Sometimes you need a break from the same rotation of chicken, burgers, casseroles and salads that you normally cook for dinner. One great way to switch it up is to serve breakfast for dinner. It's a variation that never fails to delight kids, as they love the idea of getting to eat sausage and syrupy french toast for their evening meal (it's also fun for grown-ups a well).



As you can see, these open-face French Toast Patty Melts mix things up a little, while making sure everyone eats a fun and tasty dinner (you can also serve the French toast plain for your really picky eaters). Add a side of banana slices or apple slices for well-rounded meal.

Pizza is nearly always a crowd pleaser. However, ordering takeout can get expensive and making your own dough can be time consuming and troublesome. These Cheesy Pita Pizzas are terrific because they are quick, easy and inexpensive to make at home. They'll work nicely for either lunch or dinner and kids love them because they can help pick out their toppings.



See! How fun and easy were those? Subbing in Italian dressing for tomato sauce gives the pizzas a zippy flavor and cuts the mess that marinara can make.

We all know how it is. Each weekend, you swear that you're going to do some planning and make some of your dinners for the coming week ahead of time and then the weekend goes by in a blur of soccer games, sleepovers and social studies projects. Monday arrives and once again, you're improvising and ordering out. This week, Family Favorites hopes to re-inspire you to set aside those few minutes on Sunday afternoon to gather your resources and simplify dinner during the week.



See! That's not so hard and the results are delicious. Click here for pasta bake recipes.

Who doesn't like a good grilled cheese sandwich? It is cheesy and crunchy, comforting and nourishing. As a sandwich, they can range from simple to sophisticated, and every variety has its fans. Here at Parentdish, we decided to help you find your ideal grilled cheese and so created five recipes for a wide range of eaters. We also wanted to hear from you and so asked readers to send in their favorite kid-friendly recipes. A number of people submitted and we selected MoxieMamaKC's recipe for its ease and kid-appeal.



MoxieMama's recipe cooks up like a dream and has the perfect balance of crunchy and creamy. The apple, cheddar and mustard in the second sandwich appeal to slightly older palates (although we do know of plenty of kids out there who like the combination of sweet and tart) and is also super simple to prepare. Add a bowl of soup and dinner is served!

Just because you don't have much time for dinner prep doesn't mean you and your family can't eat a delicious, homemade meal. This Skillet Chicken Parm cooks up in less than 10 minutes and uses ingredients you probably already have in your cupboards and freezer. This recipe makes enough for four, but you could double it easily if you need to feed a crowd.



1 pound chicken breasts, sliced into 8 cutlets
1 cup breadcrumbs
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon dried oregano
pinch dried red chili flakes
2 eggs, beaten
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 ½ cups marinara sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1. In a wide, shallow bowl mix breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, oregano and dried red chili flakes.
2. Beat the eggs in another shallow bowl.
3. Bread chicken cutlets by dipping them into the beaten egg and then into the breadcrumbs.
4. When all chicken pieces are coated, turn an oven-safe skillet on and add oil.
5. When the pan is hot, add the chicken pieces to the pan, laying them out around the perimeter first and then filling in the center.
6. Let the chicken cook for 2-3 minutes, until the first side is browned and then flip.
7. When the second side has cooked for 2-3 minutes and is brown, remove the pan from the heat and pour the marinara sauce over the chicken. Top with the cheese and put the pan into a 400 degree oven.
8. When the sauce simmers and the cheese bubbles, remove the pan from the oven.
9. Let cool for a minute or two and serve.

It's as easy as that. Chicken cutlets get breaded with an egg and breadcrumb dip and then quickly browned up in a little olive oil in a non-stick skillet. Once they're cooked, pour some marinara sauce (the jarred stuff is just fine) over the chicken and top with mozzarella cheese. Two or three minutes in the oven and dinner is served!

Breakfast time can be such a struggle. You want to get some good quality food into your kids' bellies before they rush out the door to school. They just want a pop tart (or worse, no food at all). We think these Denver bacon burritos might just save the day, as they're quick to make, highly portable, and strike just the right balance between healthy and tasty. You could even make the them night before, wrap them in foil, stash them in the fridge and bring them back up to temperature in the toaster oven during the morning rush.

Denver Bacon Burrito

1 Tbsp. chopped red or green bell pepper
1 Tbsp. chopped onion
1/4 cup cholesterol-free egg product
2 slices OSCAR MAYER Turkey Bacon, cooked
1 TACO BELL® HOME ORIGINALS® Flour Tortilla
1 KRAFT 2% Milk Sharp Cheddar Singles

Spray small skillet with cooking spray. Add red pepper and onion; cook and stir on medium heat 2 minutes. Add egg product; cook 3 minutes or until set, stirring occasionally.

