Busy Mom From Scratch Kitchen: Best Recipe Ideas & Solutions

Welcome to my busy mom from scratch kitchen! I will share some staple recipes in my home that have proven to work well for my family. Better yet, they’re super simple, great tasting, nutritious, and fast! If you’re a working mom, stay-at-home mom, or a combination thereof with a busy schedule, this post is for you. All of us know that a mom’s life can be difficult at times, especially when it comes to feeding the whole family good nutritious food. Most moms will not have much time to spend in the kitchen daily because they have other tasks to complete such as chores, working outside of the home, homeschooling, and other requirements.

Here are some of the busy mom from scratch delicious recipes I use regularly that I will be sharing with you:

Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal
Sourdough Dutch Baby Pancakes

Why real food matters

The term “real food” typically refers to whole, unprocessed foods that are as close to their natural state as possible. Real food is often contrasted with processed or heavily refined foods. Here are some characteristics of real food:

Whole and Minimally Processed: Real foods are in their natural, whole state and have undergone minimal processing. Examples include fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and unprocessed meats.
Nutrient-Dense: Real foods are rich in essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They provide a wide range of health benefits and support overall well-being.
No Artificial Additives: Real foods generally do not contain artificial additives, preservatives, colors, or flavors. They are free from synthetic chemicals that are often found in processed foods.
Limited or No Packaging: Real foods, especially fruits and vegetables, may have little to no packaging. Processed foods, on the other hand, often come in elaborate packaging with a list of ingredients.
Close to Nature: Real food is as close to its natural form as possible. This includes minimally processed grains, lean meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, and unprocessed dairy products.

Examples of real foods include:

– Fruits and vegetables

– Whole grains (brown rice, quinoa, oats)

– Lean meats (chicken, fish, turkey)

– Nuts and seeds

– Legumes (beans, lentils)

– Dairy products (preferably unprocessed and low in added sugars)

– Eggs

It’s important to note that the definition of “real food” can vary based on individual perspectives and dietary philosophies. Some people may include certain minimally processed foods in their definition, while others may strictly focus on whole, unprocessed items. Ultimately, choosing real food as the foundation of your diet is often associated with promoting health and well-being.

Key to success

The main key to succeeding is time management. I know that not everyone is wired for this, many may fly by the seat of their pants and be comfortable with it. However, finding a system that works for you and your lifestyle will give you the best chance of succeeding as a busy mom.

Time management is the process of planning and organizing how you allocate your time to specific tasks and activities to achieve your goals efficiently. It involves setting priorities, breaking down tasks, and allocating the appropriate amount of time to each one. Effective time management allows busy mom from scratch cooking to make the most of their time, reduce stress, and improve productivity. Here are the key components of time management:

Setting Goals:

Clearly define short-term and long-term goals. Knowing what you want to achieve helps you prioritize tasks and allocate time effectively. I do this in my calendar under monthly goals. It has helped me to motivate myself to accomplish tasks over a month. Looking back, I’m able to feel accomplished.

Prioritization:

Identify tasks based on their importance and urgency. Use methods such as the Eisenhower Matrix to categorize tasks into four quadrants: urgent and important, important but not urgent, urgent but not important, and neither urgent nor important. As a busy mom, this will look different to each of us. I prioritize cooking from scratch and sleeping schedules for example.

Planning:

Create a daily, weekly, or monthly schedule. Plan your day, outlining specific time slots for various activities and tasks. This helps avoid last-minute stress and ensures a structured approach to your work. If you’re not a planner this will probably look a bit more loose. I tend to take meat out of the freezer for the week and then figure out how much energy I have that day for the meals. If a kid did not sleep well the night before, I will probably utilize my slow cooker or air fryer for quick and hands-off meals.

To-Do Lists:

Create a to-do list to keep track of tasks. Break down larger tasks into smaller, more manageable sub-tasks. Check off completed items to monitor progress. I tend to create my to-do lists monthly and then broken down each week on a Sunday when I’m preparing for the upcoming week. When I write out all of my appointments and tasks for the week I am better able to see a picture of my time and what will be needed.

Avoiding Procrastination:

Procrastination can be a major obstacle to effective time management. Identify the reasons for procrastination and employ strategies to overcome it, such as breaking tasks into smaller steps or using the “Pomodoro Technique” with focused work intervals. I work best under pressure, so this key is not necessarily what I utilize. If you’re like me, procrastination may be what gets that fire lit at the last minute. Or you are someone who needs that extra time and doesn’t like leaving things to the last minute.

Delegation:

Recognize tasks that can be delegated to others. Delegating responsibilities can free up time for more critical or high-priority tasks. Have you been working with your children on learning life skills in the home? If not, I highly recommend you start. Teaching your child to do dishes, and make something in the kitchen may seem daunting in the beginning, but it sets them up with learning a life skill that will benefit them down the road.

Setting Realistic Expectations:

Be realistic about what you can accomplish in a given time frame. Setting unattainable goals can lead to frustration and stress. This is not my strong suit, whatsoever. I always put way too many items on my to-do list. I am working on this for sure.

