When we go to restaurants, my kids LOVE the salad bar. They thoroughly enjoy getting to choose what goes on their plate. My middle boy piles his plate with cheese, tomatoes and black olives. My oldest picks out all the pasta salads, ham, lettuce, broccoli and croutons. My middle girl, without fail, choses the bread and crackers with a side of shredded cheese.
Why not turn your next meal into a “Bar”? Your kids get to pick and chose how to make their perfect plate and you don’t have to assemble anything! Simply set the ingredients on the table and let the family have fun. It’s a WIN-WIN!
Beyond the obvious Salad Bar, here are some super fun “Bars” to try in your own home! They are all ready in about the same amount of time as it takes to make a pot of mashed potatoes.
- A Pasta Bar!
Who doesn’t love pasta? It is easy! Pasta cooks fast, so while the water is coming to a boil and the pasta is cooking you can prep the other ingredients!
Try some of these yummy add-ons at your Pasta Bar:
- Alfredo Sauce
- Marinera Sauce
- Pesto
- Butter
- Parmesan Cheese
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Chopped Tomatoes
- Fresh Basil
- Fresh Ground Black Pepper
- Garlic Powder
- Meatballs
- Chicken Sausage
- Pasta (Have fun with shapes and flavors!)
2) A Build Your Own Burrito Bowl Bar!
Tacos are the bomb! For some reason, however, I never remember to buy the shells when I go grocery shopping. This Bar is perfect for anyone who is trying to eat healthy because you can make your Bowl with more veggies and lighter on the rice, while the kiddos can go to town on what they love most.
Here are some fun ingredients to include:
- Brown Rice
- Ground Beef or Soy Crumbles cooked with Mexican Seasoning
- Chopped Romaine (Short on time? Buy the bagged Romaine Lettuce)
- Chopped Tomatoes
- Salsa
- Guacamole
- Shredded Cheese
- Sliced Black Olives
- Fat Free Refried Beans
- Sour Cream
- Pickled Jalapeños
3) A Sandwich Bar!
Don’t be fooled into thinking this is a boring bar. While it sounds incredibly basic, it can be super fun for the kids. Best part? They won’t even realize you are secretly just getting them to make their own dinner. Serve these with snap peas and hummus on the side.
Some delicious ideas that may already be ready to go in your fridge may be:
- Bread
- Wraps
- Deli Ham
- Deli Roast Beef
- Deli Turkey
- Fresh Mozzarella
- Cheddar Cheese
- Lettuce
- Sliced Tomatoes
- Sliced Onion
- Dill Pickles
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Oil & Vinegar
- Salt & Pepper
- Peanut Butter
- Jelly
4) A Mediterranean Bar!
It is always ok to get inventive with your food. Kid food can get really boring, after all. Why not lay out some flavors you love and see if your kiddos will try anything new? There are definitely good ‘ol standbys here, so there is no risk involved with serving up this Bar!
Enjoy these fun ingredients:
- Couscous (It cooks in 5 minutes!)
- Pita Bread
- Falafel
- Stuffed Grape Leaves
- Crumbled Feta
- Hummus
- Tzatziki Sauce
- Marinated Olives
- Romaine Lettuce
- Chopped Tomatoes
- Sliced Red Onion
- Extra Vergin Olive Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- Salt & Pepper
5) A Mashed Potato Bar!
This is one of my favorites! When I lived in Chicago there was an amazing Restaurant and Bar called the Mashed Potato Club. It was the perfect place to go as a twenty-something for delicious food, martinis, and a fab vibe. Sadly, this club closed. The menu, however, will always remain in my heart! What did they serve up at The Mashed Potato Club? Well, mashed potatoes, of course! With 100+ toppings to create a very filling meal! So, mash up a big pot of your favorite spuds and try topping them with some of these items!
- Shredded Cheese (Cheddar? Mozzarella? Pepper Jack? Your Choice!)
- Steamed Broccoli
- Sautéed Spinach
- Sautéed Peppers and Onions
- Sun Dried Tomatoes
- Shredded Carrots
- Grilled Chicken
- Steak
- Chopped Bacon
- Sour Cream
- Chives
- Slivered Almonds
- Butter
The beauty of all of these “Salad” Bars is that there are so many ways to keep them interesting. Try different bread options or different pasta sauces or different rices and salsas your family will never be get bored! Why not try a Salad Bar Night with your family?
*Do you have any ingredients that you love which would be a great addition to these “Salad” Bars? Or, do you have any other “Salad” Bar ideas? Share them in the comments below!