Place turkey bacon on tortilla; cover with egg mixture and cheese. Roll up, burrito style; cut crosswise in half to serve.

With all those nicely caramelized veggies, the scrambled eggs, bacon, cheese and tortilla to make it into an on-the-go meal, this is another dish that is certain to become a Family Favorite.

Every parent I know is on a quest to keep their dinner hour simple, quick and trauma-free. Often that means you end up throwing together the same meal night after night. If you don't mind eating pasta with reheated sauce every night, feel free to carry on. However, if you're looking for a little variety, here's an easy recipe that you can pull together from ingredients that are probably already in your kitchen. It will keep your kids happy, your budget balanced and will get dinner on the table in a snap. It's also a good one to make ahead and the leftovers are just as tasty as the original.

Doesn't that look good? The rice is nutty and substantial, the peas lend sweetness and the cheesy sauce makes it creamy and a sure bet with the kids. What are you waiting for? This is sure to become a Family Favorite. So go on and make dinner already!

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cups diced onion
3 broccoli crowns
2 cups frozen peas
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons butter
2 cups mozzarella cheese
1 handful sharp cheddar cheese
4 cups cooked rice
1 teaspoon salt freshly ground pepper

1. In a large dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high heat. When it shimmers, add onions and sauté.
2. While the onions sizzle, chop broccoli into bite sized florets. Dice the stems into small pieces, to ensure that they'll soften during cooking.
3. Add the chopped broccoli to the pot and stir to incorporate with the onions.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Add a splash of water, reduce the heat and put a lid on the veggies to allow them to cook down a little.
6. In a separate saucepan, cook butter and flour together to form a roux.
7. When it looks toasted, whisk in the milk. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes, until it has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon.
8. Stir in the mozzarella cheese until it is melted. Remove from the heat.
9. Return to the pot with the broccoli and onion. Stir in the rice and peas until incorporated.
10. Pour cheese sauce over the veggies and rice and mix it in.
11. Sprinkle the cheddar cheese over the top and place the pot under the broiler for 3-5 minutes, just until the cheese browns.

There's nothing more comforting or familiar than a simple grilled cheese sandwich. The combination of crunchy, toasted bread and creamy, melted cheese makes for a meal that hits the spot, every single time.

We've got the gourmet side covered, but when it comes down to it, the basic sandwich will always be the one that kids scarf down without complaint. However, basic doesn't have to mean boring. So we want to know: How do you grill your cheese for your kids?

You can submit your recipe here. All recipes must be in no later than Friday, October 31. Please be clear and specific. If you can, please submit a web-friendly image (at least 75 dpi, no smaller than 200px wide) of your grilled cheese creation.

On Monday, November 10, we'll reveal our favorites in a Top 5 list and video demonstrating how to make two of your submitted recipes -- all on our Five-Minute Family Favorites hub.

Is getting dinner on the table each night starting to get you down? Are your kids tired of your five staple meals and clamoring for something new? Have no fear, Scott and Marisa are here to help with a series of simple and quick dinners that will quickly become Family Favorites. In this first episode, they make quick quesadillas and a simple, fresh home-made salsa.

Easy Quesadillas

• 4 large whole wheat tortillas
• 6 slices KRAFT Singles
• 8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 bag of baby spinach

1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Wilt spinach with a few tablespoons of water in a medium-sized skillet
3. Place on tortilla in bottom of larger skillet and lay the three slices of Kraft Singles over tortilla.
4. Scatter half the wilted and drained spinach over the Kraft Singles.
5. Top with half the shredded cheddar cheese.
6. Close the quesadilla with another tortilla.
7. When cheese on bottom starts to melt, carefully flip the quesadilla.
8. Cook until the tortillas are toasted on either side and the cheese is melted.
9. Repeat with remaining ingredients for a second quesadilla.

Serve with homemade salsa (recipe below) and a dollop of sour cream.

These quesadillas are parent and kid pleasers because they incorporate a green veggie, whole grains and protein-rich cheese for an easy meal. Whip up a bowl of salsa with a tomato or two, some diced onion, garlic, cilantro and some canned diced chiles for a side that you can feel good about. What are you waiting for? Go and create a new favorite dinner for your family!

Click below to visit our Five-Minute Family Favorites hub, complete with even more easy, great-tasting recipes!