Set the bowls out and let them handle it
Brown a pound of turkey with mild seasoning and a third of a cup of water. Put out romaine, cheddar, halved cherry tomatoes, black beans, and a bag of scoop-shaped chips.
Scoops are why little kids eat this without a fork. It is also the lightest dinner in this group, which makes it the one to reach for on a night that starts with a mile.
Ingredients
The recipe serves 4. Plan on about 20 minutes.
- 1 lb lean ground turkey
- 2 tablespoons mild taco seasoning
- 1/3 cup water
- 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 bag scoop-shaped tortilla chips
- 1/3 cup ranch or salsa, for serving
How to Make It
- Brown the turkey over medium-high heat, breaking it up, 6 to 7 minutes, until no pink remains.
- Stir in the taco seasoning and water; simmer 2 to 3 minutes until saucy, then take off the heat.
- Set out the lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, and beans in small bowls.
- Let each kid fill scoop chips with turkey and toppings.
- Drizzle with ranch or salsa and serve right away.
Timing Before Practice
Start about 25 minutes out; the meat is the only thing that needs cooking.
- T-minus 25: brown and season the turkey
- T-minus 12: chop lettuce and set out toppings
- T-minus 3: fill scoops and serve
Make It Ahead or Save Leftovers
The taco meat keeps for days and is the base for several quick dinners.
- Cook the turkey a day ahead and reheat in the microwave
- Keep chips and toppings separate so nothing wilts
- Roll leftover meat and cheese into a quesadilla tomorrow
- Serve with: guacamole, a glass of milk
Parent Tip
Use the scoop-shaped chips so younger kids can fill them without a fork.
Make it fit tonight
Small changes that make this one fit your night
Mild seasoning, salsa on the side
Keep the meat gentle and let the kid who wants heat add their own spoonful of salsa.
Turkey cooked the day before
It reheats in the microwave in two minutes and tastes the same as it did fresh.
Chips and toppings kept apart
Anything assembled early wilts, so let each kid load a scoop at the moment they eat it.
Black beans rinsed well
A rinse under cold water takes the canned taste off and stops the plate turning grey.
Leftover meat and cheese in a tortilla
Fold what is left into a quesadilla tomorrow and Wednesday takes five minutes.
Plan the next step
Find more build-your-own dinners
Use the planner to gather meals kids can assemble themselves.