School holidays are for making memories, not spending hours scrubbing pots. Whether you are enjoying a staycation at home or have jetted off abroad, these recipes are designed to be portable, adaptable, and most importantly, quick.
By involving the kids in the kitchen, you turn “What’s for lunch?” into a fun activity. Here are three delicious, kid-approved meals (Ok, we are making our best attempt, even for our picky eaters) that use minimal equipment and offer easy alternatives for those with allergies.
1. The Ultimate Baguette (or Ciabatta!) Pizzas
Inspired by The Busy Baker
This is the ultimate holiday lunch. It’s faster than delivery and kids love being the head chef of their own toppings.
Alternative: If you can’t find a French baguette, Ciabatta rolls or loaves work beautifully. Their airy pockets catch the sauce and create a lovely, chewy texture.
Prep time: 5 mins | Cook time: 15-20 mins
🍽 Kid’s job: Brushing the garlic butter and decorating the pizzas with toppings
Ingredients
- 1 large French baguette or 2 large Ciabatta loaves (halved lengthways)
- 45g unsalted butter, melted
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 250ml pizza sauce or tomato passata or tomato paste (spread sparingly as it has a richer taste)
- 175g grated mozzarella
Toppings: Anything goes. Try pepperoni, onions, peppers, thinly sliced chorizo slices or ham
Method:
Preheat oven to 200°C/Gas Mark 6. Place bread halves on a baking tray
- Mix melted butter and garlic powder; brush over the bread
- Bake for 8 minutes until slightly crisp (this prevents sogginess!)
- Spread with sauce, sprinkle with cheese, and add toppings
- Bake for another 8–10 minutes until the cheese is bubbling
Allergen swaps:
Dairy-free: Use plant-based butter and vegan mozzarella
Gluten-free: Use a GF baguette or GF ciabatta rolls
2. One-Pan “Taco Pasta” Skillet
Italians may gasp at this, but if it makes the kiddos happy, why not give it a try? This one-pan wonder combines the flavours of taco night with the comfort of pasta. Everything, including the pasta, cooks in one single pan, meaning zero colanders to wash up.
Prep time: 5 mins | Cook time: 15 mins
🍽 Kid’s job: Stirring the pasta (with supervision) and sprinkling the cheese at the end.
Ingredients:
- 500g lean beef mince (or turkey mince)
- 1 tbsp taco seasoning (mild)
- 300g dried pasta (fusilli or penne work best)
- 400g tin chopped tomatoes
- 700ml beef or vegetable stock
- 100g grated cheddar cheese
Method:
- In a large deep pan or skillet, brown the mince over medium heat. Drain any excess fat.
- Stir in the taco seasoning, then add the dry pasta, tinned tomatoes, and stock.
- Bring to a boil, then turn down the heat and simmer for 10–12 minutes until the pasta is tender and the liquid has become a thick sauce.
- Stir in the cheese until melted. Serve straight from the pan!
Allergen swaps:
Meat-free/vegan: Swap beef for tinned black beans or green lentils.
Gluten-free: Use gluten-free pasta (check the cooking time as it may be shorter).
3. Smoky Sausage & Bean Traybake
Perfect for a holiday fridge raid, this recipe is as simple as tossing everything onto a tray and letting the oven do the work. It’s a great source of protein and fibre to keep kids fuelled for a day of exploring.
Prep time: 5 mins | Cook time: 25 mins
🍽 Kid’s job: Tossing the vegetables in oil and arranging the sausages on the tray (clean those hands after!)
Ingredients:
- 1 pack (6-8) high-quality pork or chicken sausages
- 400g tin cannellini beans or butter beans (drained)
- 200g cherry tomatoes
- 1 bell pepper, chopped into chunks
- 1 tbsp olive oil & 1 tsp dried oregano
- Optional: serve with crusty bread or your kids’ favourite
Method:
- Preheat oven to 200°C/Gas Mark 6
- Place sausages, beans, tomatoes, and peppers on a large baking tray
- Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with oregano. Toss together with your hands or a spoon
- Roast for 25 minutes, turning the sausages halfway through, until they are golden and the tomatoes have burst into a sauce
Allergen swaps:
Sausages: Ensure sausages are “gluten-free” (many premium brands are). For a meat-free version, use halloumi chunks or veggie sausages.
Nutritional Value (Approximate per serving)
| Recipe | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Fiber |
| French Bread Pizza | 380 kcal | 15g | 45g | 16g | 3g |
| One-Pan Taco Pasta | 420 kcal | 28g | 48g | 12g | 4g |
| Sausage & Bean Bake | 350 kcal | 22g | 18g | 22g | 7g |
Holiday pro-tip:
If you are abroad, look for local versions of these ingredients. A local Chorizo can replace pepperoni, and a French Boulangerie baguette will take your pizzas to the next level. Happy holidays and happy cooking.
Have any one-pan recipes to share?
Drop them in the comments or share this article online and add your recipe suggestions in the comments.