becoming at Home

I don’t claim to be a great cook. However, I have enough common sense to follow a recipe—so I guess that makes me an okay cook.

Before becoming a mother, companies like HelloFresh (meal kit services) were our go-to. We were only cooking for two adults, and we didn’t love the idea of buying bulk ingredients from the store that would only be used for one or two recipes. It felt wasteful. So, HelloFresh just made sense. Everything was portioned properly, and it made enough meals for my husband and me.

Now that I’m a mother, on top of everything else I’ve had to learn, I’ve also had to seriously level up my cooking game. There’s a certain level of creativity and wit required when you’re cooking for a toddler.

Our almost 16-month-old isn’t the pickiest eater, but he definitely has an on-and-off relationship with vegetables. Honestly, he’s fully convinced he can survive on bread, water, and milk. Some days he loves veggies… other days, he believes they belong on the floor.

So, I decided I wasn’t going to let myself get frustrated over my food-slinging toddler. Instead, I started looking up recipes that sneak veggies in—incognito style. And let me tell you… it is WORKING.

First of all, having a food processor is HEAVEN. Being a mom to a toddler requires so much of my attention, and I’m also trying not to rely on the TV as a crutch while I cook. The food processor makes prep so efficient—it’s honestly been a game changer. If you’re still contemplating about getting one, this is your sign. Get it!

So, after all that trial and error (and a lot of food ending up on the floor), I’ve found a few go-to recipes that actually work. Like, consistently work. These are the ones I keep coming back to.

🧡 Hidden Veggie Toddler Lasagna

For the sauce:

• 1 lb ground beef or turkey (optional, but adds flavor)
• 1 jar marinara (look for a smooth one like Rao’s Homemade or Prego)
• 1 cup finely grated carrots
• 1 cup finely grated zucchini
• ½ cup finely chopped spinach (fresh or frozen, squeezed dry)
• ½ small onion, minced (optional—skip if your toddler is sensitive)
• 2 cloves garlic (optional)
• 1–2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp salt (adjust for toddler)

Cheese layer:

• 1 cup ricotta (or cottage cheese for smoother texture, I’ve also done 1/2 cup greek yogurt + 1/2 cup cottage cheese–my favorite combo, honestly!)
• 1½ cups shredded mozzarella
• ¼ cup parmesan
• 1 egg

Other:

• Lasagna noodles (regular or oven-ready)
• Extra mozzarella for topping

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Make the hidden veggie sauce

• Heat olive oil, cook onion + garlic (if using)
• Add meat, cook until browned
• Stir in grated carrots + zucchini → cook until soft (this is key—they disappear!)
• Add marinara + spinach + seasoning
• Simmer 10–15 mins until thick and blended

👉 Tip: If your toddler is extra picky, blend the sauce for a few seconds. It becomes smooth and creamy-looking.

2. Mix cheese layer

• Combine ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, and egg

3. Layer it up

• Sauce → noodles → cheese → repeat
• Finish with sauce + extra mozzarella on top

4. Bake

• 375°F for 35–40 minutes
• Cover with foil first 25 min, then uncover for bubbly cheese

💡 Toddler-Friendly Tricks

• Chop or grate veggies super fine (or blend sauce)
• Add a tiny pinch of sugar if sauce tastes too tangy
• Let it cool slightly before serving (sets better + safer)
• Cut into tiny squares for easy grabbing

Now for something a little easier (because we love balance over here).

I found this recipe through the “Boobie Bracelet” newsletter, and it has been my go-to for my son’s breakfast. It’s simple, filling, and super customizable—which is a lifesaver on busy mornings.

Easy Banana Oatmeal Muffins (SO Good)

Leave a comment below if you decided to try either of these two recipes! I’d love to hear your experience.

I’m realizing more and more that this season isn’t about having a long list of perfect recipes—it’s about finding a few that make life easier and actually get eaten. These are mine right now, and honestly, that feels like enough.