It’s probably safe to say that most of us are perpetually on the hunt for something simple and tasty to feed our kids, that we as parents will enjoy eating too. We certainly are!

Family dinner is great, but during the week we definitely find it challenging to whip up something that appeals to an adult palate, that can also be made with little forethought or prep in under an hour. We thought we’d start a new series where we share some of our go-to recipes (recipe might be a stretch!) for simple family dinners. Naturally they’ll embrace the season too.

This time of year it’s all about bright summer produce, and even if your little ones aren’t so into eating their veggies, this simple recipe appeals to nearly everyone. And it goes nicely with a cold glass of rosé which means that mama and papa can enjoy a civilized meal too, even if it’s served at 5:30 pm.

This recipe is really less of a recipe and more of a preparation. You can interpret it how you like, adding more veggies if you’re inclined or subbing the butter for olive oil, or GF pasta for the real deal if you must.

Bonus points for having play food that corresponds to the recipe!

1-2 baskets of cherry tomatoes
~2-3 tbsp of butter per basket of tomatoes
2-3 cloves garlic
1 tub fresh mozzarella balls (kids love these!)
a few springs of basil, leaves thinly sliced
plus salt, pepper, and whatever pasta you like to eat

Start by sautéing heating the butter over medium heat in a heavy, flat-bottomed pan or skillet. Add the garlic as soon as the butter has melted and let it sizzle for a few minutes. (You can also use a mix of butter and olive oil.) Then dump in the cherry tomatoes, toss them around for a few minutes, sprinkle with a bit of salt, and walk away.

Meanwhile heat the water for pasta, and when it’s ready cook it how you like. Fusilli isn’t necessarily the perfect noodle for this dish, but the kids sure like them. While the tomatoes are cooking (you should check on them every now and again), slice the basil and grate some parmesan.

As the tomatoes cook, stir them around and smash them with the back of a wooden spoon so they become more like a sauce in the pan. You can add some salt and pepper to the mix too. Don’t forget to taste as you go!

When the tomatoes are ready, you’ll have a nice thick batch of slightly soupy, very tasty tomatoes. Drain the cooked pasta and return it to the pan. Toss with a bit of olive oil, then dump in the cooked tomato mixture, the sliced basil, and the drained mozzarella balls. Plus a bit more salt and pepper to taste.

Dish into lovely pasta bowls, top with a bit more basil and some parmesan cheese, and pour yourself a glass of wine. We like to set out a little bowl of lightly cooked broccoli with olive oil and lemon zest to make sure the tiny people are getting at least a teensy bit of vegetable matter into their tummies too, but that’s certainly optional. Basil is green, right?

Perfect bite = tomato + basil + cheese.

Really, truly the simplest meal. And so yummy for everyone seated at the table. Do share your favorite family meals with us! We’d love to hear some of your go-tos, and we promise to share a few more of our own too. Cin cin!