Adaptability:

Recognize that unexpected events and changes may occur. Build flexibility into your schedule to accommodate unforeseen circumstances.

Effective time management is a valuable skill that can lead to increased productivity, reduced stress, and a better work-life balance. It involves a combination of planning, organization, and self-discipline.

What is a meal plan?

A meal plan is a structured approach to organizing and planning your daily or weekly meals. A busy mom from scratch meal plan involves pre-determining what you will eat and when to meet specific dietary or nutritional objectives. Meal plans can be designed for various purposes, including weight management, athletic training, health improvement, or simply to streamline the process of grocery shopping and meal preparation.

Meal plans can be created independently or with the assistance of nutritionists, dietitians, or online resources. They are often tailored to an individual’s specific goals, preferences, and dietary requirements. While meal plans can be effective tools for achieving nutritional objectives, it’s important to create a plan that is sustainable and realistic for your lifestyle. Additionally, consulting with a healthcare professional or nutrition expert can provide personalized guidance based on your unique needs and circumstances.

My family planner is a busy mom’s best friend. I leave it out on the desk in the living space to make it easily available to my husband if he is ever curious about our schedule, meals, or appointments.

Pantry staples

Making sure that I have my go-to pantry staples in the home is a must for this busy momma. A busy mom from scratch pantry staple can make all the difference when getting food into your family’s bellies.

Some of the busy mom from scratch pantry staples are:

lemon juice
black beans
onions, red/yellow
pasta
rice
flour
cheese
canned tuna/salmon
mustard
honey
organic rolled oats
milk
coffee (that’s just for me so I can function)

Favorite Breakfast Recipes

These are tried and true breakfast favorites in my home. These are also the two meals I have been working with my kids on learning how to master making. From my 2-year-old to my 11-year-old, they have all helped me many times in the kitchen to learn a new skill.

Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal

This is my toddler’s favorite meal at any time of the day right now. She is always asking for oatmeal. If my picky toddler loves this, I’m sure everyone in your family will too. It’s packed with protein and carbohydrates to get your energy started and belly full for the day.

Equipment:

9×13 baking dish

Ingredients:

6 eggs
4 cups rolled oats
2 cups applesauce
2 cups milk (can substitute for water)
1-2 tablespoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
oil or lard for pan
1 tablespoon sugar (optional)
1/4 cup butter (optional)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350.
Grease your baking dish with oil or lard of choice.
Mix all the ingredients except the butter into the baking dish.
If desired, top the oatmeal mixture with cut-up pieces of the butter.
Bake for 30-35 minutes or until eggs are cooked through in the oatmeal.
Serve in a bowl with milk if desired.

Notes: We have been adding beet powder to everything since Christmas has come and gone. It’s a nice added boost of nutrition and a fun color every so often.

You can add molasses with the sugar to give a vitamin boost as well. No more than 1 teaspoon is recommended.

Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal

This is my toddler's favorite meal at any time of the day right now. She is always asking for oatmeal. If my picky toddler loves this, I'm sure everyone in your family will too. It's packed with protein and carbohydrates to get your energy started and belly full for the day.

Print Recipe

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 19

Course Breakfast

Servings 8 servings

Equipment

1 9×13 baking dish

Ingredients

6 eggs
4 cups rolled oats
2 cups applesauce
2 cups milk can substitute for water
1-2 tablespoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup diced apple or other fruit (optional)
oil or lard for pan
1 tablespoon sugar optional
1/4 cup butter optional

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350.
Grease your baking dish with oil or lard of choice.
Mix all the ingredients except the butter into the baking dish.
If desired, top the oatmeal mixture with cut-up pieces of the butter.
Bake for 30-35 minutes or until eggs are cooked through in the oatmeal.
Serve in a bowl with milk if desired.

Video

Notes

We have been adding beet powder to everything since Christmas has come and gone. It’s a nice added boost of nutrition and a fun color every so often.

You can add molasses with the sugar to give a vitamin boost as well. No more than 1 teaspoon is recommended.

Keyword oatmeal

Sourdough Dutch Baby Pancake with a Twist

We love our sourdough in this house and I sometimes let my starter accumulate too much discard. This is a great recipe to help utilize the discard and not be wasteful with it. This is a very versatile recipe and one we change in our home quite often depending on what we have in the kitchen.

sourdough dutch baby pancake in a cast iron skillet

Equipment:

large cast iron skillet about 10-12″

Ingredients:

2 cups sourdough discard
6-8 eggs
1/3 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 tablespoon sugar or honey
1/4 cup butter or lard of choice

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425.
Heat a cast iron skillet on the stovetop or in the oven with the butter until melted.
Combine all other ingredients into a bowl and mix well. If you have an abundance of eggs and like poofy pancakes add 8 eggs. If it’s winter and your chickens aren’t laying well, use 6 eggs.
Once butter is melted in the skillet, pour the batter mixture into the skillet and bake for 15-20 minutes. It will be set, slightly browned but still have some of the butter making it look “wet”.
Serve with fresh fruit, maple syrup, yogurt, whipped cream, or any other possibilities.

Notes: We have been adding beet powder to everything since Christmas has come and gone. It’s a nice added boost of nutrition and a fun color every so often.