfast option that kids will love.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Recipe 1: Cheesy Chicken and Rice
3. Recipe 2: Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
4. Recipe 3: Beef Tacos
5. Recipe 4: Vegetable Soup
6. Recipe 5: Chocolate Lava Cake
7. FAQs
8. Conclusion

Introduction

Getting kids to eat nutritious meals can sometimes feel like a culinary challenge. Thankfully, the Instant Pot is here to save the day! This versatile kitchen appliance not only speeds up cooking but also locks in flavors, making meals more delicious. In this post, we’ll share five kid-friendly Instant Pot recipes that your family will absolutely love. These dishes are packed with flavor, easy to prepare, and sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. Let’s dive in!

Recipe 1: Cheesy Chicken and Rice

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup of long-grain rice
• 1 cup of chicken broth
• 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup of frozen peas and carrots
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Sauté the Chicken: Set your Instant Pot to ‘Sauté’ mode. Add a splash of oil and sauté the chicken breasts for about 3-4 minutes on each side until lightly browned.
2. Add Ingredients: Add the rice, chicken broth, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
3. Pressure Cook: Close the lid, set the valve to sealing, and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.
4. Release Pressure: Once done, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes, then switch to quick release.
5. Finish with Cheese and Veggies: Stir in the peas and carrots, then add the shredded cheese until melted.

Why Kids Love It: The creamy, cheesy texture combined with tender chicken and the pop of veggies makes this dish a hit!

Recipe 2: Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

Ingredients:

• 1 pound elbow macaroni
• 4 cups of water
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup milk
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook the Pasta: Add macaroni and water to the Instant Pot. Close the lid, set to sealing, and cook on high pressure for 4 minutes.
2. Release Pressure: Perform a quick release. Stir in the butter, cheese, and milk.
3. Mix Well: Continue stirring until the cheese is melted and creamy. Season with salt and pepper.

Why Kids Love It: The classic comfort food is made even better with the Instant Pot, creating a creamy, dreamy dish that kids adore!

Recipe 3: Beef Tacos

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 cup beef broth
• Taco shells
• Toppings: shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheese, sour cream

Instructions:

1. Brown the Beef: Use the ‘Sauté’ function to brown ground beef in the Instant Pot for about 5 minutes.
2. Add Seasoning and Broth: Stir in the taco seasoning and beef broth. Mix until well combined.
3. Pressure Cook: Close the lid and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.
4. Assemble Tacos: Quick release the pressure and serve the beef in taco shells with your favorite toppings.

Why Kids Love It: Tacos are fun to assemble and eat, plus they can customize them with their favorite toppings!

Recipe 4: Vegetable Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 cup chopped carrots
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1 cup chopped potatoes
• 1 cup canned diced tomatoes
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Prepare Vegetables: Add all the chopped vegetables to the Instant Pot.
2. Add Broth and Seasoning: Pour in the vegetable broth and add Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
3. Pressure Cook: Close the lid and cook on high pressure for 8 minutes.
4. Serve: Quick release the pressure and stir well before serving.

Why Kids Love It: This soup is colorful and packed with nutrients, making it a wholesome choice that’s both hearty and delicious.

Recipe 5: Chocolate Lava Cake

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 2 eggs
• 2 egg yolks
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Batter: Melt butter and chocolate in a bowl. In another bowl, whisk eggs, egg yolks, and sugar until light and fluffy. Combine both mixtures and fold in flour.
2. Pour into Ramekins: Grease ramekins and pour the batter into them, filling halfway.
3. Pressure Cook: Place the ramekins on a trivet in the Instant Pot and add 1 cup of water to the pot. Close the lid and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.
4. Serve: Allow to cool slightly, then invert onto plates for a gooey, delicious dessert.

Why Kids Love It: Who doesn’t love chocolate? This dessert is a fun, decadent treat that feels like a special occasion!

FAQs

Q: Can I use frozen chicken in these recipes?
A: Yes, you can use frozen chicken for the Cheesy Chicken and Rice recipe. Just add an extra 5-10 minutes to the cooking time.

Q: Are these recipes suitable for meal prep?
A: Absolutely! Most of these recipes can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Q: Can I customize the recipes for dietary restrictions?
A: Definitely! Substitute ingredients as needed. For example, use gluten-free pasta for the mac and cheese or plant-based meat for the tacos.

Conclusion

Cooking for kids doesn’t have to be a struggle, especially with the magic of the Instant Pot! These five kid-friendly recipes are not only simple to prepare but are also full of flavors that will have your family asking for seconds. So grab your Instant Pot and start cooking meals that everyone will love! Happy cooking!

For more Instant Pot inspiration, check out Visited 1 times, 1 visit(s) today