Help! I need two make ahead meal ideas, but no pasta or mince.

[MrsNouveauRichards]

My wonderful friend is helping me out with some childcare this week, and both times are over dinner time.

I need to be able to make ahead, no mince, not pasta and nothing too meaty. It is for my two children, her two children and her.

I thought maybe one picnic tea - mini quiches, hummus, pittas, crisps, carrot sticks, followed by strawberries and cake.

But need another meal idea. I want my friend to do as little as possible!

Should I just buy some pizzas and garlic bread?

Yup sounds like you have the perfect plan already. A quick salad with the pizza and garlic bread and you're sorted.

Pizzas and garlic bread are a great idea, very easy.

But also have a Google for Anna Richardsons Gardeners Pie, it's like a cottage pie but with lentils and veg, not meat. It's my default make ahead meal for veggies.

The Hairy Bikers do an amazing Bean and Sausage casserole too, but that might be too meaty.

Pizzas are nice and easy. Jacket potatoes with different fillings, curry and microwave rice? Ice lollies for pudding in this weather

Thank you all.

I made a sausage and bean casserole today actually which went down very well.

That veg and lentil pie sounds good, will definitely have to give that a go.

I have cones and ice cream, as well as lollies, so pudding is sorted.

Risotto in the oven is very easy & you can have it all ready to go in.

I make quiche from recipe you will find if you Google spinach mushroom and feta quiche, its not complicated and once cooked freezes well, I found it when looking for a way to get ds to eat more things with iron in them!
I think pizza a good idea in this weather, I usually do macaroni cheese as a tea when friends come round as most children like it but its a bit hotmaybe at the moment, Mary berrys one is nice althoughI don't use three types of cheese just cheddar! If freezing it dries out a bit so worth either making a bit more sauce or cooking slightly less pasta?

Risotto in the oven - have you got a recipe? Does it go on low?

Sorry just realised you said no pasta!

I initially thought of macaroni cheese, until I remembered one child isn't keen on pasta. I mean, which kids don't like pasta? :o

My kids will eat quiche if they are mini bitesize ones, which is handy as they are so easy to make!

Probably going to make industrial quantities of brownies too, so if all goes to pot there is something to fill them up! :o

fadbook there's a BBC recipe that comes up if you google, but basically you soften up your veg (can be done ahead), then add hot stock & put in the oven for 20mins at 180. Works a treat, & the only way I ever do risotto now.

That sounds good.

Will try that - it sounds easier than standing over the hob stirring and stirring and stirring....