Dinner Ideas for a Group

[wanderingenough]

Now that we are back near family, we have made plans to have dinner every other weekend with BIL/SIL/niece/2 nephews. We haven't been super close in the past, so I'm on board with this idea if for R's sake more than anything. SIL and I will swap cooking/hosting. I'm admittedly not a very good cook. H and I are usually pretty happy with a lean meat/veggie, a pasta dish, tacos, etc. Can anyone share kid friendly ideas for dinners that won't kill me? 

It's my turn to cook again this Sunday. Last time I made baked ziti. My SIL did these mexican stuffed pasta shells for her turn a couple weeks ago. The kids (who will be eating) are 3 and 4. My kiddo and the youngest baby may eat it or may get their own meal, so them liking isn't really important.

[katespade]

I feel like pasta dishes are usually a safe bet with kids.
Do you have a slow cooker? You could do some sort of pulled pork or pulled chicken sandwiches.

Meatball Sub Bubble Up Bake
Taco Lasagna
White Chicken Enchiladas
Chicken Taco Chili

[MrsMB]

I second katespade Crockpot for the win. Plus enchiladas are good...

[wanderingenough]

Thanks katespade!! Those are perfect! Plus crockpot is so much easier than actually cooking. Haha!

[amaranth]

-BBQ pork (or chicken) sandwiches. I love adding pineapple and pepper jack cheese then baking them in the oven.

-This recipe is one of our go tos for everything. Delicious, easy, and kids love it too: allrecipes.com/recipe/11892/penne-and-vodka-sauce/?internalSource=amp&referringContentType=amp%20recipe&clickId=amp_main_image

-Pizza is always a winner.

-Also, I don't think it's bad to serve items you would normally eat such as chicken breasts and veggies. If you're getting together that often I don't think you have to put on a show each time.

[katespade]

I agree with amaranth. If this is going to be a regular thing, I wouldn't feel bad about serving whatever you usually eat rather than always making something fancy.

[wanderingenough]

You're right, amaranth. I think I have a bit of a working mama complex here even though I honestly have no idea what SIL's evenings ACTUALLY look like. In my head it's all salad/home made dinner/side/dessert and don't forget to bless the food! While we are over here like "R is screaming and knocking his damn meatballs on the floor again, can you wipe that up?"