Ground Beef Recipes for Toddlers
- September 9, 2024
- Last Updated: October 7, 2024
- 3 Comments
- Recipes
Ground beef has so many nutrients for babies, toddlers and kids! These flavorful ground beef recipes for toddlers are easy ways to serve up beef and provide iron, zinc, B-Vitamins and more to growing toddlers.
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Whether you have a picky eater or you just want your kids to eat the same family meal as you, these family friendly ground beef recipes for kids are your solution.
Beef pairs well with so many food groups, which certainly increases its chances of success and acceptance.
I think one of the main reasons that toddlers and kids enjoy ground beef so much is that it’s usually paired with other foods they like.
Consider pasta dishes, mac and cheese or tacos.
Creamy, cheesy goodness. An easy way to sneak in some protein and the nutrition of ground beef!
But, even if your toddler doesn’t take to any of these ground beef recipes, rest assured that there’s still hope. You can just add ground beef to meals that they already like!
For instance, if your toddler likes scrambled eggs and toast, try adding 1-2 teaspoons of ground beef to the plate.
By serving it with foods your toddler already likes and is comfortable with, it increases the odds of them trying it.
You can do this with any food(s) or meal(s), or even add beef to other recipes you enjoy.
For instance, we often add it to instant pot tortellini soup or atop of our favorite air fryer pizza bites.
Beef Nutrition for Toddlers
Beef is generally well-accepted among kids, which is great because it has so much nutrition!
When it comes to bang for your buck, there’s honestly not much that compares to a 3 oz serving of beef, which is why I love serving ground beef recipes to babies as a foundational food!
When serving beef to babies, you can even start with a My Serenity Kids Pouch, which features pureed beef.
Beef packs a punch of protein, iron, zinc, selenium, B-Vitamins and more.
Nutrient deficiencies during childhood and adolescence can lead to significant growth challenges, like delayed physical development, slowed linear growth and decreased cognitive function, among others.
Iron and zinc are extremely important for strong cognitive function, while deficiencies are linked to cognitive impairment and poor academic performance in school children, with or without anemia.
Fortunately, beef is a great source of heme iron, which is much more absorbable than plant iron.
Hence, incorporating ground beef meals for kids can help aid children in getting enough of this important mineral.
Tips for Feeding Kids
If you are new to serving ground beef to toddlers, here are the general guidelines when feeding kids – this helps for introducing new foods!
- Remove any pressure – As is the case with intuitive eating for kids, it’s important that there is no force feeding going on with children. Pressure around food can create a negative feeding atmosphere and food connections, so try to keep it casual. While of course, we want our kids to get ample nutrition, we never want to provide pressure at the table to finish a food, clear a plate, or even eat a food.
- Encourage curiosity – Letting them be curious and serving new foods with familiar foods is a great tip for getting toddlers to eat veggies or try new foods.
- Eat the same meal – Having toddlers and kids watch you eat is monumental in their learning and helps normalize eating different (and new) foods. Ideally, you are all eating the same meal together.
- Create a pleasurable atmosphere – Similar to removing all pressure around food, aim to create a calm and pleasant environment around feeding. This helps kids relax.
- Try other meals – If you find that your toddlers aren’t taking to these family friendly ground beef recipes at dinner, you can try adding it to their summer lunches or plate it along with another after-school snack.
If you have a picky eater and worry that they aren’t getting proper nutrition, ground beef is a great option to serve.
These ground beef recipes for picky eaters can provide so much nutrition and take some of the worry off of you, as parents.
Modifications if Kids Have Allergies
If you want to serve ground beef recipes to your kids, but they have allergens, here are some changes you can make:
- If the recipe calls for cheese, omit it completely or substitute it with a cashew-based or plant-based cheese.
- If you or your toddler is gluten-free, make sure to avoid breads, certain grains and sauces. This is a great resource for finding hidden sources of gluten.
- If your family is trying to eat more plant-based, you can certainly reduce the amount of beef in these recipes and add in more lentils or veggies instead. There are several lentil recipes for toddlers that fit the bill!
- Use a food thermometer to make sure the ground beef is completely cooked. This is so important when serving ground beef recipes for baby and kiddos.
Favorite Ground Beef Recipes for Toddlers
When searching for ground beef meals for kids, ideally you’re finding recipes with other healthy ingredients, too, like fruits, veggies and grains.
Pair them with any of these delicious toddler smoothie recipes.
To make your life easier, I’ve compiled a great roundup of ground beef recipes for toddlers and kids that the whole family can enjoy!
Ground Beef Recipes for Toddlers
These family friendly ground beef recipes pack a punch of nutrition and flavor, and are a great way to add nutrition into your toddler's diet!
This Skillet Breakfast Scramble is a tasty and nutritious one-pan meal that should not be limited to just breakfast. A healthy breakfast scramble full of protein, veggies and lots of flavor, it is great for group gatherings or meals that can last you throughout the week!
Need dinner on the table quickly? This cheesy beef taco pasta is a family-favorite, combining the wonderful flavors of cheesy pasta with tacos. Best of all, it's ready in under 30 minutes and in one pot!
Easy Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce is rich, meaty, and bursting with Italian flavors, all effortlessly prepared in your slow cooker.
Baked Ravioli Casserole recipe is like a lasagna but with half the work and great for kids.
No need to wait hours for lasagna; this gluten-free meat lasagna is quick and great for weeknights.
The macaroni is cooked to perfection, and then mixed with a delicious blend of ground beef, corn and diced tomatoes.
Make this easy Air Fryer Frito Pie with leftover or store-bought chili for a quick weeknight dinner! Topped with melted cheese and crunchy Fritos, it’s a comfort food classic.
This Skillet Ground Beef Recipe is made with orzo and topped with feta cheese and is a one-pot family favorite.
This Homemade Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger Macaroni recipe is way better than the boxed version, and just as easy to make! Ready in just 30 minutes, and loaded with lots of real cheddar cheese!
Layers of seasoned ground beef, crunchy corn chips, gooey melted cheese and taco toppings make this a family classic!
Toddlers will love these sliders on Hawaiian rolls that are perfectly sweet and savory.
This mini meatloaf recipe is perfect for toddlers and kids. You'll want to make it again and again.
Making the meal fun is a great way to entice toddlers to eat new foods. Toddlers and kids will love eating ground beef off a stick!
Even serving ground beef with a cheesy pasta may do the trick! If you have a picky eater, try separating the beef from the cheesy pasta on a separated plate.
Spaghetti and meatballs is a true favorite among kids and a classic. Make your own with this easy recipe!
This noodle bake is easy to make ahead and freeze for those busy nights with your toddler!
If your toddler loves mashed potatoes or butter, this meatloaf mashed potato casserole may do the trick!
What a fun way to serve beef to toddlers with this egg rolls recipe that's crunchy on the outside and savory on the inside. Ask toddlers to see what's inside when they take a bite!
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