As we all try to limit our meat intake to help save the planet, it can be tough to find foods that the kids will love as much as the grown ups. 

Luckily there are lots of plant-based meals that are easy to make and pass the kids taste test. To give you a helping hand, we’ve rounded up five recipes for your meat-free family meals.

1. Lentil spaghetti bolognese

Spag bol is a family favourite and, if you’re anything like us, one of your staple weekly meals. The good news is there are lots of plant-based alternatives you can use to replace the beef mince. 

One option is using a vegan mince (your kids won’t be able to tell the difference!). Or make this easy lentil spaghetti bolognese with red lentils in place of meat.

If you’ve got fussy eaters, blitz up the veggies to make a smooth sauce before adding the lentils. Serve with pasta and vegan garlic bread for a yummy kids tea.

2. Fry’s Stars and Moons

Chicken nuggets are always a hit. But while kids love them, they’re not great if you want to reduce the amount of meat you’re all eating. 

Step forward Fry’s all-new Stars and Moons. The 100% vegan chicken style pieces are a brilliant meat-free alternative and a source of protein and fibre. They also make meal times fun thanks to their star and moon shapes. Serve with veggies or beans for a filling (and crowd pleasing!) dinner.

You can pick up your pack of Fry’s Stars and Moons from Iceland or The Food Warehouse. And don’t miss the story of Charlie the Chicken on the side of the box, along with a cut-out-and-keep rocket for story time fun.

3. Cauliflower cheese

Eating plant-based doesn’t mean you have to cut out cheese. Which is good news because for your kid’s teatime, you  can’t beat a comforting cauliflower cheese. Not only is it tasty, it’s super easy to make.

This cauliflower cheese recipe is simple to adapt: swap in vegan milk, cheese and butter (you’ll find them in your supermarket chilled aisle) and voila. 

Serve with chips and peas or with a chunk of bread to mop up all the lovely sauce. Yum.

4. Vegan sausages and sweet potato mash

Kids love sausages … but they don’t have to be meaty. There are lots of vegan alternatives to choose from so have a look in the chilled or frozen aisle next time you do your weekly shop.

Serve with sweet potato mash, peas and gravy (swap in plant-based milk and butter for this recipe). 

Mash is also a tasty side for Fry’s Stars and Moons: they go from freezer to plate in just 10 minutes which is ideal when you need tea on the table in a hurry. Anyone else feeling hungry yet?

5. Falafel wraps

Looking for plant-based picnic ideas? There are loads of vegan options that are as yummy as they are child-friendly.

These falafel wraps are seriously tasty: just swap the yogurt for a plant-based alternative. Or try plain hummus wraps, vegan cheese sandwiches or this delicious couscous salad for kids (leave out the halloumi or add a vegan alternative).